MMSI from AIS on tablet to VHF?

[KevinV]

I'm certain that some high-end networks must be able to do this - select an AIS target on the plotter to make a DSC call to them. It would require somehow exporting the mmsi to the vhf at the very least

Does anyone know if it can be done with an Android tablet (running your navigation app of choice) and a mainstream VHF? I ask because in my attempts to change the curly wire on my old VHF I have fubared it - if I'm buying a new one this is a function I would like it to incorporate if possible, nobody seems to make a vhf with a number pad on it (my old vhf did).

Plenty of VHF's with nmea inputs, but what data do they actually read? (I suspect only GPS data)

 

[tillergirl]

The Standard Horizon GX1800E inputs GGA, GLL, GNS, RMC, GSA and GSV, and outputs DSC, DSE, GGA, GLL, GNS, RMC, GSA and GSV using 4800 baud. If 38400 baud is selected it includes outputting VDM.

 

[harvey38]

I thought that was the point of integrating a DSC with the plotter?

 

[[70521]]

It is really up to the VHF and if it can integrate with the AIS engine and chartplotter, including selecting channel from the screen.

 

[KompetentKrew]

As @tillergirl says, its just a matter of the correct NMEA sentence being sent to the VHF.

I'd imagine that OpenCPN offers this feature, perhaps as a plugin.

 

[jwfrary]

Our simrad radios accept this from the simrad plotter, but as I understand it is a simrad only function.... Though I'm sure it could be hacked!

 

[KevinV]

The Standard Horizon GX1800E inputs GGA, GLL, GNS, RMC, GSA and GSV, and outputs DSC, DSE, GGA, GLL, GNS, RMC, GSA and GSV using 4800 baud. If 38400 baud is selected it includes outputting VDM.

Thanks for the detail - if my dictionary and my limited understanding have got it right that means it can't input AIS data from, but can output DSC data to a plotter? Very useful, and a feature I hadn't thought about, but I was hoping for two-way traffic. Maybe I'm asking for more than I can achieve within my means.

 

[PaulRainbow]

As @tillergirl says, its just a matter of the correct NMEA sentence being sent to the VHF.

I'd imagine that OpenCPN offers this feature, perhaps as a plugin.

It's not that simple, the VHF needs to be programmed to do something with the data, most don't have that programming.

 

[GHA]

Thanks for the detail - if my dictionary and my limited understanding have got it right that means it can't input AIS data from, but can output DSC data to a plotter? Very useful, and a feature I hadn't thought about, but I was hoping for two-way traffic. Maybe I'm asking for more than I can achieve within my means.

Seems to be quite a lot of anecdotal stories on forums of ships more likely to respond to being called by name rather than dsc , maybe you're not missing much. DSC wasn't a great success....

 

[PaulRainbow]

There are very few VHF radios and plotter combinations that offer this feature, it usually requires that both are from the same manufacturer. Current (and many older) Garmin plotters will communicate with a Garmin VHF, as will some Simrad/B and G.

There was a thread about it on here a few years back, maybe a bit out of date:

Calling an AIS target on VHF without entering the MMSI manually

 

[Refueler]

Seems to be quite a lot of anecdotal stories on forums of ships more likely to respond to being called by name rather than dsc , maybe you're not missing much. DSC wasn't a great success....

True ... its down to habit.

As Superintendent assisting Bridge watchkeepers ... nothing unusual for OOW to check the reason for DSC alarm ... accept and go back to whatever doing ... but on hearing ships name - would grab mic and reply.

DSC and auto alarm has been one of those developments that has created more dislike than like ...

 

[tillergirl]

Thanks for the detail - if my dictionary and my limited understanding have got it right that means it can't input AIS data from, but can output DSC data to a plotter? Very useful, and a feature I hadn't thought about, but I was hoping for two-way traffic. Maybe I'm asking for more than I can achieve within my means.

Well I am just talking about that particular model. I would be surprised if a DSC radio would want to receive AIS data from my system. If I get a distress call the radio does report the position and direction on the display. I haven't tried to connect DSC data from the radio to the MFD as I have all ports fully occupied with other things.

 

[KevinV]

Thanks all for the input, I guess I'll have to park that idea, though I will add output of DSC from vhf to plotter to my wish list - that would be really helpful in deciding quickly whether one can be of any help, without having to take notes, etc.

I know DSC calling hasn't really caught on, and understand why - mostly because it's more laborious than just using voice. I thought there might be a way to bypass that.

I was mostly interested because of my experiences with smallish fishing vessels, where all on board are engaged in their work, and using noisy machinery, particularly at night. My calls of "fishing vessel at approximate location x, this is the sailing vessel that you can't see because you have all your working lights on" go unanswered more often than I'd like. I thought the "ringing" of a DSC call might cut through the noise better. AIS is new to me - I'm sure that hailing them by name will make a big difference.

Fwiw, I've only needed to hail a few, when their lights or shapes have borne no resemblance to their movements!

 

[GHA]

slight drift but signalk will decode dsc messages, not sure about dse, don't have a dsc & associated dse to try.

Can't see how it's possible to control a vhf dsc command using nmea0183, no sentences exist.

SIgnalk data fiddler lets you play >>

And look at what came in >