Nomad, an AIS Classe B mobile transponder

The company Digital Yacht propose Nomad, the first AIS transponder class B mobile with Wi-Fi interface.

The Nomad is supplied with a portable VHF antenna of 25 cm equipped with a sucker and a 4 metres cable, and with a built-in GPS antenna. USB and Wi-Fi interfaces will allow the use of the device with many navigation and charting application for iOS devices, Android, PC and Mac.

The power supply and data transmission are through USB allowing Nomad to be powered from any USB source. So it can be powered through a computer, an USB charger, an USB external battery or with an USB/12V cigarette lighter adapter. A noter que l’antenne pourra servir d’antenne VHF de secours, in the case of dismasting for example, au moyen d’un raccord convertisseur PL259/BNC.
The Nomad is featured with a Wi-Fi access-point with TCP/IP protocol allowing for up to 7 simultaneous connections.

This device should be useful for boaters who need a portable solution to navigate and receive GPS data and AIS targets on their computers, tablets or smartphones. Le Nomad sera particulièrement utile aux professionnels du nautisme, as the skippers-conveyors, and boat owners preferring an easy-to-install and easily transportable system.

However, sans numéro MMSI (¹) programmé, the Nomad will act only as a receiver and transmit GPS and AIS targets data through Wi-Fi and USB . For professionals who frequently change the boat, particulièrement les skippers de convoyage et les formateurs, il faudra pour activer l’émetteur pour chaque bateau reprogrammer le numéro MMSI qui lui a été attribué. Cela suppose d’utiliser le logiciel de programmation proAIS2 (Windows/MacOS) ou AISConfig (Android) qui permettent la configuration du Nomad pour chaque nouveau bateau, and request Digital Yacht for the executable utility (Windows uniquement) permettant le reset du numéro MMSI.

Features :

• Power supply : USB 5V. 0,5A
• Interface Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Protocole TCP/IP
• Dimensions : 12 x 13,5 x 5 cm wide
• Weight : 425 gr.
• Protection : IPx5
• Prix annoncé : 715 euros TTC

J’aurai l’occasion de tester cet appareil en mer prochainement.

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(¹) Maritime Mobile Service Itontity
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