Vesper Marine VESPXB8010, VESPXB6000 Installation guide

XB-8000 | XB-6000 INSTALL GUIDE

Congratulations on your purchase. Your XB-8000 / XB-6000
AIS Transponder is a Class B AIS Transponder with integrated
NMEA 2000 and WiFi* connectivity.

The XB provides information to improve your situational awareness and assist in

avoiding collisions at sea. Because it consumes very low power it may be left

turned on whenever your vessel is underway. It works by interpreting Universal

Shipborne Automated Identification System (AIS) messages which are sent over

VHF by transponders installed on other vessels. The AIS system uses two dedicated

VHF channels designated for this purpose and with the installation of the XB to

receive these signals, you can distribute this information to other devices on board

your vessel (e.g. chart plotters, laptops, smart phones) using NMEA 2000, USB and

WiFi*. In addition, your vessel data is transmitted to other AIS-equipped vessels

within range.

For more information on AIS go to www.vespermarine.com/xb.

(*XB-8000 only)

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET GOING

CONNECTIONS

• AIS/VHF antenna

• LED Status

185mm (7 1/4”)

• USB

98mm (3 7/8”)

XB-8000 or XB-6000

External GPS Antenna with 10m cable

10 pin power/data cable

AIS/VHF antenna

MMSI number

PC/Mobile Device for configuring XB settings

2A fuse or circuit breaker

= Item Included

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

1m USB cable (for configuration)

Waterproof 5m USB cable with locking security ring

NMEA 2000 cable, T connector and network extension cable

SP160 Antenna Splitter

Consider other equipment you may need to install this on your vessel e.g.
additional cable, cable ties, mounting screws, wire strippers, screw driver etc.

= Item Included

• 10 pin power/data port

Mount your XB at least 0.6m (2 feet) from any compass. Test your compass

to verify that it operates properly when the XB is operating.

• NMEA 2000

• GPS antenna

STATUS LED

COLOR STATE DESCRIPTION

Green (OK) Solid Normal Operation

Flashing

Orange
(No Transmit)

Red (Error) Solid/

Solid Device initializing, silent mode, waiting to transmit

Flashing Acquiring a GPS fix

Flashing

Antenna VSWR is high

Background noise level on AIS receiver is high

Built in integrity test error

(See troubleshooting section for more info)

VHF ANTENNA

DATA OUT (+) A

XB CHART PLOTTER

DATA OUT (-) B

DATA IN (+) A

DATA IN (-) B

HEADING SENSOR

DATA OUT (+) A

DATA OUT (-) B

DATA IN (+) A

DATA IN (-) B

(Gray)

(Yellow)

(Green)

(White)

38400 Baud

4800 Baud

DC NEGATIVE / GROUND

(Brown)

EXTERNAL

SWITCH OUTPUT

SILENT MODE SWITCH

NMEA 0183 EXAMPLE

POWER AND DATA

• A dedicated VHF antenna or Vesper Marine AIS/VHF Antenna Splitter
is required.

• Make sure your VHF antenna is an omni-directional antenna designed for the
marine band (156-162MHz) and is well tuned at the AIS end of the band (VSWR
2:1 or less at 162MHz).

• Mount the antenna as high as possible (at least 2-3 metres (6-10 ft) above
the water surface) and as far as practical from any existing VHF, HF or radar
antennas and any metal structures. It is not recommended to place the VHF
antenna directly alongside a mast or another VHF antenna such as on
a mast-head.

CAUTION: Never operate this device unless it is connected to a suitable VHF

!

antenna or Vesper Marine AIS/VHF Antenna Splitter. Performance cannot be
assured if you use any other antenna splitter. The use of an improper splitter
may damage the device and void your warranty.

HINT: Use the VSWR meter in the vmAIS or WatchMate App
(see configuration section) to check your antenna system installation.

GPS ANTENNA

• The XB requires a GPS fix before it can transmit its position.

• The GPS antenna should be situated so that it has an unobstructed
view of the sky above.

A 2m (6.5’) cable with attached 10 pin connector is supplied for connecting the
XB to power, other devices over NMEA 0183 and an external silent mode switch.
You may extend this cable as necessary.

• Check you have the VHF antenna connected before connecting to power.

• Fully engage the locking ring to ensure a watertight seal.

• Received NMEA 0183 data is output on WIFI* and USB.

COLOR DESCRIPTION

Red DC positive (+) (12-24 volts). Always use a 2A

fuse or circuit breaker. Do not connect directly

to battery. If you must extend the power
connections use high quality pre-tinned marine
grade wire which is at least 16 AWG (1.5mm2).

Black DC negative (-)

Gray NMEA data out (+) A

Yellow NMEA data out (-) B

Hint: Silent Mode
can also be controlled
over USB and WiFi*.
External switch is
an optional manual
override.

Green NMEA data in (+) A

White NMEA data in (-) B

Brown External silent mode switch. Do not connect if

not used.

(Do not connect blue or pink wire)

• Do not place the GPS antenna near or in the path of radar or
HF antennas.

• The antenna cable is terminated with a small SMA connector to
facilitate easy routing through holes and openings. Do not cut the
cable unless you have the proper tools to crimp a new connector.
Make the connection to your AIS transponder last after antenna
installation is complete.

CAUTION: The GPS antenna provided is designed specifically for

!

use with the XB Transponder. Performance cannot be assured
unless you use a Vesper Marine GPS antenna. Use of a different
antenna may damage your XB and void your warranty.

HINT: Use the GPS Status screen in the vmAIS or WatchMate App
(see configuration section) to view satellite signal strengths which
will assist in determining the best location for the antenna.