Can the Existing VHF Antenna be Utilized with a Cortex Hub?

Yes. An antenna splitter allows using the current VHF antenna instead of fitting another one, generally allowing more straightforward installation. There are trade-offs between using a splitter and having a dedicated antenna for the AIS system.

If utilizing a splitter, get one designed for use with the specific model of the AIS system. A receive-only splitter differs in functionality from a splitter that allows transmission on the AIS path. Damage to either the VHF or the AIS equipment may occur if the wrong splitter is not well suited to your AIS system. For a transponder, use a splitter explicitly designed for use with AIS transponders, like our SP160 Antenna Splitter. 

The Cortex M1 Hub has an integrated splitter that shares the existing antenna with both the Cortex and a current VHF system onboard for ease of installation and added onboard systems redundancy.