Any further update on Shiptrax please?

[Johnn]

Thank You

[tarbat]

I'm still on the same beta release from September 2009 :(

The last I heard back in February was that Airnav are working on it almost 16 hrs/day.

[Johnn]

Wow, I really hope it pays off for them, It should be a success!

[jannuh]

Trueheading has a new AIS receiver, it works with various software:
http://www.trueheading.se/en/ais-rx-carbon

(serial and usb connection)

[radarspotter10]

Trueheading has a new AIS receiver, it works with various software:
http://www.trueheading.se/en/ais-rx-carbon

(serial and usb connection)

hi jannuh.
Thanks for the post
Not bad  Starting at: 289.00 EUR, AIRNAV WAKEN UP..
from pat

[tarbat]

Yes, there's a few AIS receivers with USB around the £230 mark, such as http://www.mesltd.co.uk/digital-yacht-ais200-receiver-with-usbnmea-p-12561.html

I guess the Airnav unit will have the advantage of offering Ethernet connection as well, but I do wonder if it will ever be released to market :(

[Johnn]

Are setting up one of these other AIS receivers hard? & what software would you use?, I preferebly want to buy a airnav ship box though...
Thanks

[tarbat]

Are setting up one of these other AIS receivers hard? & what software would you use?, I preferebly want to buy a airnav ship box though...
Thanks

http://www.coaa.co.uk/shipplotter.htm works with most AIS receivers.

[tarbat]

Okay, I've waited long enough.  I'm going to buy a Comar AIS-2-USB receiver at £176.47 to use with the ShipTrax beta software.  Airnav have been "announcing" this product for over 2 years now, I can't wait any longer, unless Airnav can offer an actual release date?

And can anyone recommend a good antenna to use for AIS - I presume any decent VHF antenna will do?

[AirNav Support]

Sorry Tarbat to keep your waiting for so long.

We don't have a release date yet, apologies. We hope to have more details soon of a date in the next month or so.

[tarbat]

Okay Airnav, thanks for the honest reply.  I've just ordered the Comar AIS-2-USB, so will be interesting to see how it works with the ShipTrax software, compared to ShipPlotter.

[jannuh]

And can anyone recommend a good antenna to use for AIS - I presume any decent VHF antenna will do?

As stated Tarbat, any antenna suitable for VHF will do the trick.
I my self use a combi antenna for HAM use, it's a 2mtr/70cm (144/430 mHz) antenna,
length abt. 2.40 meters.

But you really need just an antenna for 2 meter band ofcourse!

You can find find various self built projects on the internet, but in your area, with strong winds, you need a robust antenna.

Quality of coax cable is less critical then for 1090 mHz, but I wouldn't go for less then RG213

[tarbat]

Thanks jannuh.   Looking at something like this - http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=352471

[radarspotter10]

Thanks jannuh.   Looking at something like this - http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=352471

hi.
I use a Watson tri band, ham aerial, with shiplotter works very well,  but i would go for this one
http://www.moonraker.eu/Marine-Radio/Marine-Antennas/MARINE-300
same aerial cheaper price.
PS:
Reading between the lines looks like AirNav ShipTrax  is a no no,  maybe they think there's no market for it.?
from pat.

[Johnn]

And can anyone recommend a good antenna to use for AIS - I presume any decent VHF antenna will do?

As stated Tarbat, any antenna suitable for VHF will do the trick.
I my self use a combi antenna for HAM use, it's a 2mtr/70cm (144/430 mHz) antenna,
length abt. 2.40 meters.

But you really need just an antenna for 2 meter band ofcourse!

You can find find various self built projects on the internet, but in your area, with strong winds, you need a robust antenna.

Quality of coax cable is less critical then for 1090 mHz, but I wouldn't go for less then RG213

Hi Jannuh
Please could you tell me what software you use for your setup, is it ship plotter? and what type of range do you get from the antenna you use please?
I take it you are near the coastline?
Thank you
John