User's Manual

Operation
Page 19
5 Operation
5.1 Using the AIS transceiver
Once the unit has been configured it is ready for use. Providing
other vessels with AIS transceivers installed are within radio range
of your vessel you should see their details appear on your chart
plotter or PC. These vessels will also be able to see your vessel on
their chart plotter or PC. It may take up to six minutes for your full
vessel details to be visible to others.
Specific details of how to configure your chart plotter to make use of
the AIS transceiver features will be given in your chart plotter
manual. If you are using charting software running on a PC, please
refer to the instructions provided with your chart plotting software for
details of how to configure it to display AIS information.
5.2 Switch functions
The integrated switch on the top of the unit (see Figure 2) can be
configured either to trigger transmission of a "Safety Related
Message" or to place the unit into "Silent mode". This choice is
made during configuration of the unit using the proAIS application;
please refer to 4.4 for further information on the configuration
options.
Safety related message
When configured to transmit a safety related message (SRM) the
switch will initiate broadcast of an AIS message containing the
vessels MMSI along with the text "MAYDAY MAYDAY". The switch
must be pressed for at least two seconds to initiate this transmission
(to avoid accidental activation) and the blue indicator will illuminate
to indicate the message has been sent. Further safety related
messages cannot be sent until the blue indicator has extinguished
which will occur one minute after an SRM has been sent.
Silent mode
When configured to place the unit into "Silent mode", each press of
the switch will toggle the AIS transmitter on or off. The switch must
be depressed for two seconds to activate silent mode to avoid
accidental activation. When the transmitter is off, the amber and
blue indicators will be illuminated and the AIS transceiver's position
will not be broadcast to other vessels. The position of other vessels
will still be received by the unit.
Silent mode can be used if you wish to only receive AIS messages
from other vessels but keep your own details private from other AIS
users.
!
The SRM function is not a primary means of distress
call and cannot be relied upon as a means of distress
call.
!
Your vessel will not be displayed on other users, chart
plotters or PCs while your AIS transceiver is in silent
mode.