When navigating
shipping lanes and busy harbors, the ability to monitor speed and direction of other
vessels is particularly important. Automatic Identification System technology,
originating from the shipping industry, has been a great help to recreational
boaters in these areas.
Shakespeare says it offers AIS antennas in various styles, specifically
designed to meet the broader bandwidth requirements of popular AIS transceivers.
The 4-foot
Shakespeare Style 396-1-AIS features commercial-grade construction with brass
and copper elements, a white, heavy-duty fiberglass radome, and an SO-239
connector at the base. U-bolts are included for mast mounting.
Another
4-foot fiberglass model, the Galaxy 5396-AIS, has a high-gloss polyurethane
finish that Shakespeare says won't turn yellow in the sun. Its durable
construction includes brass and copper elements and a 1-inch-14 thread
stainless steel ferrule. Shakespeare
supplies 20 feet of RG-8/X cable and a PL-259 connector for easy installation.
From Shakespeare’s
Squatty Body series, the lightweight, low-profile 3-foot 5215-AIS has a
stainless steel whip that sailboat owners have come to favor. Designed for
masthead mounting with a supplied stainless L-bracket, this slim antenna has an
SO-239 connector at the base. Its tin-plated, copper wire coil is sealed
against the elements for superior performance, Shakespeare says.
Simple
installation and compact size characterize the 5250-AIS Skinny Mini, the
company says. This 3-foot stainless steel whip utilizes a chrome-plated brass
canister, which minimizes the de-tuning associated with plastic canisters. The
antenna comes with 15-feet of RG-58 cable and a PL-259 connector. A mount with
a center-hole such as Shakespeare styles 4187 or 5187 is required.