AIS Display Help

[JayBee]

We have just acquired a black box, two channel AIS receiver, which will eventually be interfaced to our Furuno Radar/Chartplotter.

In the meantime I am looking at a cheap and cheerful way to get some useful info onto a laptop screen using readily available software. I don’t need any charts – just a radar type display of AIS targets.

Any suggestions for suitable software and the necessary NMEA connections between the black box, a gps and the laptop?

Thanks

 

[nimbusgb]

Seaclear page has free software

Ideally you need GPS into the box and NMEA out of the box into the lappy. If the lappy has no serial port you need a USB / serial converter

Which model AIS? manufacturer? There are several 'black boxes'

 

[JayBee]

Thanks for that. The AIS receiver is an ICOM MXA-5000 with a built in VHF splitter. Until I sort out the interface with Furuno's Navnet VX2 system I will either go the laptop route or perhaps with something like this .

A better bet would probably to get a small "netbook" for the same money, and as a backup to our bigger laptop, and use Seaclear, or something like it.

 

[nimbusgb]

this any good?

Again the caveat about a usb / serial connector applies

 

[JayBee]

Yes, thanks again. The data connections look pretty straightforward, so it really comes down to the software.

I will give Seaclear a try, but would also welcome any other suggestions....

Cheers!





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[crossbones]

Nasa do a radar type display software for use with an AIS engine and PC. It sells for about £10-
www.nasamarine.com

 

[hubert]

The nasa marine software is £9.50.and is available at:-

http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=30_PC_AIS_software

 

[NorthUp]

I use Shipplotter ,gives the radar type display or various chart overlay options, and can link to the web for (where users upload..) world wide coverage. Free download, 25 euro after a month, and for internet option.

 

[JayBee]

Thanks to all for these responses - looks like most of the possibilities have now been covered. I am going to check out the NASA sofware - got to be a bargain at the price!
Cheers
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[fireball]

I had a look at a load over the last couple of years - I wanted the Maptech software, but couldn't justify the money ... I tried seaclear and found it very unclear, but got on well with Shipplotter ... which you don't have to use charts with, but it can help.