AIS does yours pick up Channel 21? (Aids to Navigation).

AISWatchMate®RX Two Channel Receiver and Display
The AISWatchMate is now available with an integrated two channel AIS receiver.
Excellent receiver sensitivity for maximum range.
Designed especially for highest AIS performance.
Easy to install. No external "black boxes".
Winner of two international innovation awards.


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My good wife Jean was reading Yachting Monthly,October 2009 issue,page 15 and spotted a report by a sailor off Ireland,I sent this information to Jeff of Vesper Marine,makers of the Watchmate AIS,asking if he was aware of this possible sitution,below is his reply just in.

Hi Roy,

No worries. The WatchMate has full support for message type 21 (Aids to Navigation). It has complete support for all aids, including virtual and off-position indicators and has always had it in every unit including the very first unit we shipped!

Be aware that there are a number of other AIS products out there that do not enjoy the complete coverage that the WatchMate does. The WatchMate-RX also has full support for meteo/hydro messages and as far as I know is the only product that can do that.

Also, there was just a very detailed independent review done by a journalist in Australia for a magazine which concludes that the WatchMate-RX has the most sensitive AIS receiver, with a 100% score of number of messages received compared to other products that range from 23% to 54%. I'll send you a copy of the article once it comes out.

Jeff