AIS data

[pcav]

Hi all,
I'm looking for a way to get live AIS data through a public API or web service of some sort. Is this includes in OCPN?
Thanks.

[bcn]

You want to provide or you want to read AIS data?

Look at the manual at Options|Connections

[pcav]

Thanks for your reply. I'd like to read AIS data to be used on a desktop, and possibly also a web, GIS.

[bcn]

OpenCPN accepts input from TCP or UDP sources.

The manual is your friend...

[pcav]

Thanks. I have RTFM. AFAICT, OPCN is taking AIS data solely from the AIS instrument on board, and cannot use a public cateway or API, right?

[bcn]

Originally Posted by pcav

Thanks. I have RTFM. AFAICT, OPCN is taking AIS data solely from the AIS instrument on board, and cannot use a public cateway or API, right?

No, not right...

[pcav]

I may be tired, but I cannot find in: https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...#ais_data_port which public services OCPN uses. I also had a look to https://github.com/OpenCPN/OpenCPN/find/master, but could not find a config file.
Thanks.

[rgleason]

Sorry pcav for the trouble, but look under Options settings - Connections where Tcp/Udp is described.

[pcav]

Thanks a lot, and sorry for bothering. I know this is not directly related to OPCN, but I'm new to AIS, and cannot find on the net much on AIS feeds.
So far I have found that SF feed has address 76.103.90.196:9009, but I have no clue about the call to send to get data from it. If you have a link where I can study and find feeds and calls you'd do me a big favour.
More generally, I believe a tighter integration between OCPN and GIS (most notably QGIS) would be a good improvement for both.
Thanks again.

[transmitterdan]

You have to pay money to some sight like Marine Traffic to gain access to internet AIS feeds. If you know the IP address and port number then tell OpenCPN these numbers and it will connect. The protocol is a simple TCP socket that sends out the raw AIS messages just like a real AIS receiver.

If you set up an AIS receiver and contribute to Marine Traffic they will often give you a free account.

[pcav]

OK, thanks.

[bcn]

The other one is AIShub. As a contributor of data you get access to the rest of the data.

You might start with your own internal network and an AIS receiver.
Look at RTL-SDR for a cheap solution - always under the condition that you are at a site with reception of some real AIS targets.


And can you give a bit more of reasoning why OCPN should be "tighter integrated with GIS"? What would be the advantages on both sides?


Hubert

[Rasbats]

For the San Francisco Bay area:
ais.exploratorium.edu:80

Test it in your web browser.

For OpenCPN:
Tools->Connections->Add Connection
Network
TCP
Address ... ais.exploratorium.edu
Dataport ... 80

Mike

[pcav]

Thanks Rasbats for the SF address.
As for OCPN-QGIS integration: of course I'm biased towards QGIS, but IMHO an integration would make it possible e.g. to:
* plan your route with some more methods (I have people taking samples for estimating plastic litter, and they could find optimal sampling strategy with GIS tools, then using it directly as a navigation tool
* publish online your route and other details (very easy to do in QGIS)
* more generally, using in OPCN many powerful tools we developed in QGIS, and cooperating with a large, thriving community.
I'm sure more ideas will follow easily.