RTL-SDR plugin

[Wbartoszy]

Hi.
I am trying to use RTL-SDR / USB receiver as AIS receiver on Windows 10 PC using RTL-SDR plugin.


Unfortunately, I can't.


In the plugins's configuration window, I can't get me to have "rtl_fm | aisdecoder" on the selection list - as is in the manual...
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...dar:rtlsdr_usb

I was running the Zadiag program (as is write on manual). But maybe with wrong settings...?

The same RTL-SDR receiver works in Raspberry pi under openplotter - so it is probably undamaged.

Anyone know how to run RTL-SDR plugin step by step on win10? Or any other suggestions?


Regards!

[piluso]

Hi
I can't help you with the rtl-sdr plugin, but you can use rtl-ais from here:
https://github.com/dgiardini/rtl-ais

Go to release section and download the zip with latest version.

Unzip anywhere you like in you computer

Edit the file ais.bat and adjust the PPM for you dongle

Double click ais.bat and it should work.

By default, the messages are sent to localhost (your own computer) to the port 10110. You must setup OpenCPN to read UDP packet on that port.

Good luck !



David

[Wbartoszy]

David - thank you very much for your answer.
However, it is not the AIS reception itself that is the problem, but the use of the RTL-SDR plugin for Opencpn. :-(
I thought a plugin RTL-SDR would simplify things ...
I know - I can receive AIS messages in a different way.

Thanks!

Wojtek

[seandepagnier]

the plugin just automatically invokes rtl ais and puts the data in opencpn. It does this in a few different possible ways. It can also tune vhf radio and plot the airplanes on opencpn using adsb. I have never used windows so it's no surprise it may not work but it is probably a trivial problem. It would need a windows developer to fix.

[Wbartoszy]

The effect is as you can see (first post): Options are inactive (gray), the list is empty.
I installed the plug and installed the driver di RTL-SDR with the help of the zadig program. According to the instructions: https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=opencpnpencpn_user_manuallugins:ai s_radar:rtlsdr_usb#windows

Windows

You must run the program zadig to install the driver available here http://zadig.akeo.ie/ The default settings should be fine.

The receiver program (rtl_fm) and decoder (aisdecoder) are included as pre-built binaries, so from here, install the plugin setup package. So far I have no pre-built packages for gnuradio on windows, but this would be useful if provided. If there are issues it may be helpful to install the sdrsharp program to determine if the dongle is receiving data at all.

What (plugin?, zadig?... other?) are the receiver program (rtl_fm) and decoder (aisdecoder) included and how to install them?

I ran the sdrsharp program - the dongle works (screen shots)



(The same dongle also works under OpenPlotter (raspberry pi) - receives AIS and ADS-B)

Perhaps the problem is trival. I am happy to do some tests (but I'm not a windows developer, only windows user).

What should I do to help myself ... and you with the tests?

Regards - Wojtek