RTL SDR AIS RECEIVER

category ais

WHAT IS IT ?

It is an Android app / application that decodes AIS messages transmitted by ships via radio using a cheap USB DVB-T / RTL-SDR stick.

AIS messages are transmitted over VHF.
Channel A: 161.975 MHz
Channel B: 162.025 MHz.
The app decodes both channels simultaneously.

This application does not need an internet connection, it decodes the received messages in real time.
This is a true standalone full featured AIS receiver.

The received messages are translated into NMEA0183 strings which can then be forwarded via UDP or TCP streaming to third party applications, PC programs or other devices.
Such applications can, for example, display the received AIS data on a map together with information about the received objects.

Please note: The app needs additional (very cheap) hardware to receive the radio signals.

FEATURES

You have an Android device ?
Make a real offline full dual channel AIS receiver with an DVB-T USB stick.

  • Cheap DIY AIS dual channel AIS receiver
  • works offline – no internet
  • Low power consummation
  • Easy to install
  • Receive VHF AIS radio signals via DVB-T / RTL SDR USB Stick
  • Decode AIS messages into NMEA0183 strings ( !AIVDM )
  • Send this messages via Network (UDP/TCP)
  • Device location (GPS,Network) translation into NMEA strings
  • location NEMA forwarding via Network (UDP)(GPGSV,GPGSA,GPZDA,GPRMC,..)

HARDWARE

Typical costs ~ 20€ to 80€ depending on the quality and items you already have.
see AIS Receiver Shopping Guide – ebcTech

RTL AIS Hardware devices

Android device

Phone, Tablet, TV- Box …

USB – DVB-T Stick (RTL SDR)

with fix PPM or without

Antenna

build you own antenna or use the one shipped with your dongle

USB OTG cable

USB OTG

to connect your USB Stick / Dongle

Detail information you can find in this separate blog post AIS Receiver Shopping Guide – ebcTech


SOFTWARE


RTL AIS DRIVER

This is the free driver app, it’s needed in any case.
In the driver app there is demo/test mode implemented.
Mainly to test the app if your hardware is compatible.
Please use this demo mode before buying the full version. The demo mode is limited to 1000 received AIS messages.

read the Tutorial


AIS SHARE

  • Ais Share Main screen

BENFITS

  • Nice user friendly GUI
  • Share AIS data with your favorite chart plotting app like OpenCPN, Navionics, BoatBeacon, MarineTraffic, …
    share data with 3 different UDP clients or let AIS Share act as an TCP server ( limited to one client)
  • GPS location data forwarding (UDP)
  • no limitation on received AIS messages

read the Tutorial


Disclaimer

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE REGENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. DO NOT rely upon AIS Share or RTL AIS DRIVER for safety of life or property.

Legal attribution

Android, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

4 comments

  1. Hello, I have the Rtl ais driver, but I have already reached 1000 msg, the problem is that I already have the rtl share and I cannot reactivate the rtl driver, How can I make it work?

    1. You should use the AIS SHARE app. You do not need the Test Mode in RTL AIS Driver. It is a test mode that works for 1000 msg.
      Don’t forget to go to the settings menu in AIS SHARE. All settings you used at RTL AIS Driver will not taken over to AIS SHARE. Use only the app AIS SHARE, and just keep RTL AIS Driver in your mobile device.

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