I am not aware of any modification required to a ship's AIS for it to be tracked by satellite. Best if it is a Class A unit though.
No, I believe the modifications had to be done to the satellites to allow them to pick up the specific VHF tx from the ships AIS - duplex channels of 87B and 88B I think.
The AIS GPS antenna on the S92 is located on the tail pylon.
that will be the GPS Rx but where is the VHF Tx aerial for the AIS?
Great idea to have the EGPWS disabled at 70 kts - just the sort of speed you are doing a trans down to the hover and possibly getting close to obstacles/land.