Pre-programming is required.Register your AIS here prior to shipping. www.westmarine.com/ais-registration Unique AIS transceiver includes its own GPS receiver and dot-matrix display.Compact, waterproof Class B AIS transceiver actively notifies other vessels of your exact position. Dual channel receiver provides AIS information (both Class A and Class B signals) simultaneously.Large, backlit full dot-matrix screen gives real-time vessel traffic information for navigation and collision avoidance. Compact size means that it can be installed in a convenient place near the chart table, in the wheelhouse, on the flybridge or a pedestal in the cockpit. Large, easy-to-use, backlit buttons make it easy to operate.MA-500TR can be integrated with the Icom VHF radios including the M400BB, M412, M424, M506, and 2011 DSC-compliant versions of the M604 and M504. When networked with these radios, one touch of the MA-500TRs DSC button allows you to transmit DSC individual calls to a selected vessel instantly without manual MMSI entry; very handy in an emergency or for simply contacting nearby friends.Key collision-risk management functions simplify AIS operation: MA-500TR identifies a target list (those in a local area), dangerous list (those you could potentially collide with) and what the closest point of approach is. A collision alarm with external alarm connection gives extra warning of potential impact.Key FeaturesClass B AIS Transceiver: The MA-500TR is a Class B AIS transponder for non-SOLAS vessels such as pleasure craft, workboats and small vessels. Your vessels information will automatically be transmitted at fixed intervals or under base station control. The MA-500TR receives dual AIS channels (Ch. 87B and Ch. 88B) simultaneously and receives both Class A and Class B AIS information.Simple operation: The Plotter display looks like a marine radar display. North-up, course-up and range zoom from 0.125NM to 24NM are supported. The Target list display shows all detected AIS equipped vessels and targets. The