Featured AIS Feeder: Subin Raja (India) - SXAISD0000015

Subin Raja, our AIS Feeder in India, with his setup

Subin Raja is an amateur radio operator (VU3EFG) and one of ShipXplorer feeders in India who has been feeding AIS data since July 2022. He is located close to one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.

Thengapattanam, India

"I use a diamond VHF antenna tuned on 162 MHz 8.1 dbi gain mounted in a high elevated place. MSL is 200 feet above the ground. It's 72 feet total MSL is 272 feet above sea level, nearby seashore, one of the busiest routes in the world." says Subin  about his setup.

Raja's AIS Antenna

His AIS station has a range of 214 nautical miles (396 km), covering the entire Southern tip of India and part of Sri Lanka.

SXTRPI000015 AIS Station 

Subin also shares some tips for newer feeders. "I just wanted to share a few tips with other feeders to improve VHF coverage:

1. Placement of antenna: Although many people do not take it seriously, placement can cause poor antenna reception. We usually put the antenna depending on our housing pattern. However, changing the site of your VHF antenna may improve the reception positively.

2. Height Matters: If the antennas are mounted at a low site, reception problems occur. The higher you mount the antennas, the better it performs and the better the signal. For example, if you own a multiple-story building, place the antenna on the top floor instead of the ground floor. This placement will improve VHF antenna reception. However, this trick might not always work. In that case, use outdoor antennas and mount them as high as possible. Make sure to be safe and take some precautions before placing it." 

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Thengapattanam, India

Thengapattanam, named after dense coconut grooves, is a major trade and tourism center in the painkulam panchayath along the coastal plains of the Kanyakumari district.

Faizkannu - Photo Source: Mapio.net

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