Receiving ais to laptop using Baofeng uv-5r

[MisterTranquill]

So here is the idea, I have a baofeng vhf/uhf radio and the usb cable for it.

Does anyone know if it is possible to use it as an antenna and hook it up via usb to a laptop, tune it to the ais frequency and perhaps use it in opencpn?

anyone tried that? or something similar?

[BocaIII]

You need to decode the ais digital data being transmitting in order to display. That is what the ais receiver does.
You can tune the uv-5r to the ais frequency and listen to the data packets.
Jack
W4GRJ

[continuouswave]

Originally Posted by MisterTranquill

I have a baofeng vhf/uhf radio and the usb cable for it...[is it] possible to use [the BAOFENG] as an antenna and hook it up via usb to a laptop, tune it to the ais frequency and perhaps use it in opencpn...

Unless the BAOFENG receiver has a digital demodulator and an AIS decoder that produces NMEA output, which is most likely does not, your idea won't work.

[smac999]

there used to be a AIS computer app that would take sound input via mic plug on PC..


so you could plug the headphone jack of radio to mic on PC. run program to decode on PC


but this was 10 years ago when AIS was new and expensive. now it's $200 so why waste your time...

[conachair]

Originally Posted by MisterTranquill

So here is the idea, I have a baofeng vhf/uhf radio and the usb cable for it.

Does anyone know if it is possible to use it as an antenna and hook it up via usb to a laptop, tune it to the ais frequency and perhaps use it in opencpn?

anyone tried that? or something similar?

That USB cable won't work, it's just for programming.


Easier cheap route would be a cheap TV dongle..
rtlsdr Plugin | Official OpenCPN Homepage

[MisterTranquill]

Originally Posted by smac999

there used to be a AIS computer app that would take sound input via mic plug on PC..


so you could plug the headphone jack of radio to mic on PC. run program to decode on PC


but this was 10 years ago when AIS was new and expensive. now it's $200 so why waste your time...

I already have a ais on my chartplotter. I still wanna know if its feasible. I dont see it as a waste of time regardless.
A laptop, a usb gps and a handheld vhf would make for quite a handy and portable navigation system.

I remember reading about the ais software this using a long antenna, it would be more practical with a handheld.

I already have a functioning usb gps with opencpn, then the trick would be to bring both feed together (as ais requires gps) and voila I guess

I will try and let you know

[maine50]

You could use a Smart Radio AIS receiver- they sell for $180 or you could see my Classified ad- Smart Radio AIS Receiver- will sell for $60/ Selling 'cause a bought transponder. Will feed computer charting program w/ NMEA 0183/

[conachair]

Using a baofeng seems unlikely to work... Baofeng UV-5R

[Lake-Effect]

Here's a utility which claims to turn audio into decoded AIS data:
AISDecoder - decode AIS messages via your sound card - AISHub

... so presumably you could send audio from the Baofeng radio into your laptop use tha above to decode.

I haven't done this myself yet... I might try with a SDR some day.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Here's a utility which claims to turn audio into decoded AIS data:
AISDecoder - decode AIS messages via your sound card - AISHub

... so presumably you could send audio from the Baofeng radio into your laptop use tha above to decode.

I haven't done this myself yet... I might try with a SDR some day.

Looks interesting but might not work unless you can get an unfiltered audio signal from a radio to get at the digital data you want. Quite a lot of information on this site.. AIS (Automatic Identification System)
Discriminator Output

The baofeng doesn't look hopeful as you can't tap into the unfiltered signal. Great little radios though. Worth getting one.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by conachair

Looks interesting but might not work unless you can get an unfiltered audio signal from a radio to get at the digital data you want. Quite a lot of information on this site.. AIS (Automatic Identification System)
Discriminator Output

The baofeng doesn't look hopeful as you can't tap into the unfiltered signal. Great little radios though. Worth getting one.

Thanks for the links.

I don't know about the Baofeng, but in a true SDR (software-defined radio), you have control over everything in the chain, including audio bandwidth, so I'm thinking it's theoretically possible to get a clean-enough signal for decoding. Something to try on the next rainy day, maybe.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Thanks for the links.

I don't know about the Baofeng, but in a true SDR (software-defined radio), you have control over everything in the chain, including audio bandwidth, so I'm thinking it's theoretically possible to get a clean-enough signal for decoding. Something to try on the next rainy day, maybe.

Also for a rainy day, you can use a cheap digital tv/radio dongle as a software defined radio and get ais through that....
RTL-SDR Tutorial: Cheap AIS Ship Tracking - rtl-sdr.com


Opencpn has a plug in as well. I haven't played with one yet receiving ais but for the price they're a good sdr

[DeborahLee]

There is a group on Yahoo that does this. They use a program called AISmon to decode it. You can only get it by being a member of the group (Free). You also have to set up a virtual cable in your computer another free program. This will put it into Opencpn. They have a lot of support on the board. Just Google AISmon to point you in the direction.Good luck.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by conachair

Also for a rainy day, you can use a cheap digital tv/radio dongle as a software defined radio and get ais through that....
RTL-SDR Tutorial: Cheap AIS Ship Tracking - rtl-sdr.com


Opencpn has a plug in as well. I haven't played with one yet receiving ais but for the price they're a good sdr

Yes, for sure. I think I have 4 of those dongles now. Alot of fun and learning for $10

The biggest drawback for practical use of these dongles (eg as your primary AIS receiver) is the computing horsepower required to run them. Kind of hard to dedicate a decent PC to doing AIS with the dongle when a better stand-alone AIS receiver can be had for $200.

Interesting thread. Now I want a UV-5R...