Does my 469 have an AIS transponder?

[virtualburton]

Hi all, apologies if this is too much of a noob question, but I have done a fair amount of research and can’t seem to find anything conclusive.

I have a 2013 S0469. It has Raymarine throughout, but last year the radio was replaced by a Standard Horizon Matrix AIS/GPS GX2200. Looking at the specs for this radio, it receives AIS but does not transmit.  I spent a lot of time looking through the detailed 469 wiring diagrams and it shows an AIS unit. All of the Raymarine equipment was updated last year but for whatever reason the previous owner installed this standard Horizon radio instead of Raymarine.

What I’m wondering is if the boat came with an AIS transponder when it was new, and if so how can I find it to confirm?

I also read several AIS related threads on this site and some were saying that adding a transponder is about $450. I looked at the Raymarine combination VHF radio and transponder but it was much higher than $450. Does anyone have any recommendation for an AIS transponder that would work with this radio/Raymarine set up, or maybe I should just bite the bullet and buy the Raymarine VHF and AIS because I want fully functioning AIS.

Thanks in advance.

[webone]

If you have an AIS transponder you can look yourself up on Marine Traffic or find another boat with a receiver. You should be seeing other vessels on your chartplotter but that will only confirm receive mode. I have a Vesper Marine, about 500bucks ,five years and counting, used throughout the Caribbean. Raymarine sometimes doesn't play nice with others.
Fantastic technology.

[moonshadow]

On my 2014 SO469 the AIS unit is under the Stb forward seat in Salon, as is the elect compass sensor. The raymarine MFD units usually have the ability to search for what is connected on the system within the setup menu. If you need help I have found that Raymarine tech help on the phone is great and willing to talk me through things like this.

[Caxton]

You could also check to see if you have two GPS antennas, one for your chartplotter and one for your AIS.  AIS requires a completely independent GPS antenna by law.

[Pyrat]

Hi Dave. The GX 2200 is AIS receive only. You did have an AIS transmitter. I saw it when you came in for survey. It is a separate stand alone unit from the radio and would have been locally installed so you would not have any documentation other than the manual. It is not currently on. Get the free Marine Traffic or Vessel Tracker app. Turn your electronics breaker on and then see if you can find yourself on the app. It will show up with the previous boat name. You will need to change your MMSI number on the radio. This may mean you will have to return the radio to the manufacturer to do so. Then reprogram the AIS with your identity. Details will be in your manual but ask around to see if it can be done locally. You may want this to wait until the off season and just live with the previous name on AIS as the trans border backlog is horrendous. I am still awaiting Yanmar parts.

[virtualburton]

Perfect. Thanks for the detailed info everyone.

Pyrat - sorry to hear you’re still waiting. Jeez!

David

[virtualburton]

Thanks to Pyrat we were able to confirm that I do in fact have an AIS transponder. It’s working fine, but I don’t know where it is in the boat! I looked at the locations on posts but it wasn’t there, but obviously it’s in here somewhere!

thanks all, 
david