AIS Configuration

[[email protected]]

Just subscribed to the group, so hope this is not a recent subject.
Can someone describe to me the wiring of an AIS receiver to a PC
navigation system? I am using Maptech Chart Navigator Pro. From what I
can find, I need a serial port to connect the AIS receiver. Already
using my one serial port for NEMA 0183 traffic between Northstar 941D
GPS, the PC/CNP, and the Simrad AP20 autopilot.Thanks

Pete

 

[Larry]

[email protected] wrote in 4ax.com:

Just subscribed to the group, so hope this is not a recent subject.
Can someone describe to me the wiring of an AIS receiver to a PC
navigation system? I am using Maptech Chart Navigator Pro. From what I
can find, I need a serial port to connect the AIS receiver. Already
using my one serial port for NEMA 0183 traffic between Northstar 941D
GPS, the PC/CNP, and the Simrad AP20 autopilot.Thanks

Pete

Buy one of these:
http://www.usbgear.com/USB-PRODUCT-DETAILS.cfm?sku=765162&catid=&cats=
It uses the Prolific chipset others have liked...me too.

It also uses standard Microsoft drivers so should auto-connect.

Do NOT buy a USB-Serial converter built into a plug as the weight of the
serial plug and socket will ruin your USB connector in the
computer/laptop because it's just too heavy with too much mechanical
advantage. Only get a cable to take the strain off the USB socket.

At the bottom of the webpage is instructions in small type how to switch
COM ports to this adapter. It's not rocket science. Your AIS receiver
needs 38,400 baud...8N1 serial port configuration, which the device
should sync to automatically with this chipset.

Pick a separate COM port from your NMEA com port connection. The NMEA
port is running 4800 Baud. AIS is much faster at 38,400 baud. They
must be separately connected to the computer. This cable/converter
self-powers from the USB port on the computer. No other connections are
necessary.

Too bad ALL the boats aren't transmitting AIS by now, but I don't think
the commercial interests want to see all that traffic.

 

[Larry]

Just hooked up my AIS receiver today and played with it a couple of
hours.
Trust me! You don't want ALL boats transmitting AIS!
I had 2 tugs tied up in the west end of the harbor. I had an Alaskan
fisherman a few piers over. I had a tug assisting an anchor oiler
getting ready to leave. I had 2 pilot boats. I had a ferry. I had 3 big
guys transiting outside the harbor.
Now all this was fun to watch but throw in another shitload of
sportfishers and it would be chaos.
Gordon

Yeah, but you don't HAVE to have it on the 20 mile range in a boat going
10 knots. In reality, you only need to see the boats on the 3 mile
range, the ones you're crashing into in the fog. I never figured out
why a sailboat has an 8 mile radar....(c; He needs to see that bouy
he's about to run over. Now the government bureaucrats need to get off
their asses and install the FIXED STATION broadcasting all the bouys and
known obstructions a few times an hour so you KNOW that blip is bouy
"3b", not a fisherman.

 

[IanM]

Yeah, but you don't HAVE to have it on the 20 mile range in a boat going
10 knots. In reality, you only need to see the boats on the 3 mile
range, the ones you're crashing into in the fog. I never figured out
why a sailboat has an 8 mile radar....(c; He needs to see that bouy
he's about to run over. Now the government bureaucrats need to get off
their asses and install the FIXED STATION broadcasting all the bouys and
known obstructions a few times an hour so you KNOW that blip is bouy
"3b", not a fisherman.

Of course, the way AIS works, one fixed station on land nice and high up
like one of the CG aerials could 'paint' the position of *all* nav.
marks within line of sight on-screen on every AIS connected plotter
within range. Need to mark a new obstruction? No problem, tag it with a
virtual mark till you can get a work boat out to lay a buoy.

Will it happen? Not while the pork is going elsewhere . . .

 

[Larry]

Will it happen? Not while the pork is going elsewhere . . .

The pork here goes into a long line of replacement main gates. God CG is
proud of that slot to the street. The just replaced it, AGAIN, not long
ago. It's probably another $500K in next years budget.