377 wrote in news:e862609d-7bee-4afa-be3c-
:

On Jun 11, 3:34*am, Geoff Schultz wrote:
Has anyone seen any used AIS class A transponders for sale? *I do
enoug
h
off-shore sailing to want a class A instead of a class B.

-- Geoffwww.GeoffSchultz.org

I bought a brand new ACR/Nauticast class A AIS transponder on ebay
for $1100. It was sold by a seller in Singapore who lists high end
commercial marine gear from time to time. He had a high reserve
($1800?) in the first auction and nobody bid high enough. I made him
the $1100 offer and he eventually took it. Shipping was expensive,
about $75.

http://www.acrelectronics.com/global...balwatch2.html

At $1100 it was not cheap but still way lower than list price. It
lacked cables and GPS antenna, but I found a 5 VDC amplified GPS
antenna on eBay for $10 that was plug and play (SMA connector). I saw
a nearly new Furuno class A AIS go for about $900 on ebay a while
back.

My ACR AIS Xponder runs on 24 VDC and my boat is 12 VDC, but I can
find a bunch of easy ways to convert 12 to 24, including a cheap
inverter and AC supply. I am sure there is a linear regulator insdie
that probably knocks down 24 to 12 VDC, but I dont want to modify
anything in case I need factory service.

My boat is a commercial fishing boat but small enough that AIS is not
mandatory. I sometimes fish in foggy crowded waters off San Francisco
and wanted the best AIS I could afford. The more frequent
transmissions of class A and the large number of message options
appealed to me. I also wanted a self contained unit that didnt need a
laptop or anything else.

Mark

I've been watching for used AIS transponders on Ebay for a while and
haven't seen any. That's why I asked here. I agree with your reasoning
for wanting one. I just ordered a Comar CSB-200 class B transponder
based upon my research. I'm also considering an active radar reflector.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org