I tried to control as many variables as possible by using the two 4′ VHF antennas on Panbo(at) for all my testing. In my on-the-water testing with the Quark-elec A026 I found evidence that the AIS receiver in this small, portable, $120 unit was less sensitive than the much more expensive ACR AISLink-CB2 I was using for comparison. I’d prefer an option for a direct 12-volt power source, but Quark-elec does also sell a small 12v to USB power converter that includes LEDs to indicate battery status. I suspect this is because of uncertain power delivery from this type of power supply. The device is powered by its micro-USB port and Quark-elec includes a note that it shouldn’t be powered by a cigarette lighter style USB power supply. Quark-elec sells one for a little under $10 and I was also able to find one on Amazon. The A026 uses a BNC connector for its VHF antenna so, if you have a PL-259 connector on your VHF antenna you will need to get a BNC to SO239 adapter. In my testing, everything worked out of the box and I began seeing AIS targets moments after connecting it.
It comes preconfigured to act as an access point so you connect your devices to its WiFi SSID, point your app to its default of TCP port 2000 and data should start flowing.
The $120 (excluding VAT and plus shipping from the United Kingdom) QK-A026 AIS Receiver with NMEA Multiplexer + WiFi + GPS is a small, metal, black-box with connections for VHF, GPS, and WiFi antennas, terminal blocks for NMEA 0183 in and out, and a USB port for power and configuration.
This little box could be the perfect answer for day sailors, delivery captains, and any boater looking for an easy way to get AIS target and GPS data to a navigation app running on a tablet or phone, or to a PC or MFD. I’ve been testing their A026 AIS receiver with built-in GPS data output via WiFi, USB, or NMEA 0183 plus an 0183 input that can be multiplexed into its output stream. Geo-referenced, digital images of NOAA navigational charts.Quark-Elec offers quite an array of problem-solving marine electronic devices. NOAA’s Raster Navigation Charts (RNC) are Up to about $220, but what about the charts? Through an agreement between the government and Maptech, the NOAA offersįree compatible electronic nautical charts.
Typical accuracy and quick satellite acquisition time.
Waterproof integrated antenna/receiver, 20 channel design, with 1 to 5 meter That draws power from the USB port, a compact size of 1 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 3/4", a T he other is the Zenstar III GPS with USB Connector for $119.95 andįeatures a 3 meter cable that connects to standard USB ports, an antenna & EGNOS enabled, NMEA compatible, & a magnetic housing for secure One is the iGPS USB GPS Receiver for $99.95Īnd features a 32 channel design, is WAAS Receiver, Maptech offers two compatible units. Laptop meets the minimum requirements to run this software. This is available for sale separately without chartsĪvailable for the low price of $99.95 from Print route plans and show your real-time GPS position right on the PC Is a real-time navigation program fully compatible with Maptech/BSB
Offshore Navigator GPS planning and chartplotting software Required to bring this together for under $225. (2) chartplotter software, (3) a GPS receiver, and (4) electronic raster nautical Computer that you can use on your boat, therefore,Ĭhartplotter out of your laptop, you need four things, (1) a laptop computer,