AIS receiver Page
Receiver devices and accessories equipment to track ships for marine surveillance.
AIS marine radar / navigation systems present the bearing and distance of nearby marine vessels in a radar-like display format, as well as unique identification, position, course, and speed, displayed on a computer screen, and even information about their destination, estimated time of arrival and the dimensions of each vessel.
Range is basically limited by line of sight, the relatively
low power of ship transponders and the height and gain of your antenna. Typical
range at sea level with a basic antenna is about 12Nm, or with a better
antenna at an elevated antenna position is about 20-50Nm.
An AIS receiver requires that your PC or laptop will have loaded suitable plotting software that can understand AIS messages on a serial port, compatible with Windows XP/7/8.
To use an AIS receiver on a boat, without the need for internet connection, you will also need a VHF antenna (or a feed from an existing VHF antenna via a splitter), and a PC compatible GPS receiver (see Antenna & other Accessories page and Prices & Ordering page) or an adaptor from an existing boat GPS. Independent mapping software on your computer is still needed.
WEGMATT LLC, USA dAISy AIS receiver
dAISY AIS receiver with AIS
whip (or telescopic)
antenna:
Part No dAISy.1kit
All you need to start tracking ships are a PC, Mac or Linux computer, and a
clear view of the sea.
dAISy works with OpenCPN
(free site - see https://opencpn.org/OpenCPN/info/about.html), Ship Plotter and any other software that accepts
serial data input.
dAISy is also well suited for reporting local ship traffic to services like
MarineTraffic and AISHub.
With it's small size,
low cost and very low power consumption, dAISy is the perfect AIS
device for DIY projects built around Raspberry Pi and other single-board
computers.
Specification
· Sensitivity down to -100 dBm
· Small size: 63 x 44 x 23 mm
· Mini-USB connector for data and power (USB cable included)
OpenCPN,
is a free, open source chart plotter and navigation software, can be used with
devices like dAISy to track ships on a map. Any software running on a PC, Mac or
small Linux computer that accepts AIS data from a serial input will work with
dAISy. For location on map, computer will need input from GPS. (GPS dongles
available from
http://www.aircrafttrackingavionics.com.au
).
dAISy is professionally assembled by the manufacturer in Seattle, WA, USA, with a 12 month warranty .
dAISy2+
AIS Receiver with NMEA 0183
output & wifi module
Low-cost dual-channel AIS receiver with USB and NMEA 0183 output & wifi module
dAISy AIS receiver - all you need to start tracking ships are a VHF antenna, a Windows, Mac, Linux or Android device, and a clear view of the sea.
Does not include GPS, but can add separate GPS dongle - see price list GPSUSB-1 .
This true dual-channel marine AIS receiver works with OpenCPN, Ship Plotter and any other software that accepts serial data input. dAISy is also well suited for reporting local ship traffic to services like MarineTraffic.
Thanks to its two-channel design, dAISy 2+ receives twice as many messages as the single-channel dAISy. This improves acquisition time and update rate of AIS targets, while range is comparable for both models.
Specification
- Dual channel receiver
- Receiving on channel A (161.975 MHz) and B (162.025 MHz) simultaneously
- 38400 baud serial output over USB in industry standard NMEA format (AIVDM)
- NMEA 0183 output at 4800, 9600 or 38400 for connection to chart plotters
- Auxiliary TTL serial output for connection to other devices
- No drivers required for Windows 10, Mac OS X and Linux (driver available for older versions of Windows).
- Supported by Boat Beacon, OpenCPN and SailGrib WR on Android devices with USB OTG.
- BNC connector for 50 Ohm VHF antenna (antenna not included)
- Mini-USB connector for data and power (3ft USB cable included)
- 5mm pitch terminal block for NMEA (matching plug with screw terminals included)
- Can be powered over USB or from a 12-36V DC power source
- Low power consumption, less than 500mW in receive mode (<100mA at 5V, <40mA at 12V)
- Very robust aluminum enclosure with mounting holes, size: 105 x 80 x 28mm
- Made in the USA
NMEA 0183 / RS-422 output
The dAISy 2+ AIS Receiver can directly talk to chart plotters and other marine electronics. In addition, the integrated DC/DC converter allows to power it from your boat's 12-36V power system, removing the need for a USB power source.
Auxiliary Serial Output
The serial data stream is available on a 0.1" header on the back of the unit.
Users can combine dAISy2+ with a Bluetooth module to receive AIS on wireless
devices, or connect a data logger like
SparkFun OpenLog. The
pin-out of the auxiliary serial port is compatible with the DT-06 TTL to
WiFi module, which is included with this kit.
Compact marine navigation Mariner's Pack CMP-4 Compact, complete economical, navigation/package for marine surveillance to use with your computer
Complete kit includes:
1) Wegmatt dAISy.1 AIS receiver,
2) GPS USB dongle (GPSUSB-1) - plugs direct in to your computer for location data,
3) Small VHF AIS tuned whip (or telescopic) antenna, obviating the need for having a splitter from another VHF antenna with its associated extra cabling.
Special package price, for use with your computer and plotting software, as a compact, portable complete marine surveillance/navigation device.
Some very useful 'Frequently Asked Questions' provided by Michael Barrett
I want to watch ships using my laptop from land,
what do I need?
You will
need a computer with a USB port, an A.I.S.
receiver and suitable plotting software such as
http://opencpn.org.
You will also need a suitable VHF antenna
designed to work around 162Mhz.I want to use an AIS receiver on my boat, what
do I need?
You will
need a computer with a USB port, an AIS receiver
and suitable plotting software such as
https://opencpn.org/OpenCPN/info/about.html
that can decode AIS NMEA 0183 VDM messages. You
will also need a VHF antenna designed to work
around 162Mhz. You cannot use the same antenna
as your marine radio without a splitter.
To plot the
ship positions relative to your position your
computer will need to know your current
position. So
you will also need a way of getting your GPS
position into the computer.
This could
be a GPS USB dongle (see
Antenna & other
Accessories
page and
Prices & Ordering
page
) or you
may want to use an NMEA to USB adaptor to
connect your boat GPS.
After installation of plotting software and
receiver drivers/software, plug in the GPS and
receiver
VHF radio,
AIS signals are normally line of sight. So it
depends on the elevation of your aerial and the
curvature of the earth. Normally you will see
from
10 to 30 miles. However in special
meteorological conditions such as
tropospheric
ducting (where the signals are bounced and
curved around the earth) you can sometimes see
ships more than 250 miles away.
Possible Fault remedies found by Mike,
1, Only one USB port on some Toshiba units is a
high power supply. If the receiver is not
receiving, you should changes to this port.
2, Plug both GPS and AIS receiver into the same
ports every time
*What
is marine
AIS ?
The Automatic
Identification System (AIS) is an
automated
marine tracking & surveillance
system
used for identifying and locating
ships, boats & other
vessels.
AIS-equipped systems present the bearing and distance of nearby vessels in a radar-like display format. Information provided by AIS equipment include unique identification, position, course and speed, can be displayed on a computer screen, together with information about their destination, estimated time of arrival and even the dimensions of each vessel.
The
International Maritime
Organization's
International Convention
for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
requires AIS to be fitted aboard all
international voyaging ships with
gross tonnage of 300
or more, and all passenger ships regardless of
size. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands
of vessels now carry AIS equipment.