doczweivel
New Member
I am planning to use a laptop (Panasonic CF29 ruggedized) and a GlobalSat BU-353 GPS antenna as my primary navigation means.
Does that GPS antenna alreay receive AIS information, or do I need to purchase an AIS receiver to have AIS input to my laptop?
What I really want is avoid being run over by cruise ships and tankers, and I read that radar reflectors would only be of use if the would be ships have their radar ON and not in standby, and that it is better to receive AIS information.
At the moment, I am using free software called OpenCPN 3.2.0 and maps I downloaded from NOAA. You might guess that I'm cheap. While I plan to use the money I don't spend on a GPS plotter to buy rum, I do care about safety.
So, if somebody has some advice with a setup like I described above, I would much appreciate the input.
Kind regards!
Does that GPS antenna alreay receive AIS information, or do I need to purchase an AIS receiver to have AIS input to my laptop?
What I really want is avoid being run over by cruise ships and tankers, and I read that radar reflectors would only be of use if the would be ships have their radar ON and not in standby, and that it is better to receive AIS information.
At the moment, I am using free software called OpenCPN 3.2.0 and maps I downloaded from NOAA. You might guess that I'm cheap. While I plan to use the money I don't spend on a GPS plotter to buy rum, I do care about safety.
So, if somebody has some advice with a setup like I described above, I would much appreciate the input.
Kind regards!