User's Manual

Page 14
Copyright © 2015, Vesper Marine Ltd. All rights are reserved
Type Field
This is a list of AtoN types as defined in IALA Recommendation A-126 – the use of the
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) in Marine Aids to Navigation Services. Options are:
Type of AtoN is not specified
Reference point
RACON
Fixed structure off shore,
Reserved for future use
Light, without sectors
Light, with sectors
Leading Light Front
Leading Light Rear
Beacon, Cardinal N
Beacon, Cardinal E
Beacon, Cardinal S
Beacon, Cardinal W
Beacon, Port hand
Beacon, Starboard hand
Beacon, Preferred Channel port hand
Beacon, Preferred Channel starboard hand
Beacon, Isolated danger
Beacon, Safe water
Beacon, Special mark
Cardinal Mark N
Cardinal Mark E
Cardinal Mark S
Cardinal Mark W
Port hand Mark
Starboard hand Mark
Preferred Channel Port hand
Preferred Channel Starboard hand
Isolated danger
Safe Water
Special Mark
Light Vessel / LANBY/Rigs
Name Field
You must name each AtoN to facilitate easier identification. This name will be visible to any
vessel with AIS receiving equipment in range of the Virtual AIS Beacon.
Latitude and Longitude Fields
The exact location of the AtoN should be entered in these fields.
Mode Field
This field allows each AtoN to be configured to use transmission Mode A, B or C.
Mode A allows an AtoN message to be sent on both channels with each AtoN message
alternating channels. Mode B sends the message on both channels during each interval. It
is important to note that although using Mode A allows more AtoN marks to be transmitted
from a Virtual AIS Beacon each AtoN message is only transmitted over one channel in each
reporting interval not two channels as they are in Mode B. Because Mode B uses both
channels for the same message it provides the best probability of reception (see diagram
below).
Mode C provides an option to send the messages on one channel only. When configuring
this mode options are; C1 (channel 1) or C2 (channel 2). This mode is the least likely of the
three modes to be used.