Product support: B350 / B360

An issue has been recently highlighted whereby the B360 may enter a state where all LEDs flash when powered on and the device stops transmitting. This software update resolves this issue.

Software version: 150200.01.23.01

Please download PCN 66 here – https://em-trak.sharefile.com/d-s94d6b764684246faabd9eda25ad97d4e

With the proAIS2 software open on your PC/Laptop:

• Select the AIS device from the drop-down list at the top of the page.
• Click Connect.
• Enter your vessel’s details, including MMSI in the relevant fields.
• Select a Vessel Type appropriate for your vessel from the drop-down list.
• Click Write Configuration to save your configuration settings.

Setting the WiFi Configuration on proAIS2 software

• Under WiFi Tab General Settings;
• You can leave the default IP address or set a different IP address depending on your network.
• Next, set the Port number or leave the default in place.
• Under Access point mode;
• Give the SSID a name or leave it as default
• Click Write Configuration to save your configuration settings

Connecting iNavX to your B360 Transceiver

Go to the device home screen

Select “Settings” > “Wi-Fi” > Set “Wi-Fi” to “ON” > Select “AIS Class B or SSID Name you set in ProAis2”.

Launch iNavX

• Select Instrumentsfrom the bottom of the screen​​
• At the top left-hand side of the screen select TCP/IP 

• Enter the same Host (IP address) as set on ProAIS2 software e.g “10.0.1.2”
• Enter Port number as set on ProAIS2 software e.g “2114”
• Set “Location Services” to “ON”. Alternatively, you can enable position output from the B360 by ticking the x next to RMC- Recommended Minimum Data under the configuration tab.

• Enable “Link“
  

If you’re having difficulty displaying AIS on your chart plotter, please follow the instructions below.

1. Some old Chart plotters do not support AIS so you’ll need to confirm compatibility by checking the manual for reference to AIS and/or VDM.
2. Check the receiving port can be configured to 38400 baud on the chart plotter. 
3. Make sure it’s connected correctly by simply connecting the NMEA0183 Transmit wires on the B350/B360 (Brown is TX+, Blue is TX-) to the corresponding NMEA0183 Receive wires on your compatible Chart plotter device. You’ll need to connect the positive wires together and the negative wires together. For example:
   • TX+ to RX+
   • TX-  to RX –

The user manual details which cables do what, but for your reference, please see below for a table explaining the connections on the B350.

Please see below for a table explaining the connections on the B360.

If you need any further assistance, please contact us at support@em-trak.com and we’ll be glad to help.

If the internal GPS antenna is used, the AIS transceiver should be mounted in a location with a clear sky view. The internal GPS antenna is mounted below the top surface of the transceiver enclosure.

If you’re unable to get a GPS fix where the unit is installed, we would recommend getting an external GPS antenna. You can purchase the GPS100 from our website here – https://em-trak.com/accessories/

Custom Install

If you’re unable to install proAIS2 on your Windows PC or laptop. We would advise making sure all outstanding windows updates are installed. Alternatively, you can select the option of not installing the USB driver during the installation as shown below by choosing Custom and selecting Entire feature will be unavailable under USB Device Drivers. This will allow your laptop to connect to the internet and download the drivers automatically via windows update.

Installing Outstanding Windows Update

Please download and install all outstanding Windows UpdatesYou will need to go into the Control Panel for each operating system as shown below

Windows 10

Windows 8

Windows 7

If the problem persists please contact support@em-trak.com for assistance.

If you’re using the default Wi-Fi configuration on your B360 it will be identified as ’em-trak’ on the latest version of the Navionics Boating app.

Otherwise, please follow the steps below to add the B360 manually:

• Connect to your AIS SSID from your Android or iOS Wi-Fi Settings page
• Once connected, open up the Navionics app
• Next select Menu on the Navionics app
• Select Paired Devices
• At the bottom of the page select ADD DEVICE
• Under TCP enter a name
• Enter your Host (IP address)
• Enter your Port number
• Click Save
  The app should start receiving data

Establishing a connection

To connect to proAIS2 you will need to select the relevant device (usually ‘AIS Class B Transceiver’ for Windows and ‘AIS Virtual COM port’ for macOS) from the drop down menu at the top of the screen before pressing the ‘Connect’ button. If there is no suitable device to select, please ensure the USB cable is securely connected and that the appropriate LEDs are illuminated to indicate it has initialised. If you are still unable to connect to proAIS2 after verifying the connection please contact support@em-trak.com for assistance.

‘Configuration’ tab

Vessel Details:

You will need to populate these fields using the details from your ship license.

The MMSI number will be the same as the one issued for your VHF radio. If you have not been issued with an MMSI number you will need to contact your local authority. Please contact support@em-trak.com if your MMSI number has already been configured and you need to change it. The remaining vessel data can be edited using proAIS2 once configured. Configuration of the call sign is not required if you do not have one.

Ship’s Dimensions and GNSS Antenna location:

Enter the position of your GPS antenna (in metres) in reference to the four dimensions of your boat. If your unit is using its internal GPS antenna you will need to enter the position of your unit.

Configure Baud Rates:

This setting controls the speed at which data is output from the NMEA 0183 port(s). You will need to ensure it matches the baud rate of the connected equipment (for example, a chartplotter or VHF radio). Typically, chartplotters require 38,400 baud and VHF radios require 4,800 baud. AIS data should not be configured at baud rates lower than 38,400 – this is because messages may be dropped when travelling through areas of high traffic where there is a lot of data to process.

Output GNSS Sentences:

Tick the boxes as required to output the GPS sentences over the NMEA 0183 port(s). This will usually be defined by the external equipment you’re connecting to, but if unknown RMC is typically required to provide position and SOG/COG. If you require GPS data (PGNs) to be output over the NMEA 2000 port you will need to tick the RMC box.

GNSS configuration:

This setting controls the combinations of satellite constellations which are used to get a position fix. It is not supported by the B100, B300, or B330 as they use GPS only.

Long range broadcast:

This setting enables/disables the transmission of Message 27, used for long range detection. It’s transmitted on a different channel (frequency) and typically received by satellites. This proAIS2 feature is supported by Class B SO products only.

Please note that any applied configuration will need to be saved by pressing the ‘Write Configuration’ button.

‘GNSS Status’ tab

Use this tab to check the performance of your GPS antenna. This is particularly useful if you’re unsure where you need to mount your unit if it uses an internal GPS antenna. A good GPS fix is 30-40dBHz, although this may be difficult to achieve if your unit is using an internal GPS antenna and there’s an obstruction interfering with the signal.

‘Other Vessels’ tab

This tab shows the vessels in range. The vessels can be sorted by selecting the appropriate parameter at the top of the field.

‘Diagnostics’ tab

Checklist:

If your unit is fully configured and installed correctly every parameter should have a green tick against it.

Internal Data:

This field displays software versions, serial numbers, and operational/performance data. You may be requested for this information if you contact em-trak customer support for assistance.

‘VSWR’ is Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, and is an indicator of VHF antenna performance. A good VSWR is 3:1 or less, and can be affected by factors such as length or quality of cable and type of VHF antenna connected. If it exceeds the threshold a red cross will appear against AIS Antenna in the checklist field.

‘Power supply voltage’ reports the voltage received at the unit. There may be a small drop in voltage between the battery / power source and the unit, depending on the length of cable. External power (12-24V) is required for the unit to receive and transmit.

Status:

Reflects the LED indicator status on your unit. Select the ‘Silent Mode’ button to enable / disable silent mode, where the blue LED will illuminate if enabled.

Statistics:

Displays the number of messages that have been received and transmitted.

Messages:

Occasionally messages will be output in this field depending on the operational status of your product.

Class B/CS products routinely output ‘CP busy’ or ‘TX attempt failed’ messages; these are normal and relate to the way that Carrier Sense operates, where it needs to listen out for a free slot before it can transmit. You may also see a message relating to RX1 / RX2 and DSC; this is also normal and indicates when one of the receivers is monitoring the DSC channel on a regular, time-shared basis.

Alarms:

This field displays all active alarms. The alarm will be indicated with a corresponding red LED, either flashing (high VSWR) or solid (other hardware-related failure). If the conditions change and the alarm is no longer active, it will disappear from the list and the red LED will stop.

‘Wi-Fi’ tab

Use this tab to configure the W-Fi interface on your unit. The configurable parameters will differ between the B330 / B360 products and the newer B200 / B900 Series products; the specific details are covered in the product manuals. This tab is only available on products that support Wi-Fi.

As with the vessel data configuration, you will need to press the ‘Write Configuration’ button to save any changes.

‘Serial Data’ tab

Raw serial data is output on this tab. It can also be used to log the serial data to a file (which may be requested for diagnostic purposes if you contact em-trak for support), and there’s a field to enter command(s), if you have requested a configuration that isn’t supported directly by proAIS2.

‘VDR’ tab

Your position is automatically logged every time your vessel moves more than 10 meters, and this tab can be used to download that data from a selectable date range. The VDR feature is only supported on Wi-Fi products, and this proAIS2 tab is currently available for the B330 and B360 only.

If you have a question relating to proAIS2, and it isn’t covered in this article, please contact support@em-trak.com