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Quark-elec Manual

https://www.quark-elec.com

1 of 13

2019

V2.0

QK-A028 NMEA 2000 AIS Receiver

With GPS

Features

Two independent receivers monitor both AIS channels (161.975MHz &162.025MHz) and decode

both channels simultaneously

Sensitivity up to -106 dBm@30% PER

AIS reception range: up to 45 nautical miles

BNC connector for 50 Ohm VHF antenna

Powered SMA connector for 50 Ohm GPS antenna. Built-in GPS module to provide positional data,

simply connect GPS antenna

Combined GPS and AIS messages output as a seamless stream of data through NMEA 2000/0183

RS422 and USB simultaneously

NMEA 2000 message output to NMEA 2000 network

NMEA 0183 message output through USB

NMEA 0183 message output through NMEA 0183 RS422 cable (included)

Plug & Play connectivity with chart plotters and PCs

Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS (included driver may be required for

Windows PCs)

This device does not come pre-loaded with map data. We advise using openCPN for map data.

Some Apps may charge for map use.

Summary of Contents for QK-A028

Page 1: ... module to provide positional data simply connect GPS antenna Combined GPS and AIS messages output as a seamless stream of data through NMEA 2000 0183 RS422 and USB simultaneously NMEA 2000 message output to NMEA 2000 network NMEA 0183 message output through USB NMEA 0183 message output through NMEA 0183 RS422 cable included Plug Play connectivity with chart plotters and PCs Compatible with Window...

Page 2: ... 6 6 1 Power up 6 7 Antennas 7 8 Connection to Output Devices 8 8 1 Connection via NMEA 2000 8 8 2 Connection via NMEA 0183 8 8 3 Connection via USB Port 8 8 3 1 Will your device need a driver 9 8 3 2 Checking the USB connection Windows 9 9 Status LED S 10 10 Chart software 11 10 1 OpenCPN example USB setup 11 10 2 Maps 11 11 Support AIS message 12 12 Specification 12 13 Limited Warranty and Notic...

Page 3: ...tive splitter will protect the A028 and your other VHF equipment VHF radio If not the two signals will significantly damage each device connected as well as reducing the signal If using two VHF antennas place them as far away from each other as possible at least 3 metres Connect GPS if desired For best results the GPS antenna should be located outside where the sky is visible 3 Connect to NMEA 200...

Page 4: ... vessels is by Very High Frequency VHF digital transmissions There are a number of types of AIS device like Class A transceivers Class B transceivers AIS base stations Aids to Navigation AtoN and AIS receivers A028 is a compact dual channel VHF AIS receiver and is able to receive information from both AIS frequencies simultaneously It includes an integrated GPS module that can track up to 22 satel...

Page 5: ...and for error detection Similar to NMEA 0183 NMEA 2000 defines standard data formats and definitions but in addition provides more extensive network management rules for identifying nodes on the network sending commands to devices and for requesting data Besides the greater amount of control and integration provided NMEA 2000 replaces with a single cable the wiring of up to 50 NMEA 0183 interconne...

Page 6: ... your device Alternatively connect it using a Quark elec Protocol Bridge QK AS03 https www quark elec com product qk as03 nmea0183 to garmin bridge board Figure 5 NMEA 0183 connector 1 Brown NMEA 0183 OUT 3 Blue NMEA 0183 OUT 4 Black NC USB connector A micro USB connector outputs the NMEA messages A028 sends out NMEA 0183 messages via USB Windows PCs may require you to install a driver on CD and w...

Page 7: ...iew of the horizon Large obstructions might shade the AIS radio communication from certain directions giving uneven coverage AIS communication system frequencies are close to the duplex channels used for marine communication so the antenna should be separated as much as possible ideally at least 3 0 meters from the voice communication VHF antenna to avoid unnecessary adjacent channel interference ...

Page 8: ...ted NMEA 2000 cable which can be connected directly to the N2K backbone Figure 7 N2K connector 8 2 Connection via NMEA 0183 The NMEA0183 connector provides the links to a chart plotter and other instruments It consists of two differential output wires NMEA 0183 output operates at a baud rate of 38400bps The connected chart plotter should be conFigureured at this rate to receive accurate data Figur...

Page 9: ...r needs to be done if it is listed Linux No driver is required for Linux When plugged into the computer A028 will show up as a USB CDC device on dev ttyACM0 8 3 2 Checking the USB connection Windows After the driver is installed run the Device Manager and check the COM number this is the number associated with the USB port you are using The port number is the number that Windows assigns as an inpu...

Page 10: ...ate power AIS and GPS status respectively Three LEDs turn on and then off after initialization When operating these LEDs flash as below Figure 11 LED s Power Top LED flashes at 3 second intervals AIS Middle LED Flashes for each valid AIS message received GPS Bottom LED Flashes every second while receiving a valid GPS message ...

Page 11: ...e You now need to add data to openCPN via your Quark elec instruments Click on the Options tab at the top The settings tab looks like a spanner as seen below in the highlighted image 2 In the options at the top of the menu will be a tab button that says Connections Click on this 3 Click on Add Connection button highlighted in the picture below 4 Select Serial 5 Select from the drop down the COM nu...

Page 12: ...ecification Frequency bands 161 975MHz 162 025MHz Operating temperature 25 C to 80 C Storage temperature 25 C to 85 C DC supply 12 0V 0 5V Maximum supply current 75mA AIS receive sensitivity 105dBm 30 PER GPS receiver sensitivity 162dBm NMEA data format ITU NMEA 0183 format and NMEA 2000 PGNs NMEA output data rate 38 4kbps 13 Limited Warranty and Notices Quark elec warrants this product to be free...

Page 13: ...nges Comments 1 0 14 10 2018 Initial release 2 0 15 1 2019 Product release 2 1 10 10 2019 Support 129041 129802 PGNs 14 Glossary NMEA 2000 N2K is a serial data network operating at 250 Kbit second utilizing the Controller Area Network CAN The CAN bus was originally developed for the automotive industry but is now used in numerous industrial applications It is a communications standard used for con...

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