mcmurdo Smartfind M10, User Manual

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m) away from other VHF antennas or vertical metal objects and ideally
install the antenna on a different vertical plane from other VHF
antennas. In several tests, mounting two VHF antennas next to each
other typically reduces the transmitting range to both antennas by 50-
70%.

GPS is not fixed: If your GPS antenna is not connected or setup
correctly, your transponder will see other vessels fine, but you will not
be sending out your vessel position. All AIS transponders need a good
GPS fix before it can send out any type of transmission. The colour
and state of the LEDs on the transponder indicate if the unit is in
transmission mode or not.

The location of the VHF antenna is directly related to AIS transmitting
range. The VHF antenna should be installed as high as possible.
The silent mode (Tx off) on Smartfind M10 is not
working.

Silent mode can be configured on Smartfind M10 by connecting the
Silent Switch wires in the cable together.
Even though my Smartfind M10 is transmitting, why do
some vessels with AIS take a long time to see my
vessel name or not see it at all?

AIS Class B users should keep in mind that Class B transponders do
not broadcast position updates as often as Class A commercial
transponders. The full static information
(such as vessel’s name)