Garmin AIS 600: How to Program and Install Your AIS Device
Garmin AIS 600 Setup Software 13: A Guide for Beginners
If you are a boater who wants to enhance your situational awareness and safety on the water, you might want to consider installing a Garmin AIS 600 on your vessel. AIS stands for Automatic Identification System, which is a technology that allows you to receive and transmit information about your boat and other nearby vessels. In this article, we will explain what Garmin AIS 600 is, how to install it on your boat, and how to update its software to the latest version.
garmin ais 600 setup software 13
What is Garmin AIS 600?
Garmin AIS 600 is a device that enables you to send and receive AIS data over VHF frequencies. It is compatible with any chartplotter or display that supports NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 protocols. With Garmin AIS 600, you can see the position, speed, course, name, type, and other details of other boats within range on your screen. You can also share your own information with other vessels and authorities. This way, you can avoid collisions, navigate crowded waters, and communicate with other boaters more easily.
Features and benefits of Garmin AIS 600
Some of the features and benefits of Garmin AIS 600 are:
It has a dual-channel receiver that allows you to receive both Class A and Class B AIS signals simultaneously.
It has a built-in Class B transmitter that lets you broadcast your own information at up to five watts of output power.
It has an integrated GPS receiver that provides accurate position data for your boat.
It has a dedicated indicator light that shows the status of the device and alerts you of any errors or warnings.
It has a silence switch that allows you to turn off the transmitter temporarily if you want to maintain privacy or security.
It comes with a programming cable that allows you to configure your vessel information using a PC.
It is easy to install and use with any compatible display or chartplotter.
How to install Garmin AIS 600 on your boat
To install Garmin AIS 600 on your boat, you will need the following components:
A transceiver unit that contains the receiver, transmitter, GPS receiver, indicator light, silence switch, and ports for power, data, VHF antenna, GPS antenna, and USB flash drive.
A power cable that connects the transceiver unit to a 12-volt or 24-volt power source.
A data cable that connects the transceiver unit to a NMEA 2000 network or a NMEA 0183 device.
A VHF antenna that receives and transmits AIS signals over VHF frequencies.
A GPS antenna that receives GPS signals for position data.
A mounting bracket that secures the transceiver unit to a flat surface.
The installation process involves four steps:
Step 1: Mount the transceiver unit
You should mount the transceiver unit in a dry and well-ventilated location that is away from sources of heat, interference, or vibration. You should also make sure that there is enough space around the unit for cable connections and air circulation. You can use the mounting bracket and screws provided in the package to attach the unit to a flat surface. You can also use an optional flush mount kit if you want to install the unit in a panel or console.
Step 2: Connect the power and data cables
You should connect the power cable to the red port on the back of the transceiver unit. You should then connect the other end of the power cable to a fuse block or circuit breaker that matches the voltage of your boat's battery. You should also connect a ground wire from the black port on the back of the transceiver unit to a common ground point on your boat.
You should connect the data cable to either the blue port or the green port on the back of the transceiver unit depending on whether you are using NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 protocol. You should then connect the other end of the data cable to your display or chartplotter according to its instructions. You should also make sure that both devices are set to use the same baud rate (38400 bps) for communication.
Step 3: Connect the VHF antenna and GPS antenna
You should connect the VHF antenna to the yellow port on the back of the transceiver unit using a coaxial cable. You should then mount the VHF antenna in a location that has a clear view of the sky and is at least one meter away from other antennas or metal objects. You should also adjust the angle of the VHF antenna according to its specifications.
You should connect the GPS antenna to the orange port on the back of the transceiver unit using a coaxial cable. You should then mount the GPS antenna in a location that has a clear view of the sky and is at least one meter away from other antennas or metal objects. You should also adjust the angle of the GPS antenna according to its specifications.
Step 4: Test the system
You should turn on the power source and check if the indicator light on the front of the transceiver unit shows green, which means that the device is working properly. You should also check if your display or chartplotter shows AIS data from other vessels within range. You can use the silence switch on the front of the transceiver unit to turn off the transmitter temporarily if you want to test only the receiver function. You can also use a programming cable and a PC to configure your vessel information using a software tool provided by Garmin.
What is Garmin AIS 600 Setup Software 13?
Garmin AIS 600 Setup Software 13 is a software update that improves the performance and functionality of your Garmin AIS 600 device. It includes several bug fixes and enhancements such as:
Improved compatibility with NMEA devices
Improved stability and reliability
Improved accuracy of position data
Improved user interface and feedback
Added support for new features and options
Why you need to update your Garmin AIS 600 software
You need to update your Garmin AIS 600 software because:
It ensures that your device operates at its optimal level
It fixes any issues or errors that may affect your device's performance
It adds new features and options that may enhance your user experience
It keeps your device compatible with other devices and systems
It complies with regulatory requirements and standards
How to download and install Garmin AIS 600 Setup Software 13
To download and install Garmin AIS 600 Setup Software 13, you will need:
A PC with internet access
A USB flash drive with at least one gigabyte of free space
Your Garmin AIS 600 device with power source
The installation process involves four steps:
Step 1: Download the software from Garmin website
Step 2: Extract the files to a USB flash drive
You should insert the USB flash drive into your PC and open the downloaded file. You should then extract the files to the root directory of the USB flash drive. You should see a folder named "Garmin" and a file named "AIS600Setup.exe" on the USB flash drive.
Step 3: Insert the USB flash drive into the transceiver unit
You should turn off the power source of your Garmin AIS 600 device and insert the USB flash drive into the black port on the back of the transceiver unit. You should then turn on the power source and wait for about 10 seconds. You should see the indicator light on the front of the transceiver unit blink green and red alternately, which means that the device is ready to update.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update
You should turn on your display or chartplotter and select "AIS Setup" from the menu. You should then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process. You may need to enter your vessel information and preferences again after the update. You should see a message that confirms that the update is successful. You should then remove the USB flash drive from the transceiver unit and restart your device.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what Garmin AIS 600 is, how to install it on your boat, and how to update its software to the latest version. We hope that this guide has helped you to understand and use your Garmin AIS 600 device better. If you have any questions or problems, you can contact Garmin customer support or visit their website for more information.
FAQs
Q: How can I check the software version of my Garmin AIS 600 device?
A: You can check the software version of your Garmin AIS 600 device by selecting "AIS Setup" from the menu on your display or chartplotter and then selecting "About". You should see the software version number on the screen.
Q: How can I change the silence mode of my Garmin AIS 600 device?
A: You can change the silence mode of your Garmin AIS 600 device by pressing the silence switch on the front of the transceiver unit. You should see the indicator light change color according to the mode. Green means that the transmitter is on, red means that the transmitter is off, and yellow means that the transmitter is in silent mode.
Q: How can I reset my Garmin AIS 600 device to factory settings?
A: You can reset your Garmin AIS 600 device to factory settings by holding the silence switch on the front of the transceiver unit for more than 10 seconds. You should see the indicator light blink green and red alternately, which means that the device is resetting. You should then release the silence switch and wait for the device to restart.
Q: How can I troubleshoot my Garmin AIS 600 device if it is not working properly?
A: You can troubleshoot your Garmin AIS 600 device if it is not working properly by checking the following things:
Make sure that the power source is connected and turned on.
Make sure that the data cable is connected correctly and securely.
Make sure that the VHF antenna and GPS antenna are mounted properly and have a clear view of the sky.
Make sure that your display or chartplotter is compatible with NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 protocol and set to use the same baud rate as your device.
Make sure that your device has the latest software version installed.
Make sure that your vessel information and preferences are configured correctly using a PC or your display or chartplotter.
If you still have problems, you can contact Garmin customer support or visit their website for more help.
Q: How can I contact Garmin customer support or visit their website for more information?
A: You can contact Garmin customer support by phone, email, or chat using the contact details provided in your package or on their website. You can also visit their website at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/ for more information about their products, services, manuals, downloads, FAQs, forums, videos, blogs, and more.