Matsutec HP-528A Marine AIS Transponder & GPS Plotter

The Matsutec HP-528A marine AIS transponder pairs a Class B+ AIS transceiver with a GPS chart plotter in a single console unit, which means its own spec sheet, rather than a side-by-side model comparison, is what defines how it fits a vessel. The unit runs on a 4.3-inch color LCD at 480 x 272 pixels with 500 cd brightness, built to stay readable in direct sunlight on an open deck. It connects to other onboard electronics through NMEA 0183 version 2.0, and it draws power from a DC12V-24V supply that matches the electrical systems found on most small and mid-size boats. Rated transmit power is 2W ± 1.5 dBm, and the complete unit weighs just 0.80 kg.

The Matsutec HP-528A Marine AIS Transponder in Daily Use

In practice, the HP-528A puts two functions on one screen: AIS target data and GPS chart plotting. On the AIS side, it provides a radar plotter view and a multi-list display with detailed information on every tracked target, plus collision, man-overboard (MOB), and watch-target alarms, along with safety and routine message display from nearby vessels. On the GPS side, it offers plotter, highway, and steering screens, a satellite view, SOG/COG meters for speed and course over ground, SBAS-capable positioning, and MOB/GOTO marks for fast waypoint recall. Onboard storage holds 10,000 waypoints, 100 routes, and 3,000 track points, enough to keep a long voyage history without frequently clearing old data.

Where This Fits in Saudi Marine Operations

Combined AIS/GPS units of this kind suit commercial fishing boats and small trading vessels working the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastlines, where crews need to watch nearby ship traffic and track their own course on one screen instead of running two separate units. It also fits service craft operating around ports and coastal project sites that require constant awareness of surrounding vessel movement, as well as private boats and small yachts making longer runs beyond direct sightlines that still need a steady GPS reference alongside AIS target awareness of other AIS-fitted vessels. The operating temperature range of -15°C to +55°C for the display unit and -25°C to +70°C for the antenna unit supports use through the high summer heat common along Saudi coastal areas without extra cooling for the outdoor unit.

Matching HP-528A to Your Requirements

Since the HP-528A is currently the only model in this combined AIS/GPS category in the catalog, the selection question is less about picking between siblings and more about matching its own specifications to the vessel. Its light 0.80 kg weight and compact 181 x 143 x 83 mm (W x H x D) footprint suit helm-console mounting on small and mid-size boats without needing extra panel space. Where the requirement is a single screen carrying both AIS and GPS data instead of two separate devices, the display and storage specifications above determine whether the unit covers longer voyages that need a larger number of saved waypoints and routes at once.

Installation and Operating Notes

The IP56 rating on the display unit and IPX6 on the antenna unit point to how each part should be mounted: the antenna unit is built for outdoor exposure and withstands powerful water jets, while the IP56 display unit suits helm or cabin mounting that is only partly exposed to direct water contact. The unit communicates over NMEA 0183 version 2.0, a widely used protocol for linking with other NMEA-compatible marine electronics on board. The DC12V-24V power input matches standard boat electrical circuits directly, without needing an additional voltage converter. When planning the installation, factor in the rated transmit power of 2W ± 1.5 dBm when choosing the antenna location to keep AIS broadcast coverage consistent with the rest of the onboard navigation system, and allow for the 181 x 143 x 83 mm footprint when sizing the helm panel cutout.

Package Contents

• HP-528A display unit
• HA-017 antenna unit with 10m cable
• 2m power cable
• Standard spare parts and installation material
• Operator manual