OpenCPN Integration with Garmin VHF 215 AIS Radio?

[Stasis]

I am new to OpenCPN and thought I could receive AIS targets via an internet source. However, it seems I need to integrate an AIS device to show them? I have a Garmin 215 VHF radio with AIS. How can I integrate the AIS with OpenCPN?

Thanks!

[CarCode]

As far as I understand the manual of your Garmin 215 it can send out AIS data only via a NMEA2000 connection and not via NMEA0183 connection. So you might need a device which transforms NMEA2000 to serial/USB NMEA0183 to make it understable by your OpenCPN computer.

[Stasis]

Originally Posted by CarCode

As far as I understand the manual of your Garmin 215 it can send out AIS data only via a NMEA2000 connection and not via NMEA0183 connection. So you might need a device which transforms NMEA2000 to serial/USB NMEA0183 to make it understable by your OpenCPN computer.

It does NMEA 0183 as well.

[CarCode]

If it can send out AIS data via NMEA0183 simply connect a cheap serial to USB converter between your VHF and the computer with OpenCPN. Baudrate might be 38400. If you don't like cables at your computer use a serial to Bluetooth device as I do.

[Stasis]

Originally Posted by CarCode

If it can send out AIS data via NMEA0183 simply connect a cheap serial to USB converter between your VHF and the computer with OpenCPN. Baudrate might be 38400. If you don't like cables at your computer use a serial to Bluetooth device as I do.

I wasn't aware NMEA0183 was standard serial.

I am running OpenCPN on a Mac. Will pretty much any Mac compatible serial to USB adapter work? Are there any known to work best with OpenCPN?

I am not seeing many serial to bluetooth adapters on Amazon other than a fairly expensive IO Gear one. What do you use?

Thanks!