Nomad AIS transponder is back

Appeared in spring 2017, the Nomad to Digital Yacht was the first, and the only one, portable AIS transponder. I carried out a detailed test the following summer, reported on this blog (¹). We feared that this excellent device would be abandoned, because it has been unavailable for several months, but not at all ! Right now it is reborn in a new and improved version : Nomad-2.

Now supplied with the combined antenna GV30 VHF/GPS, much more efficient than that of its predecessor, the Nomad-2 retains the same box format as the previous one, lightweight and easy to transport, equipped with the same integrated power supply via its USB connector. The latter, in addition to the power supply, simultaneously allows data transfer when connected to a PC or Mac.

The Nomad-2 can be setup as desired by its interface web interne or the application ProAIS2 (V.1.2) available for downloading (Windows/macOS) from Digital Yacht website. As this device is intended to be used on different boats (conveyors, sailing schools) it is possible to reset the MMSI code by sending a request to Digital Yacht support, and without having to return the device.

Improvements

Front and back of the Nomad 2

Besides the antenna, several technical improvements are to be noted :

• The built-in web interface, which did not exist in the previous model, allows configuration of the device from a tablet or smartphone with its web browser.
• The Nomad 2 TCP/IP protocol supports simultaneously UDP mode (default mode) and TCP mode (capable of supporting up to 3 simultaneous connections). In total up to 7 available connections.
• By default, the device operates in “Access Point” mode, creating its own Wi-Fi network.. But it can be set in "Station" mode as a client of an existing network. In this case it keeps the combined “Access Point” mode active. This allows you to connect directly in the event of a deficiency in the on-board network router..

The web interface allows, in addition to the configuration, to check AIS status, the voltage of the power supply, display NMEA data, enable/disable the "Silent" mode, perform firmware updates.

Features :

• Alimentation USB 5 Volts
• Weight (with antenna) : 825 grammes
• Box dimensions : l.120 × P.135 × H.50 mm

Already available from our partner iTabNav.fr.

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(¹) Nomad test – Digital Yacht’s autonomous AIS
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