AIS/VHF Combination Units
AIS/VHF Combination Units - All-in-One Marine Communication
Save space and simplify installation with integrated AIS and VHF radio combination units. Our collection features products from Icom and other leading manufacturers:
- VHF with AIS Receiver - DSC VHF radio with built-in AIS reception
- VHF with AIS Transceiver - Complete communication and vessel tracking
- Fixed Mount Combos - Integrated helm-mounted units
- Wireless Handsets - Remote VHF operation with AIS display
Combination units reduce equipment clutter, share a single antenna, and provide seamless integration between VHF communication and AIS vessel tracking. Perfect for space-conscious installations.
Complete Communication: Display AIS data on Simrad, Raymarine, Garmin, or Furuno chartplotters via NMEA. Compare with separate VHF radios and AIS transceivers. Mount antennas with Seaview or Glomex solutions.
One radio doing two jobs
Combining VHF and AIS into a single unit means sharing one antenna through an internal splitter rather than running two coax feeds up the mast, which simplifies a refit but also means both functions depend on that one antenna and cable being in good condition. AIS reception on a combo unit ranges from a basic single-channel receiver, adequate for situational awareness, up to a full dual-channel transceiver that also transmits your own position.
DSC distress calling works the same way as on a standalone VHF, tied to your registered MMSI, and most combo units display AIS targets directly on their own screen as well as passing the data out over NMEA to a chartplotter.
Where deck or helm space is limited, a combo unit avoids fitting a separate AIS box and antenna splitter, but it is worth checking the antenna and cable run can support both functions before committing, particularly on a boat with an older or marginal masthead antenna.
