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2021 NMEA Awards: AIS: Furuno FA170 Class A

Furuno's FA170 is a Class A AIS Transponder with a 4.3" (10.92 cm) color LCD display. It shows symbols for AIS-equipped vessels, AIS-SART's, coastal stations and other aids to navigation within VHF range. AIS data can be output to ECDIS, Radar, or other navigational equipment for collision avoidance support. All this was enough for the judges in the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 2021 Awards program to name the FA170 the winner in the AIS category.

Commercial Quality

The FA170 includes 6 in/out ports, 3 input only ports, one LAN port, and one alarm output (contact closure) port. The unit is BAM (Bridge Alert Management) ready, meeting the specific requirements for BAM as specified in IMO MSC.302 (87). An optional Pilot Plug is available.

This compact unit can store up to 2,048 AIS targets and AIS SART's. Selecting a target from the list generates a pop-up window where detailed information is displayed. You can also create an AIS message or send a name request to the target ship. When dangerous targets are detected, the FA170 provides a Dangerous Target list. The FA170 is also capable of exchanging short, safety-related messages with a specified MMSI or all AIS-equipped vessels via VHF channels. The FA170 can store up to 20 transmitted and 20 received messages.

The screen displays symbols for AIS-equipped ships, base stations, AIS-SARTs, aids to navigation and more. When a captain selects a target, the vessel info is displayed.

The FA170 works on 12 or 24 volts and displays information about AIS-equipped vessels as well as coastal stations and aids to navigation within VHF coverage. It outputs AIS data to ECDIS, radar and other navigational equipment for collision avoidance support. It has an LAN interface available for network integration into an existing bridge system.

The fa170 can store more than 2,000 targets and can report 2,250 reports per minute on one channel.

Dangerous targets are displayed in red with alerts when necessary.

The equipment that comes standard with the FA-1701 transponder and FA1702 monitor, a GPS/VHF combined antenna and distributor and a GPS antenna.

Available options include an antenna cable kit for a combined GPS/VHF anteann or dedicated GPS antenna, an antenna base for a variety of mount styles, a VHF antenna, a power supply unit, a pilot plug unit, an AD converter, a sub-monitor unit, a flush mounting kit, and a waterproofing kit.