T&T: AIS

[David H Sorenson]

I am certainly aware of AIS, but figured we would probably never get one,
so I have not paid a great deal of attention to the matter. However, we
do plan to do the loop in the future and recent postings here and
elsewhere have made clear how helpful AIS is on the inland rivers.
Therefore, a couple of questions for the infinite wisdom of the list:
1. I presume that an AIS system requires at least one or possibly two
additional VHF antennas. How many to be exact?
2. I understand that most recreational boats will use a passive Class B
receive-only type of AIS. Is an active mode desirable (or permissible)
and if so, how much does it cost versus receive only mode?
3. Does the AIS receiver interface with a PC-based chartplotting system
or can it work directly with a dedicated chartplotter. If so, which
types? Is the interface by USB or 232 serial cables?
David Sorenson
Duluth