A new plugin for AIS class A voyage data: "ais-vd_pi"

[Hakan]

Serge...

OK, understood.
Without being the an expert I don't think we will earn much of that.
The compiled AIS part of the program code will occupy some minor memory part even if it's not used. But I'd say it's very limited compared to the chart handling. And OCPN as such does not consume much memory compared to other program. The typical RAM use what I've seen is 300 - 700 MB. (Also with 400 AIS targets.)
If an old PC is slow it's more due to lack of processor power to render charts while zoom and drag.

[Hakan]

Version 1.4 is now available in Plugin manager master catalog.
A version for RPI 10 Buster is not yet included in the master catalog but can be downloaded for import here https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/open...0-armhf.tar.gz

Translations performed in Crowdin added. Thanks to the translators.

[stevead]

Nice to see you have a logo for your new plugin !

A couple of things to contemplate for a future release:

1. Use ISO 3166 country codes and UN LOCODE's to populate combo boxes for entering the ship's destination.

2. Support transmission of addressed & broadcast binary messages by encoding the $AIABM and $AIBBM NMEA 183 sentences. It does require that horrible AIS 6bit encoding but that's not too difficult. I think if you send these to the Class A transponder, they will be transmitted although I've never had access to one myself to verify.

[Hakan]

@stevead
Thanks for the suggestions and interest in this little tool.
I think the the target user for this plugin is a small working boat, a fisher or in any case a ship not sailing by the rules of ECDIS where OpenCPN is not adequate.
Those ships won't travel the world and possible destinations are probably in the neighborhood and also often repeated. A global list of destinations would be to overstate.
I think the same discussion would be valid for broadcast messaging.

If any further development I think adaption to inland ECDIS where OCPN is a valid tool is more feasible.

[Hakan]

Version 1.5 is available in the plugin catalog master.
Small fixes and not less more translations.
Thanks.
Håkan

[Franziska]

Hakan,

before I start the 1000's OpenCPN radar thread, I thought I'd write you a PM.

After several years we are at last really close to cast off and one of the items to get is a radar antenna to work with OpenCPN, I know there a many options and radar is fairly new to me.

Still, as you are the OpenCPN radar guru you can perhaps recommend 1-2 specific models (=model number) for which I could aim.

One, if not the, main reason for us to get radar besides fog is the ability to track squalls at night.
Lady Rover is a cat, so that is really important besides reefing at night.

I have no preference in manufacturers, as long it is a robust unit lasting reasonably long.
I am OK buying a unit with 2-5 year old technology as long power consumption is not extremely high.

I have an absolute maximum budget of 1800-2000€ for this.
Ideally I prefer to buy new in this case due to guarantee in case anything fails.

We will only run it with one or two laptops or Android tablets. We do not have Apple and no extra chart plotter.
Hard wiring is fine, WiFi is nice, but not a necessity if it drives the price up.

We have an NMEA interface box which translates stuff to NMEA 0183 if that's necessary.
Apart from that we do have an old raymarine 4000 autopilot which we set manually to the required course.
We do not have a separate electronic compass. A GPS is in the network of course.

Sorry to bug you directly, but the choice is so overwhelming when new in the field of radar, so I feel best is a suggestion from an "old salt" ;-) no idea if you are older than me, but surely more experienced on this subject.

I appreciate it a lot if you can indicate to me what you think would be a good antenna to get&run with OpenCPN. Please be as specific as possible.

Oh, and before I forget, we are on a budget, so if it's less than the budget mentioned above it would be even better.

Thank you so much and very best regards,

Franziska

[Hakan]

Franziska..
Now we happened to live on a Forum thread not about radars so please let us move here.
Håkan

[Hakan]

@All..
An updated version 1.7.5 of the plugin AIS-vd is available in the PM master catalog.

• A new "Read from AIS" button querying the AIS class A for its voyage data.
  What's received is shown on the "Send" button as before but also are the data controls updated to recent AIS data.
• The AIS data is also requested at O startup so visible at first time opening of the Options->Ships->AIS-voyage data.
• Small UI corrections to fit certain platforms and also corresponding to what's actually in the AIS update message. (Year and seconds not included)

[bcn]

The translations for DE and ES are finished.
"Wing in ground (WIG)" left as is - ground effect planes or similar with operating levels below 150m. Those are under COLREGS btw...

[Baikal]

The plugin was unable to overwrite voyage data in AIS Samyung SI30.
Reads data but does not send it to AIS
Connection via Pilot Plug

[Hakan]

Baical..
Nice you've tested on another AIS type.

According to this manual page 56 it should response to the VSD message sent by the plugin.

Did you check with NMEA Debug the VSD message are sent to your output port connected to the AIS? (But since you receive the data AIQ must have been sent?)
Maybe try a filter on the O output connection to send only "VSD,AIQ"

Do you've a better manual and can find out if that AIS for any reason would use a password to change the data?

[Baikal]

I checked again and it seems that on the AIS display, the own Voyage data was replaced by those that were indicated in the CPN. But literally after 3 seconds of Voyage, the data changes to those that were configured in the AIS.
To access the AIS setting, Static Voyage data, you need to enter the password 303030

[Hakan]

Baikal...
What I can see from the latter part of your Debug shot your are sending ECVSD including the destination "ASD". Then a query "AIQ..." and the reply AIVSD with the same "ASD" destination is recieved. That looks good?
So the AIS does react on the ECVSD and its data is updated.
Now you say after a while the AIS voyage data is "by itself" reset to default. Is that correct? (It's not seen in your shot since it ends before that)
Just a long shot. What if you change the output filter on COM3 to: Send only ECVSD,AIQ.


Password:
Most AIS transponders, like the ones I've tested, demands a password only to change static data like type of ship and cargo category, not for the parts we send with this plugin. Are you sure it's different for your device. The above says it's not needed?