Ais Decoding Software

Written by Sebastian OliasUpdated over a week agoWith AIS Decoder you are able to forward received AIS data to FleetMon and to use decoded AIS data for your own purposes simultaneously.The following instructions enable you to send your AIS data to FleetMon via AIS Decoder. You can download the AIS Decoder software here:. There you will also find help for the installation and detailed information about features and more options. Configuration:. When you start the application, you will see this main window. You need to tick the Serial checkbox in the 'Input' field. On the 'Output' field you have to tick the UDP check box.

Click the. button in the 'Control' field. A new window will pop up. On the 'Settings' field you have to select your COM port. Click to learn about how you select the COM port your receiver is connected to.

Also, select the standard AIS serial data speed (baud rate) 38400. Tick UDP Output in the 'UDP' field and select NMEA as the output method. On the 'Output UDP' field you have to enter ' ais.fleetmon.com' as a client and your personal port number you received from FleetMon. Click on the Save button to save your current settings. Close the Options window and return to the main window.

Click on the Start button on the 'Control' field to start sending AIS data. Three additional windows will open: the NMEA Input window, the UDP Output window, and the Summary window. Go now to FleetMon.com and check your 'My AIS Stations' page.

After 5-10 minutes the statistics of your data should be displayed. Congratulations! Your station is online and you are sharing data with us. If you want to share your data also with other services we can forward the data on your behalf or you are trying another software, i.e. Ship Plotter.

Cross-Platform Console Software-defined radio (SDR) receiver/decoder for marine Automatic Information System (AIS) signals. Complete setting up and getting data flow from DVB-T RTL2832 (in SDR mode) receiver (both channels simultaneously).

ShipPlotter displays complete information about ships that are within VHF range of your position using the Universal Automatic Identification System (AIS).

AIS is a system that ships use to communicate their positions to each other as part of the global maritime safety system. From December 2004, all ships over 300 tons must carry an AIS system which broadcasts information about the ship to any suitably equipped receiver.AIS uses very short bursts of high speed data on two VHF channels in the marine band. The two frequencies used are 161.975 (Marine ch 87 AIS) and 162.025 (ch 88 AIS) MHz. Ships broadcast their identity, position, course, speed and destination so that other ships can take account of their movements. Using a low cost radio scanner tuned to one or other of these channels and ShipPlotter software running on your PC, you will be able to see a radar-like real-time map (below) of all the large ships manoeuvring in your area together with information about their destination, estimated time of arrival and even the dimensions of each vessel.

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ShipPlotter Features

ShipPlotter decodes the AIS digital signals from each ship using the sound card in your PC. You need a suitable VHF band radio receiver tuned to one of the two AIS channels. The program decodes the received digital data and displays it in a variety of formats.

• Signal mode - In Signal Mode, ShipPlotter displays the raw digital signals on your PC screen in a diagnostic display which helps you to set up the system.
• Message mode - In Message Mode, ShipPlotter displays each decoded message in plain language on your PC screen.
• Ship mode - In Ship Mode, ShipPlotter displays each decoded message in plain language on your PC screen. There is one line in the display for each ship. Depending on which message formats have been received from the ship, the information may contain the MSSI number of the ship, its name, its destination and the expected date and time of arrival, its length, beam and draught, and the latest position report received from the ship.
• Chart mode - In Chart Mode, ShipPlotter displays the position and identification of each ship on a chart of the area. ShipPlotter comes with a general purpose world map but you can add your own maps to ShipPlotter simply by digitizing a chart to create a BMP or JPG graphic file and calibrating the chart using tools built in to ShipPlotter. ShipPlotter can also read BSB format marine charts provided that your system performance, memory, etc. can handle the size of the chart.
• Ship details - In chart mode, if you right click on one of the ships displayed in the chart, a pop up window (right) displays all the data received about the ship you have selected. If you are connected to the internet, there is a Search button that will access the ITU ship callsign database to discover even more details about the ship including its port of registry.
• Message log - ShipPlotter can store all messages received and decoded in a text file for later analysis. It can also store messages in formats that are not decoded, in a hex format for subsequent decoding.
• Radar view - ShipPlotter can display the position and identification of ships on a circular display centred on the user's position, which can be a dynamic position based on positions from a connected GPS receiver. This radar display can be either North Up, or Heading Up.
• Serial input - ShipPlotter can decode messages received from a dedicated AIS receiver using NMEA serial format.
• Serial output - ShipPlotter can output demodulated messages to any AIS-compatible serial plotter using NMEA serial format.
• GPS input - ShipPlotter can include position data from a local GPS receiver on the displayed chart and can automatically centre the chart on the current position.
• Message sharing - ShipPlotter can use the Internet to share your messages with others so that all see the totality of messages received by participating users.
• Local sharing - ShipPlotter can share received messages with other instances of the program running on machines over a local area network.
• Automatic chart selection - If you have a selection of charts of your coverage area, ShipPlotter can automatically choose the appropriate chart to display any chosen ship of interest.
• Multiple sound card support - ShipPlotter can choose between multiple soundcards if you have more than one. This means that, subject to processing power, you can run multiple instances of ShipPlotter processing audio from more than one source.
• COM Automation support - ShipPlotter can be accessed by VB Scripts or other services through a COM interface.
• Automatic chart downloading - ShipPlotter can access several global databases of satellite imagery to use as the background chart for displaying ship positions.
• Waypoint/track/route overlays - ShipPlotter can display waypoints, routes and tracks that are read from a GPS data file in GPX data format.
• Peer-to-peer sharing - ShipPlotter can share data with up to four other instances of SP using UDP datagrams over a local network or over the Internet.
• TCP/IP client - ShipPlotter can receive data from a remote TCP/IP server that transmits NMEA AIS message data.
• TCP/IP server - ShipPlotter can receive data from a remote TCP/IP client that transmits NMEA AIS message data.
• Google Earth server - ShipPlotter can present a server to Google Earth that delivers ship position data that will appear on a Google Earth map.
• Memory Map support - ShipPlotter can control Memory Map Navigator(TM) so that it displays ships that are currently being displayed by ShipPlotter.
• MultiMap support - ShipPlotter can open a browser window on the MultiMap server so that it displays a ship that you designate. It can also import MultiMap maps into the SP chart window.
• HTTP server - ShipPlotter can present an HTTP server to other instances of ShipPlotter so that they can access the ship data on the host machine. It is possible to link a community of users with this feature, without requiring the use of a separate server.
• Language versions - ShipPlotter is also available with menu and dialog options in French.
• VMAP level 0 outline charts - ShipPlotter can display charts based on NIMA VMAP Level Zero data. The information is supplied in a compressed format including selected layers of certain limited areas.
• Navigation window - ShipPlotter allows you to create, edit, load and save a route and then to display navigation parameters relating to a designated ship following that route. The information includes cross track error, time to next route point and much else besides.
• Route window - ShipPlotter can display a route showing the track and distance between each route point, the estimated time between route points and the ETA at each route point.
• Rhein navigation - ShipPlotter decodes the Rhein waterway specific binary messages (DAC branch 200 - lock times, water levels, passenger and crew data, etc) and displays the data in the message window.
• SMS Alerts
  You can configure ShipPlotter to send details of ships that trigger your specified alerts, to a mobile phone number as a text message. This feature requires you to specify your mobile phone number and to buy message credits for the texts that you want to receive using this link.
• NV Charts
  ShipPlotter can read digital nautical charts of Europe, the USA and the Carribean produced by NV Charts obtainable via this link.

User feedback All, here is my report on ShipPlotter underway on our sailboat Sashay. Last Saturday, on a bright and sunny day in SF Bay, we departed our home slip and headed over to one of our favorite anchorages at Clipper Cove between Treasure & Yerba Buena islands here in SF Bay. Prior to departing, I had ShipPlotter running on my laptop outputting AIS info to my electronic charting program (OziExplorer). The AIS system faithfully reported all the ship, tug, and ferry traffic and since it was a clear day, it was easy to relate the display to the real world. All the shipping info and positions seemed to be very accurate. In fact, a tug was returning from berthing a ship and as I approached Oakland outer harbor from the opposite side of the container pier, I noticed the tug being plotted on ShipPlotter on the other side. I couldn't see the tug since it was on the other side of the pier but knew it was there and took action to avoid the tug as we both 'popped' out at the end of the pier. Sailing the Bay on Sunday was easier as well especially with ShipPlotter accurately showing course & speed for the high speed ferry traffic (30 - 35 knots) coming south from Vallejo, CA. As far as performance, ShipPlotter was plotting shipping as far out as 25 nm. Much farther than the radar. But, when the radar did detect a ship, it was easy to identify and track. Power drain on the battery bank was minimal since the only extra load was running the Yaesu FT2600 2m Ham radio. All in all, I think this is a very useful tool for identifing and avoiding the 'heavies'. Bev, thanks again for all of your efforts on this program. The 'radar' display is especially useful. Rodney S/V Sashay - K6YOT SF Bay, California

Pocket ShipPlotter

Pocket ShipPlotter is a compact version of ShipPlotter that runs on a Pocket PC (iPaq). It is intended for use in situations where it is not convenient to use a laptop or decktop computer. Like ShipPlotter, it displays AIS messages on a chart. Pocket ShipPlotter charts are compatible with ShipPlotter charts and calibration files. Pocket ShipPlotter does not include as many options as the desktop version but it can save decoded messages in a log file and complete data in an NMEA serial file. Unlike ShipPlotter, Pocket ShipPlotter does not accept receiver audio signals - it is only suitable with a serial AIS data source. Only ship position messages and ship static data messages are decoded by Pocket ShipPlotter but the option to save the complete NMEA serial data to a file allows you to replay the full data at a later date using ShipPlotter running on a laptop or desktop. You can download Pocket ShipPlotter from www.coaa.co.uk/pshipplotter.htm.

Other interesting monitoring software for the Maritime Mobile Service

If you are interested in ShipPlotter, you may also be interested in its sister application DSCdecoder.DSCdecoder decodes the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) messages used under the GMDSS for distress and calling purposes. DSC signalling is used in the MF, HF and VHF bands for distress and calling between ships and coast stations. Messages that can be decoded include routine calls for test purposes between ships and coast stations; calls to establish communication by some other means (voice, etc.) between a ship and a coast station; notification of routine and safety messages from coast stations; Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) messages, distress messages and distress relay messages. DSCdecoder will decode these messages and display and log their content. Like the AIS messages that ShipPlotter decodes, you can only hear the DSC messages on VHF if you are within VHF range of the sea. However, DSCdecoder also handles the DSC messages on MF and HF which can be received over much greater distances if you have a suitable receiver. As an added bonus, DSCdecoder also decodes Navtex messages of navigational and meteorolgical warnings that are broadcast on 518 kHz. It also decodes the identity of DGPS stations in the maritime beacon band. You can download DSCdecoder from www.coaa.co.uk/dscdecoder.htm.

Another marine monitoring application is EpirbPlotter. EPIRBs are Emergency Position Identifying Radio Beacons. The newly approved EPIRBs transmit digital messages on 406.025MHz. EpirbPlotter can decode these messages, including the messages transmitted when the Test function is activated. You can download EpirbPlotter from www.coaa.co.uk/epirbplotter.htm.

Requirements to run ShipPlotter

• Pentium level PC running WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8 with compatible sound card. The real time processing of the AIS messages is processor intensive and requires a machine of reasonable performance. To display large charts, you may also find that you require a surprising amount of memory.
• Dedicated AIS receiver with a serial output or a general purpose VHF band radio receiver tuned to one of the AIS channels. The receiver output should be taken from a discriminator tap with low phase and amplitude distortion. See below for a selection of receivers that will work with ShipPlotter without modification.
• If you already have a receiver that does not have a discriminator output, have a look at Rene's wonderful resource http://www.discriminator.nl/index-en.html which lists dozens of makes and models of receiver with details of how to connect to the discriminator output. This is really the secret to successful AIS decoding.

Download ShipPlotter

ShipPlotter can be downloaded freely and comes as a standard self installing setup file. The file size is around 3 Mb.

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• Download ShipPlotter (English W2k,XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1,Win10 version 12.5.4.1) now.

To use earlier versions of ShipPlotter after 31 December 2014 you will need an updated WMM.COF file, which contains the coefficients for the World Magnetic Model used to convert true bearings to magnetic.

• Right click on this link and select 'Save Target As'. You should save the file to the application directory where you have installed ShipPlotter (eg: C:Program filesCOAAShipPlotter) and then restart ShipPlotter.

Registration of ShipPlotter

ShipPlotter can be freely downloaded and used for 21 days. After that time it must be registered. Registration can be done swiftly and securely on-line and costs only Euro €25 for personal use and €215 for professional or corporate use. (VAT is added to these charges for customers within the EU). We strongly recommend that you ensure that ShipPlotter performs to your complete satisfaction before registering.

• Register ShipPlotter Now.

Support for ShipPlotter users

David Taylor has orchestrated an invaluable wikipedia for ShipPlotter users that you will find here.

• ShipPlotter wikipedia.

There is a lively discussion forum for ShipPlotter users in the Yahoo egroups domain where users exchange hints, tips, charts and suggestions.

• ShipPlotter forum.

FAQ file for ShipPlotter. If you have any questions relating to AIS or ShipPlotter, our FAQ file may have the answer.

• FAQ File.

Charts for ShipPlotter

To get the best out of ShipPlotter you need charts on which to plot the traffic that you receive.

NV Charts
ShipPlotter can read digital nautical charts of Europe, the USA and the Carribean produced by NV Charts obtainable via this link.

ShipPlotter itself can import satellite images that are automatically calibrated for use with the program.

If you need coastline charts rather than satellite images, Hal Mueller has generously provided a means to generate charts at his splendid Mobile Geographics website, where you can easily create a personalised chart of your local area.

• Mobile Geographics chart generator.

If you are in North America, you can download charts in BSB format (that ShipPlotter can read directly) from http://www.charts.noaa.gov. The charts you want are Raster Navigational Charts® (NOAA RNCs). Save the chart folder(s) in the chart files directory for ShipPlotter. Each folder contains a .BSB file and one or more .KAP files.

• Free BSB (KAP) charts of the USA coastline.

An alternative, if you are in the USA, is a two-DVD set of charts from Managing the Waterway. The BSB charts on these DVDs can be read by ShipPlotter and they make an attractive alternative (currently only $39.95) to downloading large volumes of data.

• USA Charts on DVD.

If you are in western Europe, you can download compressed VMAP Level Zero charts below. ShipPlotter can read the vec/nam files and generate a customised outline chart.

• Compressed VMAP Outline Charts of western Europe.

Plug-ins for ShipPlotter

Mass effect 3 terminus armor. CombiPlotter provides you with a low-overhead means of displaying the ship data known to ShipPlotter on another chart view. It will plot simultaneous data from ShipPlotter, PlanePlotter, OrbcommPlotter and SondeMonitor on a single chart.

• CombiPlotter.

Richard (VE3IGE) has devised an add-on for ShipPlotter that manages a database and displays the information carried by special binary message formats that are used by the AIS system in the St Lawrence Seaway area. The self installing package includes a VB runtime so it is somewhat over 4 Mb. The message formats include weather reports, water level and water flow reports, lock sequence messages and other interesting data. Rick's database archives and displays this information with a very professional user interface.

• Rick's AIS Message Manager.

If you have an earlier version, Richard has released an update file which which adds the display of meteorological information from European base stations. It is the replacement exe. You need to right click on the link below and select 'Save As' and store it in the directory where the original AISMessage.exe is saved.

• AIS Message Manager 2 update (exe only).

If you need to upload data at regular intervals to a web site (eg from the ship.vbs script), Richard has penned a utility to do that. Download the zip file, unzip it and run the setup file.

• Rick's Program Executioner.

SP2GM shows you your ShipPlotter plots on a local Google-Map display. Curt Deegan has exercised his skill with scripting languages to extract the current ships displayed on the ShipPlotter chart and to display them instead on a local Google-Map presentation. This add on requires an Internet connection for Google-Maps but it does not require a web server.

• Curt's SP2GM.

SpUp (ShipPlotter Uploader) is a tiny freeware utility for Linux users. As the name suggests, it allows you to upload AIS data to the ShipPlotter sharing server using a Linux box. It requires access to a serial port that receives AIS data in serial NMEA format from a dedicated AIS receiver, and Internet access. It can operate blind or in a command line window with command line options to specify the com port number and the user sharing ID code. The executable file was compiled with static linking and no library requirements. It has been tested on Red Hat/Fedora and SuSe but may work on other flavours of Linux.

• ShipPlotter Uploader vsn 2.6.

Radios suitable for ShipPlotter

There are a number of dedicated AIS receivers that deliver data that ShipPlotter can accept.

The following list of dedicated AIS receivers is by no means exhaustive.

• Special purpose AIS receiver/decoder
  NASA Marine produce an inexpensive AIS Engine which is a dedicated receiver/decoder that provides a serial output that can be connected directly to a serial port on a PC running ShipPlotter. It requires a separate 12 v power supply.

In addition to those, many VHF scanner receivers provide a discriminator output that can be connected to the PC Line-In and decoded by ShipPlotter. Many receivers that do not offer a discriminator output can be modified to yield a suitable signal output by following the instructions on Rene's valuable web site.

ShipPlotter change log

Version changes in ShipPlotter are to be found here.

• Version changes.

First Disclaimer

There are considerable variations in the legislation concerning radio reception in the different administrations around the world. It is your responsibility to determine whether or not your local administration permits the reception of AIS messages from ships. It is specifically forbidden to use ShipPlotter for any illegal purpose whatsoever. The existence and the availability of ShipPlotter is not to be construed as an incitement to commit any unlawful act. It is for use only in those states and regions where such use is permitted.

Second Disclaimer

If you carry ShipPlotter on board any vessel you must understand that, while ShipPlottermay provide you with some potentially useful information about some of the ships in your vicinity, COAA does not make any warranties whatsoever that ShipPlotter is fit or appropriate for any application, including but not limited to, applications where the safety of life is at stake. On the contrary, your primary means of navigation, collision avoidance and seamanship in general must place no reliance whatsoever on ShipPlotter or any of the data that it generates. Not all vessels carry AIS equipment; not all vessels that carry it can be relied upon to have it operational; the radio receiver to which ShipPlotter is connected may not be delivering all messages in a decodable form; ShipPlotter may not decode messages correctly; ShipPlotter code is reliability tested to an extent that is adequate for entertainment and educational use but is neither warranted nor tested for any operational use.

Contact us: support@shipplotter.com