Quark-elec QK-A026 AIS Receiver with NMEA Multiplexer + WiFi + GPS

The A026 combines dual channel AIS data, with GPS and NMEA information allowing you to view wirelessly anywhere on your boat (and connect to a chart plotter or device of your choice).

The advantage of an integrated GPS is that you can see not only where the other ships are, but crucially where you are in comparison with them and the coastline.

The ideal wireless AIS, GPS and NMEA multiplexer for your convenience.

• Compact dual channel AIS receiver
• Multiplexer: combines AIS, GPS and NMEA 0183
• Can be used wirelessly (WiFi) or through the USB or NMEA ports
• Up to 22 nautical miles receiving range
• Compatible with chart plotters, Windows, Mac OS X, Linux systems, Android and iOS

View AIS, GPS and NMEA, either wired or wireless

Features

• Two independent receivers monitoring AIS channels (161.975MHz &162.025MHz) and decoding both channels simultaneously
• Sensitivity down to -105 dBm@30% PER
• Up to 22 nautical miles receiving range
• USB 2.0 powered (<270mA @ 5.0V)
• NMEA-0183 message output through WiFi, USB and RS422
• Built-in GPS to provide position data
• Combines NMEA input(4.8kpbs only), GPS and AIS messages, and outputs as a seamless stream of data
• BNC connector for 50 Ohm VHF antenna
• Powered SMA connector for 50 Ohm GPS antenna
• WiFi – ad hoc, station, and standby operating modes
• The internal WiFi access point connects up to 4 devices simultaneously
• GPS and WiFi standby function (from firmware version 1.2/ May 2020 onwards)
• Compatible with Windows XP,7,8,10,Mac OS X, Linux systems, Android and iOS
• Plug & play connectivity with chart plotters and PCs
• Can connect to older RS232 products through optional Protocol Bridge (AS03). For more information, read below

Connections

QK-A026 has the following connections/indicators:

• AIS antenna connector – standard BNC female 50 Ohm connector. An active VHF antenna splitter(e.g. QK-A015-RX ) is required if one VHF antenna is shared by QK-A026 and VHF voice radio.
• USB connector – a micro USB connector supplies power to the unit and also outputs the NMEA messages. It can also be used for adjusting parameters using the GUI configuration software.
• NMEA 0183 output connectors – the QK-A026 can be connected to other AIS and SeaTalk compatible equipment (eg. wind/ depth or heading sensors), the QK-A026 also sends out NMEA 0183 messages via WiFi, USB and NMEA outputs simultaneously for chart plotters.
• Built-in GPS – an integrated GPS unit supplies positional data in addition to the AIS data. It should not need setting up. GPS information can be output via WiFi, USB or NMEA.
• WiFi – connectivity in both ad hoc and station modes on 802.11 b/g/n.
• Check the LED lights – the QK-A026 features three LEDs that indicate power (top, red), AIS (centre, green), and GPS (bottom, green) status respectively. The AIS LED will flicker at a fast rate when signals are received. The GPS LED will flicker more slowly as data is received.

FAQ – How to connect NMEA0183 RS422 to older RS232 devices.

This product uses the NMEA 0183-RS422 protocol (differential signal), however some older chart plotters or instruments may use the older NMEA-RS232 protocol (single-ended signal).

To ensure A026 compatibility with any older NMEA0183 device, check if your device uses NMEA0183 RS422 or RS232

• NMEA0183 RS422 devices’ wiring is compatible ‘out of the box’
• NMEA0183 RS232 will require a Protocol Bridge (AS03) to connect your wiring

Connecting the A026 to an older (RS232) instrument or chart plotter is not a problem, simply order the QK-AS03 Protocol Bridge. Our QK-AS03 Protocol Bridge connects NMEA-RS232 wiring to MNEA0183-RS422 and vice versa, using a simple ‘plug ‘n’ play’ connection, with no setup or configuration needed.

You will probably need an AS03 if you are connecting to an older Garmin, Raymarine or Standard Horizon device. The easiest way to check is to look at the input/output connections on the device that you will connect the multiplexer to. If the input/output connections on your device (chart plotter, depth reader, etc.) have a TX, RX or GND connection, you will need to use a protocol bridge.

If in doubt contact us for advice.

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What’s included?

• 1 x QK-A026
• 1 x USB cable
• 1 x setup guidebook

This product now includes a dual-band WiFi antenna (AS05) as standard.

A product CD is no longer included with this item as standard... Manuals, Configuration Software and Drivers can be downloaded from the Quark-elec website

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Available to add to your order:

• QK-AS02 entry level AIS/VHF Antenna or QK-AS12 AIS/VHF Fibreglass Antenna
• QK-AS04 entry-level GPS Antenna or QK-AS14 Waterproof mushroom GPS, Galileo and Glonass Antenna
• QK-A013 12V to 5V Low Interference Converter
• QK-A015-RX Active VHF Splitter-for AIS receivers (only needed if planning to share a single VHF antenna between an AIS receiver and VHF radio)
• QK-AS03 NMEA Protocol Bridge  (only needed if connecting to RS232 devices)
• UHF/SO239 (female) to BNC male connector (only needed if connecting to UHF/SO239 male antenna cable connector)

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Help and Support

For any technical questions regarding this product, you can visit the forum at https://www.quark-elec.com/forum/ and ask us your question,  it’s regularly checked by the Quark-elec technical team and your question may already have been answered there.

Alternatively, contact us directly, with details of your set up and we will be happy to help.