AIS Software?

[clausont]

I have been curious for a while if anyone makes AIS software to use with a laptop that would work reasonably well. When I finally take the time to check, I find this:
ShipPlotter
Does anyone have any experience with this and does it work with SeaclearII?
Just curious. I just got a gps to hook up to my laptop to try Seaclear II and would like to know more about ShipPlotter also.

[scotte]

You don't need anything extra (well aside from the hardware), SeaClear already does AIS...

[clausont]

Ok, I saw the AIS references in Seaclear. I was wondering about software that will decode AIS data received on the VHF frequencies used by AIS transmitters.
AIS 1 161.975 161.975 Automatic Identification System (AIS)
AIS 2 162.025 162.025 Automatic Identification System (AIS)

It is my understanding that Shipplotter will do this, but uses it's own software and does not integrate with Seaclear.

[W32PAMELA]

SeaClear needs AIS data that has been converted to NMEA183 which is available from commercial AIS receivers. SeaClear cannot use the raw signal from a VHF or scanner.

Bob Stewart

[donradcliffe]

I tried shiplotter with the raw signal from my ham 2-meter handheld, and it didn't work. My solution was to by the black box AIS unit from Milltech for $169 and use it with Seaclear.

[scotte]

Oh, I see. That program decodes the AIS via soundcard. The FAQ actually tells you how to get the AIS data into SeaClear, so I guess I'd give that a try first...

[phiggins]

I've used ShipPlotter feeding it with my SR-161 AIS and it worked well.

Another neat thing about ShiPlotter is you can receive via the internet AIS data from other people who are using ShipPlotter and shaing their data. Thus you don't even need an AIS unit. This allows you to look at AIS targets all over the world. If you bring up a chart of the English Channel you'll see why AIS is so popular over there.

Paul