AIS on a Tablet

[Major_Clanger]

I've got an Android tablet loaded with raster charts on Marine Navigator. I'd like to add the ability to receive and identify AIS targets. Anyone know how, or if, I can do this? It's a Samsung 8" Logbook tablet.

TIA

 

[Telstar26]

I have a similar setup. I added a Quark A023 WiFi AIS receiver with a Glomex splitter.

It works fine, details here

 

[Major_Clanger]

I have a similar setup. I added a Quark A023 WiFi AIS receiver with a Glomex splitter.

It works fine, details here

Thanks, that's exactly what I'm after. Tell me about the mention of Wi-Fi? Does it mean that the Quark only works if it's connected to a router or mobile hotspot?

 

[StUrrock]

Thanks, that's exactly what I'm after. Tell me about the mention of Wi-Fi? Does it mean that the Quark only works if it's connected to a router or mobile hotspot?

I have a similar set up using a SH VHF sending AiS data via NMEA to a Quark device.
The Quark can make its own ad hoc wifi network, which is fiddly but not to difficult to set up up and works great.

 

[Halo]

I have a Vesper ais which creates WiFi on board and puts aid targets and data onto navionics on my iPad. Good system as standby for mfd

 

[MoodySabre]

I bought a Yakker and connected it to my SH VHF which has AIS. It is a Wi-Fi bridge and connects to my iPad showing AIS on Navionics. No splitter or separate aerial required.

 

[chris-s]

Thanks, that's exactly what I'm after. Tell me about the mention of Wi-Fi? Does it mean that the Quark only works if it's connected to a router or mobile hotspot?

If it is anything like there other devices or the yakker, you can either connect directly to it over WiFi from your tablet or if you have an existing wifi network onboard then configure it to connect to your boat wifi and then it will be possible to acquire the data by any device on the same wifi network…but best to check wi try the seller first just in case this device is specifically different.

 

[Major_Clanger]

Thanks all for your replies.

I'm a bit of a simple bear though and one aspect of this still confuses me...... My boat has no Wi-Fi network, and even if it did, what happens offshore? No signal of any description.

Do these DIY low-budget AIS systems only work when in range of a mobile or Wi-Fi network?

 

[pandos]

Thanks all for your replies.

I'm a bit of a simple bear though and one aspect of this still confuses me...... My boat has no Wi-Fi network, and even if it did, what happens offshore? No signal of any description.

Do these DIY low-budget AIS systems only work when in range of a mobile or Wi-Fi network?

No.
Wifi and internet are different things.

Some of the Quark devices will provide Ais over wifi in one small unit. You can put a antenna on the pushpit or on a pole at the stern, probably cheaper than a splitter and you are not interfering with your vhf.

 

[geem]

Thanks all for your replies.

I'm a bit of a simple bear though and one aspect of this still confuses me...... My boat has no Wi-Fi network, and even if it did, what happens offshore? No signal of any description.

Do these DIY low-budget AIS systems only work when in range of a mobile or Wi-Fi network?

Buy a Yakker. It turns NMEA from an AIS unit into WiFi such that a tablet can pick it up and show AIS on your Navionics. We have it as a back up to our chartpotter

 

[Major_Clanger]

Eureka, now I understand - thanks all!

I've been using AIS transceivers on other people's boats for ages but it's always been pre-installed. I resisted having it on my own but after two fog-laden deliveries on boats with AIS I've finally seen the light.

Thanks again.......

 

[Major_Clanger]

No.
Wifi and internet are different things.

Some of the Quark devices will provide Ais over wifi in one small unit. You can put a antenna on the pushpit or on a pole at the stern, probably cheaper than a splitter and you are not interfering with your vhf.

I don't want to put anything inline with the VHF antenna, so please tell me if this will do what I need?
Quark A024 AIS receiver with NMEA multiplexer and Wi-Fi
Glomex RA111 dedicated AIS antenna

If this is the right kit then is it a straightforward case of installing and then connecting my tablet to it by Wi-Fi? Will it automatically create an overlay on Marine Navigator?

Thanks

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I've made my own black box of tricks that amongst other things sends AIS data from an AIS receiver or transceiver out via Bluetooth that a tablet or phone can receive. I know that OpenCPN can receive incoming data via Bluetooth. I don't know if other chart plotting software can. As this is quite a common request maybe if there is interest I could make a few kits for people here.

 

[Telstar26]

I don't want to put anything inline with the VHF antenna, so please tell me if this will do what I need?
Quark A024 AIS receiver with NMEA multiplexer and Wi-Fi
Glomex RA111 dedicated AIS antenna

If this is the right kit then is it a straightforward case of installing and then connecting my tablet to it by Wi-Fi? Will it automatically create an overlay on Marine Navigator?

Thanks

Yes, that'll work.

On your tablet, switch WiFi on and connect to the Quark network. Then in Marine Navigator / Settings there's a section for AIS where you enter the IP address etc of the Quark device and switch the AIS overlay on. (See screenshot. You may need to buy the AIS add-on first, can't remember!)

The A023 only outputs WiFi, the A024 also outputs NMEA which may be useful for other displays

 

[Major_Clanger]

Yes, that'll work.

On your tablet, switch WiFi on and connect to the Quark network. Then in Marine Navigator / Settings there's a section for AIS where you enter the IP address etc of the Quark device and switch the AIS overlay on. (See screenshot. You may need to buy the AIS add-on first, can't remember!)
View attachment 136763
The A023 only outputs WiFi, the A024 also outputs NMEA which may be useful for other displays

That's great, exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!

One final question.... Will this basic set up still allow me to identify targets and give me their CPA/TCPA?

 

[stu9000]

I have the yakkwr but not fitted yet. How are people getting the data from the ais box to the yakker.

 

[Supertramp]

I don't want to put anything inline with the VHF antenna, so please tell me if this will do what I need?
Quark A024 AIS receiver with NMEA multiplexer and Wi-Fi
Glomex RA111 dedicated AIS antenna

If this is the right kit then is it a straightforward case of installing and then connecting my tablet to it by Wi-Fi? Will it automatically create an overlay on Marine Navigator?

Thanks

I might have missed something here but I believe you will need a VHF aerial. The GPS gives the AIS unit its position and it then receives and/or transmits via VHF. It's normal to put a VHF splitter on the masthead aerial line so the VHF is shared between the radio and AIS. It is "seamless" but needs a 12v supply.

I use a Vesper with a display so I don't have to use the wifi/tablet (which works fine) but more importantly for me it has an anchor watch system which works far better than my android app ones. Removes the "am I dragging?" moments. Also the built in GPS removes the need for another GPS antenna.

 

[Major_Clanger]

I might have missed something here but I believe you will need a VHF aerial. The GPS gives the AIS unit its position and it then receives and/or transmits via VHF. It's normal to put a VHF splitter on the masthead aerial line so the VHF is shared between the radio and AIS. It is "seamless" but needs a 12v supply.

I use a Vesper with a display so I don't have to use the wifi/tablet (which works fine) but more importantly for me it has an anchor watch system which works far better than my android app ones. Removes the "am I dragging?" moments. Also the built in GPS removes the need for another GPS antenna.

I stand to be corrected (clearly I'm no expert on this!!) but I don't think that's the case. As I understand it the Quark unit receives its GPS info from my existing hard-mounted plotter via NMEA, and it receives its AIS info from the Glomex antenna. that'll sit on the pushpit. The existing masthead VHF aerial remains undisturbed. No other additional aerial needed which was part of the appeal to me; I like the Glomex as it's small/discreet - I don't want the boat looking as if it's sponsored by GCHQ.

 

[Supertramp]

I stand to be corrected (clearly I'm no expert on this!!) but I don't think that's the case. As I understand it the Quark unit receives its GPS info from my existing hard-mounted plotter via NMEA, and it receives its AIS info from the Glomex antenna. that'll sit on the pushpit. The existing masthead VHF aerial remains undisturbed. No other additional aerial needed which was part of the appeal to me; I like the Glomex as it's small/discreet - I don't want the boat looking as if it's sponsored by GCHQ.

Agreed - the single vhf aerial is shared between radio and AIS. The splitter "timeshares" aerial time between the two devices. Fully agree also about aerials and unnecessary stuff that inevitably capture ropes etc at unexpected moments.

 

[Telstar26]

I stand to be corrected (clearly I'm no expert on this!!) but I don't think that's the case. As I understand it the Quark unit receives its GPS info from my existing hard-mounted plotter via NMEA, and it receives its AIS info from the Glomex antenna. that'll sit on the pushpit. The existing masthead VHF aerial remains undisturbed. No other additional aerial needed which was part of the appeal to me; I like the Glomex as it's small/discreet - I don't want the boat looking as if it's sponsored by GCHQ.

Actually the Quark A024 doesn't have GPS. As it doesn't transmit it doesn't need it. But it does need an aerial ! either a separate one or shared with a fixed VHF. If shared, the splitter is necessary to cut off the AIS receiver when the VHF is transmitting.

It wasn't practical to have a 2nd aerial on my boat (Parker 21), hence the splitter. But a separate aerial would be fine.

I hadn't realised the A023 is no longer available.