Affordable DIY AIS Setup for Sailors: Socotran ST-109M,OpenCPN, AIS Catcher, and SDR Dongle Tutorial

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
  • Welcome to my latest tutorial on all things sailing! In this detailed guide, i'll show you how to establish an affordable yet effective AIS (Automatic Identification System) solution for your vessel, using a portable AIS transmitter, an SDR (Software-Defined Radio) dongle, and the power of open source software.
    I'll take you step by step through the process of setting up an AIS receiver on a PC, harnessing the capabilities of OpenCPN - a highly acclaimed, open-source chart plotter and navigation software. Alongside this, we'll also introduce you to AIS Catcher, a great software tool for AIS data capturing.
    If you've been searching for an inexpensive, DIY solution for your AIS needs, this video is perfect for you. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or just starting out, we're sure you'll find this guide helpful.
    Remember, a well-set AIS can drastically improve your maritime safety by enhancing situational awareness on the water. So, why wait? Dive in and learn how to build your own AIS system on a budget.
    Don't forget to hit that 'Like' button if you find this video useful, and subscribe to our channel for more sailing tips, tutorials, and adventures. Your support is what keeps us afloat!
    Disclaimer: This video is intended for educational purposes only. Always ensure your safety equipment, including AIS, is installed and functioning correctly according to all applicable standards and regulations. Sail safely!
    Links
    Socotran AIS Net Tracker
    s.click.aliexp...
    SDR Dongle
    s.click.aliexp...
    (Cheaper Variation)
    s.click.aliexp...
    AIS Catcher
    github.com/jvd...
    Open CPN SDR Tutorial / Driver Setup
    opencpn.org/wi...
    AIS Type Numbers
    help.marinetra...
    Socotran alternative software and tear down
    github.com/spe...
    Socotran Application
    drive.google.c...
    00:11:00 Overview
    00:33:30 Programming SocoTran ST109M MMSI , Boat Type and other parameters
    00:08:25 AIS Receiver using AIS Catcher, SDR dongle and Open CPN
    00:15:38 Socotran Battery Life Test
    00:17:13 Summary

КОМЕНТАРІ • 59

  • @mohanprabhu8562
    @mohanprabhu8562 9 місяців тому +2

    This is awesome, I was looking for AIS catcher for my boat. Thanks for sharing info on ST109M much apprciated, you did a pretty good job integrating it all. Nice work.

  • @mhowing7022
    @mhowing7022 10 місяців тому +1

    The name must be written in capital letters! Soo. I am happy! Soo great that you shared the link for the software! Thanks!

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  10 місяців тому

      No probs glad you got it working it's a great bit of kit for the price !

  • @Bart_Sels
    @Bart_Sels 8 місяців тому +2

    First I was not able to fill in the "name" (stopped after one letter). Writing the boat's name in notepad, copy and paste it in the name field of the app did the trick!

  • @SVJACARANDA
    @SVJACARANDA 25 днів тому +1

    Cool stuff mate

  • @Seafariireland
    @Seafariireland 9 місяців тому +1

    This sounds like utter magic, I must study this more. I just found your site, I too feel like a binge, hope to talk sometime soon, like to do some Chanel crossings? SkipRay, Kerry.

  • @adamnaylor2286
    @adamnaylor2286 Рік тому +2

    Love your work, amazing seeing what can be done on a budget

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  Рік тому

      Thanks for the comment , glad to hear someone gets some benefit out of these videos :-)

    • @adamnaylor2286
      @adamnaylor2286 Рік тому

      @@boatsandbits Your doing everything i want to do when get my boat back in the water, will run 2 of those cheap outboards with solar panels to help the boat along on each tack, but looking for 24v options so can get some charge into them from solar panels onboard

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  Рік тому

      @@adamnaylor2286 They do 24v versions of that motor I have I can't fault it works great past year.

    • @dangable2889
      @dangable2889 11 місяців тому +1

      Could the transmitter be programmed to be an AIS boat transmitter rather than a MOB announcing device?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  11 місяців тому

      @@dangable2889 it's not really meant to be a MOB so you can't work it as a epirb (you can however use it so people can find you if you leave your boat!) but it does work great as an AIS boat transmitter , you can use the software to program in boat size etc .

  • @rogermbwilson
    @rogermbwilson 3 місяці тому

    Great tutorial and fantastic to get the links. Will be back.

  • @chrisswinnerton1729
    @chrisswinnerton1729 Рік тому

    Just found your channel. Excellent stuff here. Subscribed immediately :-). Thanks for sharing this content. I can feel a binge watch coming on. Cheers Chris

  • @Zootalaws
    @Zootalaws 10 місяців тому +1

    Great solution, thanks.

  • @ahmedalrashdi8365
    @ahmedalrashdi8365 10 місяців тому +1

    Thanks, you are awesome 🎉

  • @kenkrige1594
    @kenkrige1594 2 місяці тому +2

    Does anybody know if these use the correct (Class B CSTDMA) carrier sense protocol? If not, then use of them at sea seems irresponsible as they may interrupt other valid transmissions, rather than waiting for an open timeslot.

  • @sailawayteam
    @sailawayteam 9 місяців тому +3

    This arrangement seems to be illegal for boat use (or net marking for that matter) at least in US, and I wouldn't be surprised if also in Europe. Have you used it at sea? Does it report SOG and COG?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  9 місяців тому

      Not sure about that . If youve valid data being broadcast at legal power limits I can't see it being an issue. Net marking though wouldnt be a valid use for AIS all the same! I've not heard of anyone being prosecuted . If used in emergency (MOB) I suspect not too many FCC ones are going to come after ya.

    • @smokingkippers1173
      @smokingkippers1173 7 місяців тому +1

      "The Low Cost Sailor" is where I first saw this adaptation to boat use a couple of years ago, and I'm sure he said it's not allowed in the US and not approved in the EU.

    • @offpro
      @offpro Місяць тому

      Most likely not legal in most European countries..

  • @boomer5814
    @boomer5814 3 місяці тому +1

    How do you prevent an on board AIS receiver from seeing you as a target as transmitted by the ST-109? I have a VHF radio that has an AIS receiver and seems to me the CPA to my receiver would be zero and if a zone alarm was set it would be constantly going off thus rendering that function useless. Please advise.

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  3 місяці тому

      Is there a way to block certain mmsis on your receiver ? I'd expect each device is different on how to deal with it

  • @mhowing7022
    @mhowing7022 10 місяців тому +1

    I've installed the tool and it works! But I could fill in any name with letters, of my ship. Why? What is Wendor? Call sign was succesfully filled in.

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  10 місяців тому

      MMSI is numbers only i think ? I havent gotten one yet (MMSI number)
      so havent been messing around too much with that side of things

  • @stephinraj1857
    @stephinraj1857 5 місяців тому +1

    Ais bouy passward is forget. How to reset the passward in ais bouy

  • @brunostromme9904
    @brunostromme9904 4 місяці тому +1

    How do i rescive ais cheap with alarm

  • @jeromehamlin8209
    @jeromehamlin8209 7 місяців тому

    This was useful, but can you send me the link for the software? Nothing shows up when I connect by usb to the charging port on my PC.

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  7 місяців тому +1

      Link to software is in video description

  • @the_grand_tourer
    @the_grand_tourer 2 місяці тому

    @boatsandbits Very interesting ... always wary of Chinese stuff, it's 10 months after this video, what's been your experience? NB - I'm an annoying Mac user so a lot of this budget stuff designed to work on Windows is out of reach, unless I buy a cheap Windows lap top.

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  2 місяці тому +1

      You could probably get away with Virtual Box or something like that and link the com ports . It's still working great , it's fairly robust , i think they are way cheaper now as well . Some of the stuffs crap but some of it's pretty good like this.

    • @the_grand_tourer
      @the_grand_tourer 2 місяці тому +1

      @@boatsandbits Appreciate your feedback, thanks!

  • @javiertopsecret
    @javiertopsecret 11 місяців тому

    HI, I have configured the ST-109M with the 11 meter length parameters of my boat but the ST-109M overwrites the data and transmits the battery charge instead of the length. How can I make it transmit the correct length instead of transmitting the battery charge?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  11 місяців тому +1

      I think it transmits the battery as the manufactuer data rather than the length . if you have all the dimensions in then should display correctly . However I hadnt that inputed in my testing will update and see how it appears in Open CPN.

    • @javiertopsecret
      @javiertopsecret 11 місяців тому

      I'll also try to enter all the numbers and see what happens @@boatsandbits

    • @martintruran8469
      @martintruran8469 10 місяців тому

      V 1.7.0 seems to do the battery in reference point A but v 1.9.0 seems not to. Check which version you are running, it may help!

    • @larsboehme6907
      @larsboehme6907 9 місяців тому

      HI, How do I get the newer software?@@martintruran8469

    • @grcooke4161
      @grcooke4161 4 місяці тому

      I am having the same problem, 1.9.0 does not seem to help. I don't want to transmit that my boat is 100M long.@@martintruran8469

  • @christophermccann6529
    @christophermccann6529 5 місяців тому

    Has anyone tried the 10W version the RS-108M? Also has larger battery. The 109 is 5W. Is the software the same?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  5 місяців тому

      I must have a look !

    • @offpro
      @offpro Місяць тому

      The antenna and the hight of the antenna is the limitation, not the transition power.

  • @m.n.a.cruises
    @m.n.a.cruises 5 місяців тому

    would it be visible on sites like marine traffic?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  5 місяців тому +2

      We tested on the sea last weekend and we were visible on marine traffic the whole way .

    • @m.n.a.cruises
      @m.n.a.cruises 5 місяців тому

      ok, then i am buying one@@boatsandbits

  • @svflapjack8770
    @svflapjack8770 5 місяців тому

    Where do you find the driver for the usb?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  5 місяців тому +1

      Should be automatic for me anyways

    • @kenh6722
      @kenh6722 3 місяці тому

      ​@@boatsandbitsbut does the software work on a Linux computer?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  3 місяці тому

      @@kenh6722 i've not tried it with WINE .

  • @henriquebatista5912
    @henriquebatista5912 Рік тому

    link download software ST-109M Net locatro?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  Рік тому +1

      Uploaded it to my google drive and stuck a link in the description.

  • @peterharrington5256
    @peterharrington5256 8 місяців тому

    Where do you get the software from?

    • @boatsandbits
      @boatsandbits  8 місяців тому +1

      Check out the video description I've a download link

    • @peterharrington5256
      @peterharrington5256 8 місяців тому

      Thank you😀@@boatsandbits

  • @theresnobodyhere5778
    @theresnobodyhere5778 Рік тому +1

    ots great device the fishermen now putting them on their string of lobster pots although they dont name it lobster pot which is confusing to sailors they get a target not knowing what it is and ate looking out for another boat bewildered as to what they,re seeing on screen

    • @HeliBoyVR
      @HeliBoyVR 9 місяців тому +1

      pick them up and rename them yourself :p

    • @theresnobodyhere5778
      @theresnobodyhere5778 9 місяців тому +1

      free ais transmitter i like it

    • @HeliBoyVR
      @HeliBoyVR 9 місяців тому

      docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-1211A1_Rcd.pdf
      Seems they're illegal for such use in the USA.... $20-150k fine. Beware!

  • @dlombard
    @dlombard 3 місяці тому +1

    You need to fix your audio. The intro is screaming loud compared to the first monologue then it jumps up again for the main recording. Makes us adjust high then low then high again unnecessarily which makes me not want to watch any further.