Furuno FA-70 Class B AIS Transponder
The Furuno FA-70 is a black-box Class B AIS transponder certified to IEC 62287-1 Ed.3.0 and IEC 62287-2 Ed.2.0, operating across the 156.025–162.025 MHz VHF band. Marine technicians and vessel owners install the unit to transmit own-ship data and receive navigation information from AIS-equipped vessels and coastal stations.
Technical Specifications
| Type | Class B AIS Transponder (Black Box) |
|---|---|
| TX/RX Frequency | 156.025 MHz – 162.025 MHz |
| Output Power | 5 W or 1 W (SOTDMA); 2 W (CSTDMA) |
| Channel Spacing | 25 kHz |
| RX Capacity | 2,250 reports/min (1 channel); 4,500 reports/min (2 channel) |
| RX System | SOTDMA or CSTDMA (user selectable), dual-channel simultaneous reception |
| DSC Receiver Frequency | 156.525 MHz (CH70) |
| Power Supply | 12–24 VDC; 1.8–0.9 A (TX), 0.3–0.2 A (RX) |
| Transponder Operating Temp. | -15°C to +55°C |
| Antenna Unit Operating Temp. | -25°C to +70°C |
| Waterproofing | Antenna Unit: IP56; Transponder: IP55 |
| Serial Interface | 2 × NMEA 0183 (IEC 61162-1, 4800/38400 bps); 1 × NMEA 2000 |
| Initialization Time | Within 2 minutes after power-on |
| Standards / Certifications | IEC 60945 Ed.4+CORR.1, IMO MSC.140(76), ITU-R M.1371-5, IEC 62287-1 Ed.3.0, IEC 62287-2 Ed.2.0, EN 303 413 V1.1.1, EN 301 843-1 V2.2.1, IEC 62368-1 Ed.3, IEC 62311 |
| Weight | 8 lbs |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 6.9 × 2.2 × 6.2 in |
Compatibility & Applications
- Fits recreational boats and fishing vessels operating on 12–24 VDC electrical systems.
- Wires to Furuno NavNet TZtouch series displays (TZTL12F, TZTL15F, TZT2BB, TZT9F, TZT12F, TZT16F, TZT19F) for initial setup and AIS overlay.
- Connects to NMEA 2000 backbone or NMEA 0183 data ports on compatible chartplotters and radar displays.
- Pairs with Furuno GPS antenna GPA-017S or GPA-C01 (each sold separately) for position input.
- Mounts as a black-box unit below deck; built-in VHF splitter allows the FA-70 and an existing VHF radiotelephone to share a single antenna.
- Supports silent-mode operation via external contact-closure switch input.
On a center-console or sportfish installation, the FA-70 mounts below deck and shares the vessel’s existing VHF antenna through its built-in splitter, eliminating a dedicated AIS antenna run. SOTDMA slot reservation at 5 W differentiates the FA-70 from 2 W CSTDMA-only Class B units that cannot guarantee transmission slots in congested waterways.
