Here is a new radio from Standard Horizon. It is both an AIS reciever and a VHF. I am very tempted to buy it.

Bull's-Eye or Near Miss? | MadMariner.com

Here is a review that seems to tell us the truth about this. I will wait a little while before deciding whether or not to purchase this radio but I am really leaning towards it.

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"Money is not the only thing one has to spend; the other thing is life. The difference is that you never know how much is in the bank, or what your balance is. Your life is your inheritance. As soon as you realize this, you start trying to spend your life wisely." - From "Advice to the Sealorn" by Herb Payson.

Charlie, I'm not a big fan of AIS, so I couldn't get excited... sorry.

Why don't you like AIS Sully. I think it is a pretty good system not fool proof but reasonably good.

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"Money is not the only thing one has to spend; the other thing is life. The difference is that you never know how much is in the bank, or what your balance is. Your life is your inheritance. As soon as you realize this, you start trying to spend your life wisely." - From "Advice to the Sealorn" by Herb Payson.

I know... it's great. I always am against like 600 people when I say I'm not fan... ha ha ha

I just haven't seen a need for it, personally. I have always felt it was one more thing to drain my battery bank. BUT... if it's part of your VHF that's always on anyway... that could change things, I guess.

Well, also a higher ranking merchant marine officer I know says that he hates it when small boats have an AIS broadcaster because it clutters up his view of what concerns him on a harbor approach. Plus, I really don't want to broadcast anything about my vessel out there into the ether for anyone to look at.

I suppose a receiver is OK, but I still, personally, have a hard time seeing where I'd really need one. A proper watch is always kept on my boats, so... ??