Following the popular , due to popular demand, we're now stocking the Wegmatt dAISY 2 AIS receiver!
This AIS receiver is built for boaters. Compact, robust, and with all the interfaces you need. Thanks to its two-channel design, the dAISy 2 receives about 40% more messages than the original single-channel dAISy. This improves acquisition time and update rate of AIS targets, while the range is comparable for both models.
NMEA 0183 / RS-422 output
The dAISy 2 AIS Receiver can directly talk to chart plotters and other marine electronics. In addition, the integrated DC/DC converter allows you to power it from your boat's 12-36V power system, removing the need for a USB power source.
dAISy was successfully tested with chart plotters (Garmin GpsMap 750s, Standard Horizon CP180i, Samyung N700), NMEA routers (vyacht) and RS-422 routers (Transas 4 port RS-422 to Ethernet). I expect it to also work with other devices that support NMEA 0183 or RS-422 input.
dAISy works great with OpenCPN and OpenPlotter
, an open-source chart plotter and navigation software, can be used with devices like dAISy to track ships on a map. Any software running on a PC, Mac or small Linux computer that accepts AIS data from a serial input will work with dAISy.
Several of our customers built chart plotters based on a Raspberry Pi 2, OpenCPN and dAISy. .
Disclaimer: WE DO NOT RECOMMEND relying solely on dAISy for navigation and collision avoidance!
Reporting to MarineTraffic
dAISy is well suited to report nearby ship traffic to websites and services like , , or .
A user of an early prototype of dAISy documented how to configure a Linux system like to report directly to MarineTraffic .
An alternative approach is to use . Kplex is a NMEA-0183 Multiplexer which allows to feed the AIS data stream to multiple targets, including services like MarineTraffic and AISHub. Kplex also allows you to setup a NMEA server to distribute AIS to other devices on your network, like for example via WiFi to a navigation app running on an iPad. for Linux and for Windows are a similar tools.
Auxiliary Serial Output
For tinkerers, the serial data stream is available on a 0.1" header on the back of the unit. Advanced users can combine dAISy with a Bluetooth module to receive AIS on wireless devices, or connect a data logger like .
In fact, the pin-out of the auxiliary serial port is compatible with the / and DT-06 TTL to WiFi modules commonly found on eBay, AliExpress and the like. .
If UART serial communication is all you need, also take a look at our , which can be run standalone without a Raspberry Pi.
How dAISy compares
With our , we pioneered a new category of AIS receivers designed around the single chip radio IC. This architecture is instrumental for the very low price, small form factor and low power consumption. The trade-offs are longer acquisition time, lower sensitivity and less range than traditional AIS receivers.
Field tests with conventional dual-channel receivers (like SmartRadio SR162, advanSEA RX-100) showed that dAISy 2 indeed has lower range and is slower to acquire targets. However dAISy 2 clearly outperforms other low-cost receivers that we've tested (Quark-elec, MarineGadget).
Our observation is, that with a good antenna dAISy is well-suited to monitor local ship traffic. If you need maximum performance and are willing to pay for it, go with a receiver from the established brands.
Specifications
- Dual channel receiver
- Receiving on channel A (161.975 MHz) and B (162.025 MHz) simultaneously
- 38400 baud serial output over USB in industry standard NMEA format (AIVDM)
- NMEA 0183 output at 4800, 9600 or 38400 baud for connection to chart plotters
- Auxiliary TTL serial output for connection to other devices
- No drivers required for Windows 10, Mac OS X and Linux (driver available for older versions of Windows).
- Supported by Boat Beacon, OpenCPN and SailGrib WR on Android devices with USB OTG.
- BNC connector for 50 Ohm VHF antenna (antenna not included)
- Mini-USB connector for data and power (3ft USB cable included)
- 5mm pitch terminal block for NMEA (matching plug with screw terminals included)
- Can be powered over USB or from a 12-36V DC power source
- Low power consumption, less than 500mW in receive mode (<100mA at 5V, <40mA at 12V)
- Very robust aluminum enclosure with mounting holes, size: 105 x 80 x 28mm
- Made in the USA
Resources
Package Contents
- 1x dAISy 2 AIS Receiver
- 1x USB cable
- 1x Screw terminal plug