dAISy Open Source AIS Receiver

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

Because UHF connector is too big. Also, almost no printed circuit mount UHF connectors are available these days. But the main reason is size. It requires the AIS box to be excessively large. So small low cost receivers don’t use UHF connectors.

PCB mouth PL259 connectors are not hard to find, but finding BNC to pl259 is a harder find. adding adapters introduces resistance and potential points for corrosion. The other option is to have to build custom cables Which again is not particularly useful. Specisally when commerical AIS ( the ones made but the "big guys" use stanadard PL259 connections.

[astuder]

Originally Posted by pcmm

PCB mount PL259 connectors are not hard to find, but finding BNC to pl259 is a harder find. adding adapters introduces resistance and potential points for corrosion. The other option is to have to build custom cables Which again is not particularly useful. Specisally when commerical AIS ( the ones made but the "big guys" use stanadard PL259 connections.

As Dan stated, it's mainly due to the size of SO-239 panel mount connectors. I did go with BNC and SMA because adapters to these are readily available for virtually any RF standard.

I just checked a few of the big electronics distributors here in the US, and I didn't find any PCB mount SO-239. If you know a source, I would be very interested.

Best Regards,
Adrian

PS: In the (confusing) nomenclature for UHF connectors, SO-239 is the connector on the device/antenna that mates with the PL-259 on the cable.

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by pcmm

PCB mouth PL259 connectors are not hard to find, but finding BNC to pl259 is a harder find. adding adapters introduces resistance.

In AIS resistance is not a big issue. Would like to see a link to PC mount UHF female connector.

Pasternak sells BNC to UHF and SMA to UHF.

https://www.pasternack.com/uhf-adapters-category.aspx

[continuouswave]

Originally Posted by astuder

...In the (confusing) nomenclature for UHF connectors, SO-239 is the connector on the device/antenna that mates with the PL-259 on the cable.

It's not that confusing: SO is short for SOCKET and PL is short for PLUG. The PLUG is usually on a cable, and mates with the SOCKET that is usually on a bulkhead or wall. The numbering goes back to the US Military c.1940. The numbers were probably the next open numbers when the connector was adopted as a standard connector. It is no more arbitrary than calling a cable RG-8/U and then the next one RG-9/U. RG came from Radio Guide, a listing of approved cables by the military.

In the AMPHENOL catalog, the UHF series connectors are in the 83-series and numbered

83-1SP for Straight Plug, or the equivalent of MIL PL-259

and

83-1R for Receptacle, or the equivalent of MIL SO-239

Many modern radio devices now use the FME connector to conserve space. FME is from For Mobile Equipment. It is used on some marine electronics,

[hoolie]

It's not that confusing:

Well, it is actually. I naively thought a PL259 might have connected to a SO259. But not so. Goodness only knows what a SO259 connects to ... ...

[prof_mariner]

Originally Posted by hoolie

Well, it is actually. I naively thought a PL259 might have connected to a SO259. But not so. Goodness only knows what a SO259 connects to ... ...

Err... as far as I know, a PL259 -does- plug into a SO259.

[transmitterdan]

I have never seen an SO-259 as far as I can recall. Admittedly my look back buffer gets shorter every year.

http://www.radio-electronics.com/inf...o239-pl259.php

[petter5]

The dAISy hat AIS for Raspberry pi, if connected with a proper coax and antenna is performing very well with opencpn.


Using Raspberry pi 2, RG214 coax cable for the antenna and a Comrod AV15 antenna
see screen shot taken just now.
Good quality coax and antenna seems to be a key factor for proper performance.

[astuder]

You forgot to mention selecting a good location for the antenna and proper alignment of stars

[RossM]

Old thread, So i apologise for stirring it up again.
I have a dAISy2+ and wired, it works fine. I'd like to move to wireless for testing
Am I correct in thinking that the device needs proper power supplied to it? I've tried with the USB port and a power brick but the wifi card does not power up, so I think it needs power via the NMEA connector instead.
Many thanks

[petter5]

I don't think the dAISy have wifi. You can for example connect to a raspberrypi ( openplotter) and you will get WiFi.
/Petter

Originally Posted by RossM

Old thread, So i apologise for stirring it up again.
I have a dAISy2+ and wired, it works fine. I'd like to move to wireless for testing
Am I correct in thinking that the device needs proper power supplied to it? I've tried with the USB port and a power brick but the wifi card does not power up, so I think it needs power via the NMEA connector instead.
Many thanks

[RossM]

petter you are right, but a wifi module is available for it. I have this installed but was hoping it could take power from the USB.

[petter5]

I have not heard about a "dirct connect" WiFi" module for dAISy an I just checked their web site and it is not mentioned there either,,
Since the dAISy have a USB and NMEA 0183 outbut, the WiFi will need some kind of hardware/computer to connect to the dAISy to be able to be used for WiFi. Are you sure your moduel is a "WiFi" designed to work direct with a dAISy 2+ ??
If not , go for a raspberry pi with WiFi and connect the dAISy 2 + - it is a well proven solution.

Originally Posted by RossM

petter you are right, but a wifi module is available for it. I have this installed but was hoping it could take power from the USB.

[RossM]

Hi Petter.
https://shop.wegmatt.com/products/da...with-nmea-0183

Wireless is mentioned in the article.

[astuder]

Hi Ross,


The VCC pin outputs 3.3 or 5V, selected by a switch inside the unit. Both should work whether power is provided from USB or the NMEA connector.


Make sure that the WiFi module is connected the right side around. Use the marking on the WiFi module as reference, not the pictures in the document. Some modules off Ebay need to be inserted upside down. The correct connections are:

VCC->VCC
GND->GND
TXD->RXD
RXD->TXD


If there's no power on the VCC pin, try moving the switch forth and back a few times. It may have corroded if your receiver was in service for a while.


Also, we had a few customers reporting issues with WiFi modules off Ebay. It looks like there are slight variations between these modules. I always get mine from BangGood, which seem to come from the original vendor.


Best Regards,
Adrian