Vesper SP160 Installation Manual

12-24

VDC

Power

AIS TX

Check Ant

VHF TX

12-24 VDC

AM/FM

AIS VHF

ANT

vesper

marine

Antenna Splitter

Model:

SP160

AIS

WatchMate

®

WMR750 Receiver or
WMX850 Transceiver

1A Fuse

Red

Black

VHF

Antenna

VHF Radio

AM/FM Radio

Optional cable

The Vesper Marine AIS / VHF / FM Antenna Splitter is used to share a single VHF
antenna for both VHF radio and an AIS receiver or transponder. It can also supply
a feed for your AM/FM radio.

Items needed to install:

• 12-24V DC power. Always install a 1A fuse and/or circuit breaker.

• Four 3mm (#4) screws for mounting.

• Two standard 50 Ω VHF patch cables (PL259) of adequate length to reach from your

selected installation location to your VHF radio and AIS receiver or transponder.

• An optional BNC-to-Motorola Plug cable is available for connecting to most AM/FM

radios.

Installation:

• Select a suitable location. Often this is near an existing VHF radio since the antenna

cable is located there.

• The unit is water resistant to protect it against the marine environment, however it is

recommended to install it in a dry location.

• If power will be switched with a circuit breaker, ensure the splitter always has power

whenever the AIS is active. This may be easily accomplished by using the same circuit
breaker as the AIS receiver or transponder.

SP160 AIS / VHF / FM Splitter - Installation Guide

45 Sale Street, Freemans Bay
PO Box 91164, Victoria Street West
Auckland 1142, New Zealand

[phone]

www.vespermarine.com
[e-mail]

SP160 1409

vesper

Features:

• Ultra low insertion loss.

• Low noise amplifier improves AIS receive performance.

• AIS sensitivity is increased to -119dBm when used with Vesper Marine transponder.

• Fail-safe, always gives priority to VHF radio even if the power is switched off.

Indicators:

• Green power indicator. The splitter must have power for the AIS to work.

• Amber VHF TX is illuminated whenever the VHF radio is transmitting.

• Amber AIS TX is illuminated briefly whenever the AIS transponder is transmitting.

• Red “Check Ant” indicates an antenna problem such as a short or open circuit. This

indicator will light only when the VHF is transmitting on high power. You can check your
installation by switching to high power and pressing the talk button. Although this
indicates a potential antenna problem, it is only an indicator and does not affect the
splitter’s functions.

VHF In-Use Indicator on WatchMate 850 and WatchMate Vision:

The SP160 splitter may be used with any AIS receiver or transponder. However,

when used with a WatchMate a symbol is displayed on the screen whenever
the VHF radio is transmitting. See your WatchMate manual for details.

Specifications:

Size (including connectors) 135mm (5 3/8”) x 107mm (4 1/4”) x 56mm (2 1/4”)
Power 10-32 VDC, <0.8 W (nominal)

Maximum current 270 mA
Operating temperature -25ºC to +55ºC (-13ºF to 131ºF)

Frequency range 156 MHz to 163 MHz

Insertion loss, VHF transmit 1 dB
Insertion loss, VHF receive 1.5 dB
Insertion loss, AIS transmit 1 dB
Gain, AIS receive 12 dB

Noise figure <1.5 dB
Antenna port impedence 50 Ω, SO239 connector
VHF & AIS port impedence 50 Ω, SO239 connector
AM/FM port impedence 75 Ω, BNC connector
Switching time <10 µS

Max. VHF transmit power 25 W
Max. AIS transmit power 12.5 W

Limited warranty Two years from date of purchase. Includes parts and labor.

Excludes freight. See www.vespermarine.com for details.

Vesper Marine declares that this product is in conformity with the essential requirements of Directive 2004/108/EC.

For details and a copy of the Declaration of Conformity see www.vespermarine.com/compliance.