Affordable DIY AIS Setup for Sailors: Socotran ST-109M,OpenCPN, AIS Catcher, and SDR Dongle Tutorial
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
- Welcome to my latest tutorial on all things sailing! In this detailed guide, i'll show you how to establish an affordable yet effective AIS (Automatic Identification System) solution for your vessel, using a portable AIS transmitter, an SDR (Software-Defined Radio) dongle, and the power of open source software.
I'll take you step by step through the process of setting up an AIS receiver on a PC, harnessing the capabilities of OpenCPN - a highly acclaimed, open-source chart plotter and navigation software. Alongside this, we'll also introduce you to AIS Catcher, a great software tool for AIS data capturing.
If you've been searching for an inexpensive, DIY solution for your AIS needs, this video is perfect for you. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or just starting out, we're sure you'll find this guide helpful.
Remember, a well-set AIS can drastically improve your maritime safety by enhancing situational awareness on the water. So, why wait? Dive in and learn how to build your own AIS system on a budget.
Don't forget to hit that 'Like' button if you find this video useful, and subscribe to our channel for more sailing tips, tutorials, and adventures. Your support is what keeps us afloat!
Disclaimer: This video is intended for educational purposes only. Always ensure your safety equipment, including AIS, is installed and functioning correctly according to all applicable standards and regulations. Sail safely!
Links
Socotran AIS Net Tracker
s.click.aliexp...
SDR Dongle
s.click.aliexp...
(Cheaper Variation)
s.click.aliexp...
AIS Catcher
github.com/jvd...
Open CPN SDR Tutorial / Driver Setup
opencpn.org/wi...
AIS Type Numbers
help.marinetra...
Socotran alternative software and tear down
github.com/spe...
Socotran Application
drive.google.c...
00:11:00 Overview
00:33:30 Programming SocoTran ST109M MMSI , Boat Type and other parameters
00:08:25 AIS Receiver using AIS Catcher, SDR dongle and Open CPN
00:15:38 Socotran Battery Life Test
00:17:13 Summary
This is awesome, I was looking for AIS catcher for my boat. Thanks for sharing info on ST109M much apprciated, you did a pretty good job integrating it all. Nice work.
The name must be written in capital letters! Soo. I am happy! Soo great that you shared the link for the software! Thanks!
No probs glad you got it working it's a great bit of kit for the price !
First I was not able to fill in the "name" (stopped after one letter). Writing the boat's name in notepad, copy and paste it in the name field of the app did the trick!
Love your work, amazing seeing what can be done on a budget
Thanks for the comment , glad to hear someone gets some benefit out of these videos :-)
@@boatsandbits Your doing everything i want to do when get my boat back in the water, will run 2 of those cheap outboards with solar panels to help the boat along on each tack, but looking for 24v options so can get some charge into them from solar panels onboard
@@adamnaylor2286 They do 24v versions of that motor I have I can't fault it works great past year.
Could the transmitter be programmed to be an AIS boat transmitter rather than a MOB announcing device?
@@dangable2889 it's not really meant to be a MOB so you can't work it as a epirb (you can however use it so people can find you if you leave your boat!) but it does work great as an AIS boat transmitter , you can use the software to program in boat size etc .
This sounds like utter magic, I must study this more. I just found your site, I too feel like a binge, hope to talk sometime soon, like to do some Chanel crossings? SkipRay, Kerry.
Great tutorial and fantastic to get the links. Will be back.
Cool stuff mate
Just found your channel. Excellent stuff here. Subscribed immediately :-). Thanks for sharing this content. I can feel a binge watch coming on. Cheers Chris
Thanks for tuning in !
Great solution, thanks.
Does anybody know if these use the correct (Class B CSTDMA) carrier sense protocol? If not, then use of them at sea seems irresponsible as they may interrupt other valid transmissions, rather than waiting for an open timeslot.
Dam shame its not legal for regular class B.
Thank you
Thanks, you are awesome 🎉
How do i rescive ais cheap with alarm
How do you prevent an on board AIS receiver from seeing you as a target as transmitted by the ST-109? I have a VHF radio that has an AIS receiver and seems to me the CPA to my receiver would be zero and if a zone alarm was set it would be constantly going off thus rendering that function useless. Please advise.
Is there a way to block certain mmsis on your receiver ? I'd expect each device is different on how to deal with it
This arrangement seems to be illegal for boat use (or net marking for that matter) at least in US, and I wouldn't be surprised if also in Europe. Have you used it at sea? Does it report SOG and COG?
Not sure about that . If youve valid data being broadcast at legal power limits I can't see it being an issue. Net marking though wouldnt be a valid use for AIS all the same! I've not heard of anyone being prosecuted . If used in emergency (MOB) I suspect not too many FCC ones are going to come after ya.
"The Low Cost Sailor" is where I first saw this adaptation to boat use a couple of years ago, and I'm sure he said it's not allowed in the US and not approved in the EU.
Most likely not legal in most European countries..
Ais bouy passward is forget. How to reset the passward in ais bouy
I've installed the tool and it works! But I could fill in any name with letters, of my ship. Why? What is Wendor? Call sign was succesfully filled in.
MMSI is numbers only i think ? I havent gotten one yet (MMSI number)
so havent been messing around too much with that side of things
Has anyone tried the 10W version the RS-108M? Also has larger battery. The 109 is 5W. Is the software the same?
I must have a look !
The antenna and the hight of the antenna is the limitation, not the transition power.
@boatsandbits Very interesting ... always wary of Chinese stuff, it's 10 months after this video, what's been your experience? NB - I'm an annoying Mac user so a lot of this budget stuff designed to work on Windows is out of reach, unless I buy a cheap Windows lap top.
You could probably get away with Virtual Box or something like that and link the com ports . It's still working great , it's fairly robust , i think they are way cheaper now as well . Some of the stuffs crap but some of it's pretty good like this.
@@boatsandbits Appreciate your feedback, thanks!
link download software ST-109M Net locatro?
Uploaded it to my google drive and stuck a link in the description.
Where do you find the driver for the usb?
Should be automatic for me anyways
@@boatsandbitsbut does the software work on a Linux computer?
@@kenh6722 i've not tried it with WINE .
Where do you get the software from?
Check out the video description I've a download link
Thank you😀@@boatsandbits
You need to fix your audio. The intro is screaming loud compared to the first monologue then it jumps up again for the main recording. Makes us adjust high then low then high again unnecessarily which makes me not want to watch any further.
This was useful, but can you send me the link for the software? Nothing shows up when I connect by usb to the charging port on my PC.
Link to software is in video description
would it be visible on sites like marine traffic?
We tested on the sea last weekend and we were visible on marine traffic the whole way .
ok, then i am buying one@@boatsandbits
HI, I have configured the ST-109M with the 11 meter length parameters of my boat but the ST-109M overwrites the data and transmits the battery charge instead of the length. How can I make it transmit the correct length instead of transmitting the battery charge?
I think it transmits the battery as the manufactuer data rather than the length . if you have all the dimensions in then should display correctly . However I hadnt that inputed in my testing will update and see how it appears in Open CPN.
I'll also try to enter all the numbers and see what happens @@boatsandbits
V 1.7.0 seems to do the battery in reference point A but v 1.9.0 seems not to. Check which version you are running, it may help!
HI, How do I get the newer software?@@martintruran8469
I am having the same problem, 1.9.0 does not seem to help. I don't want to transmit that my boat is 100M long.@@martintruran8469
ots great device the fishermen now putting them on their string of lobster pots although they dont name it lobster pot which is confusing to sailors they get a target not knowing what it is and ate looking out for another boat bewildered as to what they,re seeing on screen
pick them up and rename them yourself :p
free ais transmitter i like it
docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-1211A1_Rcd.pdf
Seems they're illegal for such use in the USA.... $20-150k fine. Beware!