can I use laptop with internet to get ais for opencpn

[flopresti]

Can I use laptop with internet connection to get ais for opencpn?

[Adelie]

Only when you are in internet range and only for vessels that are picked up by stations that report AIS signals to centralised AIS aggregators.

To see what’s really around you you should have an AIS receiver or better yet a transceiver so others can see you.

Or are you asking the more basic question whether OpenCPN is configured to use internet data?

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by flopresti

Can I use laptop with internet connection to get ais for opencpn?

Yes, you can. OpenCPN knows how to connect to internet AIS services. You have to know the IP address details of the service provider.

Be aware that there is no guarantee that AIS services will report all vessels in the specific area where your vessel is located. AIS via internet is mostly used for couch cruising or testing. It is not recommended in my opinion for real use in operating a vessel.

[bdbcat]

There are two potential problems with online AIS services.
1. There is an unknown ( and unknowable) time delay in the posting of AIS data on the AIS feed. Not so good for fast, interesting targets like commercial ships.
2. The data is easily spoofed, for a variety of reasons, including just for fun.


Conclusion:
Not recommended for real navigation.


Good Luck
Dave

[Reefmagnet]

How about as an extension of the onboard receiver? That is, to look beyond the horizon. I could see this being useful in high traffic areas where internet access is most likely available. Would it be possible to remove duplicates from internet sourced data that is being locally received?

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

How about as an extension of the onboard receiver? That is, to look beyond the horizon. I could see this being useful in high traffic areas where internet access is most likely available. Would it be possible to remove duplicates from internet sourced data that is being locally received?

It’s possible but not easy. The software would have to keep track of the UTC stamps and discard any message that is stamped earlier than the most recent one received.

For most boats the VHF “horizon” is a lot further away than the visual horizon. There aren’t very many cases where one would expect to get more useful information from the internet than from a good onboard AIS setup.

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

It’s possible but not easy. The software would have to keep track of the UTC stamps and discard any message that is stamped earlier than the most recent one received.

For most boats the VHF “horizon” is a lot further away than the visual horizon. There aren’t very many cases where one would expect to get more useful information from the internet than from a good onboard AIS setup.

I understand, but I do think it would have its uses.

[Viking Sailor]

Then there is the possible future satellite repeating of AIS signals covering a wide area. This may become real with the implementation of unmanned shipping. This would give more time to determine the necessary actions required for collision avoidance.