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CommercialClass B AIS Transponder RF Danger
Question
Many competing products recommend a minimum AIS antenna height above deck to protect personnel, but I cannot find similar recommendations for the Furuno unit. What do you suggest?
Solution
AIS units offer very little danger due to transmissions, especially the Class B unit that only output 2 watts of power. This power is transmitted in very short bursts and the rate (dependant on your boat speed) is as slow as every three minutes. As a rule, the Furuno manual clearly recommends you stay .4 meters (1.3 feet) away from the class B antenna during the transmission.