Can I use an existing marine VHF antenna with an AIS receiver or transponder?
Yes, you can use a splitter to share your existing VHF antenna to your VHF/DSC radio and your AIS receiver. You must use an active splitter that automatically disconnects the signal to the AIS receiver if a transmission is detected from the VHF radio. Milltech Marine sells a three active VHF Antenna Splitter solutions for use with AIS receivers and transponders. Note that the Comar AST 100 Splitter is the only product that can be used with an AIS transponder. If you use a common T-splitter and then broadcast on the VHF radio, it is possible that you could damage the AIS receiver. Since you have two receiving devices on one antenna, you may also experience some small amount of signal degradation. While broadcasting on the VHF radio, you will likely see some interruption of incoming AIS signals. Since AIS broadcasts from each ship are repeated every few seconds, this is not normally noticeable in your tracking software. For best performance, use a dedicated VHF antenna that is mounted aw
Yes, you can use a splitter to share your existing VHF antenna to your VHF/DSC radio and your AIS receiver. You must use an active splitter that automatically disconnects the signal to the AIS receiver if a transmission is detected from the VHF radio. Milltech Marine sells a three active VHF Antenna Splitter solutions for use with AIS receivers and transponders. The Comar AST 100 Splitter is the only product that can be used with an AIS transponder. Since you have two receiving devices on one antenna, you may also experience some small amount of signal degradation. While broadcasting on the VHF radio, you will likely see some interruption of incoming AIS signals. Since AIS broadcasts from each ship are repeated every few seconds, this is not normally noticeable in your tracking software.
