RTLSDR

[Aart K.]

I still have a problem with RTLSDR.

• I have W7 with OCPN 4.1.1317
• I bought a brandnew dongle with the right chipset.
• With Zadig I installed the new driver. Zadig says everything = OK
• I installed RTLSDR plugin 0.13
• When I try to start the PI i see a message:

Could not open: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\rtlsdr_pi\bin\ais_rx -d -r 25600 -e -98

What did I do wrong?

Aart
the Netherlands

[rgleason]

Aart. I have spent hours and hours trying to get this to work on windows . Forget it and buy a dAISy.

[AISFan]

You need aisdec2 or aisrec.

Sent from my Coolpad T1 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Aart K.]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Aart. I have spent hours and hours trying to get this to work on windows . Forget it and buy a dAISy.

Thanks for your comment. I have spent hours and hours too. On board I have a good working transponder but I want something (cheap) for at home.

Aart

[piluso]

Unfortunately for using these dongles without pain you need some knowledge of software defined radio. You can try rtl_ais from here:https://github.com/dgiardini/rtl-ais/releases. The instructions are here (readme file):https://github.com/dgiardini/rtl-ais
You should also create an UDP connection in OpenCPN to receive AIS data from rtl_ais.

[Aart K.]

@piluso

I followed your instructions but still get the same message.

Could not open: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\rtlsdr_pi\bin\ais_rx -d -r 25600 -e -0

Aart
the Netherlands

[Aart K.]

@piluso

I followed your instructions but still get the same message.

Could not open: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\rtlsdr_pi\bin\ais_rx -d -r 25600 -e -0

Aart
the Netherlands

[rgleason]

Aart, Just buy a dAISy, seriously.
makes its own com port with the drivers. Easy.

https://www.tindie.com/products/astu...-ais-receiver/

[AISFan]

It may be just the problem of the antenna. An AIS antenna is needed. An RTLSDR dongle should give a range of 35 nm at 4 meters high, and 50 nm at 70 meters high in the NL.

Sent from my Coolpad T1 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[piluso]

Aart:
rtl_ais is an external program, no need of the rtl-sdr plugin.
Run it from a command line or a batch file. The ppm error correction parameter is a must. Check again the readme file.

Use also the parameter -n, and if all is working (a proper antenna,correct ppm parameter, AIS signal presence), the AIS sentences will be appearing on the console window.

Then in OpenCPN, if doesn't already exist, you should create a network connection type UDP port 10110, that way opencpn will receive messages from rtl_ais.

I'm aware this is not easy if you are not familiar with software defined radio and command lines, but if you want to spend some time trying, without warranties of success, I can give you some directions may be can help you.

David

[Aart K.]

David,

I am a Windows user so I do not know anything about "Command Line".

Please be patient with me

Aart

[champ8242]

Aart,

If you would like, please PM me and we can exchange phone details so I can talk a bit to you for a start

Bart

[AISFan]

To save your time, use aisrec with a friendly GUI. No command line is needed.
For command line, aisdeco2 has a detailed setup guide.

Sent from my Coolpad T1 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[AISFan]

How aisrec looks.



How the coverage looks.

[champ8242]

Originally Posted by AISFan

To save your time, use aisrec with a friendly GUI. No command line is needed.
For command line, aisdeco2 has a detailed setup guide.

Lets see how far we can get. David's statement is clear "if you have the knowledge it's possible". If we can succeed we can make a write-up else we can conclude other options should be considered.

Bart