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Programming Vessel Information on the Garmin AIS™ 600 Blackbox Transceiver

Note: Under FCC regulations, entering a MMSI number is prohibited in the USA for any person other than the manufacturer or the installing dealer.  It is prohibited under FCC regulations to enter incorrect or improper data. It is a violation of the rules of the FCC to input an MMSI number that has not been properly assigned to the user, or to otherwise input any inaccurate data in the device.

The Garmin AIS™ 600 Blackbox Transceiver must be programmed with vessel information before it will begin to transmit. To enter vessel information into the Garmin AIS™ 600 Blackbox Transceiver, the AIS™ 600 Setup Disk must be installed and run on a PC with a Windows operating system.

To Install the Garmin AIS™ 600 Blackbox Transceiver Setup Application:

  1. Insert the AIS™ 600 Setup Disk into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive of the computer

    • The AIS™ 600 Setup should automatically run once the disk is in the drive

  2. Select Next to begin the setup

  3. Select the "I Accept the Terms and Conditions" boxes

  4. Select Next

  5. Select Install to begin

  6. Select Finish to complete the setup


To Program the Garmin AIS™ 600 Blackbox Transceiver:

  1. Select the Search icon in the Windows taskbar

  2. Search for AIS 600

  3. Select AIS 600 Config Software to launch the programming software

  4. Connect the AIS 600 to the PC with a USB cable

  5. Connect the power cable to the AIS 600 and to a power source1 

  6. Select Connect to begin communication between the AIS 600 and the PC

  7. Enter the name of the vessel

  8. Enter the FCC Call Sign

  9. To have the MMSI programmed into the device, visit a certified Garmin Dealer or Garmin Certified Installer. To locate one visit Find a Dealer.

    • Note: This number can only be entered once. If entered incorrectly, the device must be sent to Garmin to be reset.

  10. Select the drop-down box next to Vessel Type and choose the proper style for the boat

  11. Enter the distance from the vessel's bow to the GA™ 38 GPS and GLONASS Antenna in box A

  12. Enter the distance from the GA™ 38 GPS and GLONASS Antenna to the vessel's stern in box B

  13. Enter the distance from the vessel's port side to the GA™ 38 GPS and GLONASS Antenna in box C

  14. Enter the distance from the vessel's starboard side to the GA™ 38 GPS and GLONASS Antenna in box D

  15. Select Save Data to AIS 600

  16. Select OK

The Garmin AIS™ 600 Blackbox Transceiver is now programmed and ready to be installed.

1 Check that the red wire from the Garmin AIS™ 600 Blackbox Transceiver power cable is going to the positive (+) terminal of the power source, and both the black and yellow wire from the Garmin AIS™ 600 Blackbox Transceiver power cable are going to the negative (-) terminal of the power source.