AirNav Systems Forum

AirNav ShipTrax => AirNav ShipTrax Discussion => Topic started by: cosmoc on September 09, 2008, 09:12:23 AM

Title: Any Updates?
Post by: cosmoc on September 09, 2008, 09:12:23 AM
Hi all
Have not herd alot about the Shiptrax in a while and i was wondering if we are any closer to the release or if you have any more screenshots?

cosmoc
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Support on September 09, 2008, 09:23:15 AM
Development is ongoing and there should be some news and screenshots soon.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: cosmoc on September 09, 2008, 09:06:58 PM
good on you airnav looking forward to seeing it
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on September 12, 2008, 11:26:46 AM
To be more detailed, software is 95% finished and we are still waiting for the hardware development - HW tests should start in 15 days.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: cosmoc on September 14, 2008, 07:20:33 AM
looking forward to it :-)
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Peter on October 01, 2008, 09:20:21 AM
Any forecast yet as to when the "software only" option will be released please? I have my own AIS receiver, and I'm sure that there will many be others in the same position. You could obtain some valuable "in the field" experience from people like myself which may find an odd glitch for you before you release the complete kits!
Here's hoping!
Regards

Peter (G8ZQA)
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on October 01, 2008, 09:40:39 AM
We are testing HW units now and software is almost finished.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: cosmoc on October 05, 2008, 07:41:44 AM
for the ais reciver what one are you useing?
and what would i need to buy if i wanted the software only version?(prices)
thanks
:-)
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Peter on October 05, 2008, 08:49:11 AM
I'm using the Comar SLR200 unit. As you know there are two receive frequencies, many models simply alternate reception between the two channels. This particular model actually has two receivers in the one unit, each one especially set up for its own channel, so you theorectically stand more chance of good coverage of a weak signal. I've been quite happy with it, although sharing inside the programme I am presently using reveals a few extra ships in my nearest port, no doubt shielded by cranes etc, that I cannot see directly from this location.
I have had the Comar quite a while now so could not comment on its current availibility.
I believe that the AirNav product may rely heavily on sharing, so something simple such as the NASA A.I.S. Engine may be all that is needed, they are still widely available and a few firmware improvements have been made over the original model. I have no idea how bespoke the AirNav's own unit will be, or its cost in comparson with receivers available on dealers shelves!
If my computer had not blown a gasket when SP3 was auto downloaded, I might have been helping with the test programme so might have had a better idea of which way things were developing!
Hope this helps
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: marcdeklerk on October 05, 2008, 05:55:29 PM
Airnav any pictures for us!!?
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on October 05, 2008, 06:25:50 PM
We are now in possession of the finished hardware unit for testing and it looks amazing. Very similar to the RadarBox hardware but with a Serial and USB output and white with black font. We are testing its performance.

The software is also running 24/7 for 1 month now: it is based on RadarBox 2.0 software so very stable. More news to follow.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: mt007 on October 05, 2008, 09:40:34 PM
Great news Development
Regards
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: cosmoc on October 06, 2008, 02:06:40 AM
Thank you for the reply:-)
I was thinking of purchesing the NASA A.I.S reciver and the Shiptrax software. Airnav, Have you done a comparison of your hardware to an A.I.S reciver to see if the reciver matches the shiptrax hardware?
Also if i was to buy the NASA hardware would all i need be in the NASA box? or would i have to buy cabels? etc.
Thanks 
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: titigti on October 06, 2008, 08:13:39 AM
I'm using the sr-161  works very well for me. Only thing to do is putting the antenna on the roof.

www.liveais.nl to see my reception at the moment.


Regards,
Etienne
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Allocator on October 06, 2008, 08:23:44 AM
Thank you for the reply:-)
I was thinking of purchesing the NASA A.I.S reciver and the Shiptrax software. Airnav, Have you done a comparison of your hardware to an A.I.S reciver to see if the reciver matches the shiptrax hardware?
Also if i was to buy the NASA hardware would all i need be in the NASA box? or would i have to buy cabels? etc.
Thanks 

I've got the NASA AIS engine, although as I live a long way from the sea, I haven't used it a great deal!

However, I have tested it with the COAA ShipPlotter program and it works just fine with that.  The NASA receiver is best described as "cheap and cheerful" rather than as a nice bit of kit.  The NASA engine comes with a 9-pin "D" type serial lead - this is the first problem, as none of my laptops have serial connections as these have all been replaced by USB -  so the first cost hit was a USB to Serial adaptor for the laptop.  Also, although there is a power lead, it doesn't have a plug of any type and there is no included mains power supply.  The AIS engine requires a nominal 12 volts, although I think that it will work a bit above and below this.  I used ShipPlotter and the receiver mobile in the car, so I had to put a standard car "cigar lighter" plug on the lead - second cost hit!

The NASA engine has no indicator lights at all, so it's difficult to know when it's working.  I fired up the laptop, connected the AIS engine and plugged it into the cars 12 volt socket - and nothing happened!  Was this because there were no ships, was the antenna no goood, or maybe the receiver wasn't talking to the laptop! It became a case of trial an error to change the settings in ShipPlottter until I got some ships plotting.

The AIS engine does come with a trial version of Souls on Board - again a bit of a nightmare to set this up - but it does have a window that shows the raw data from the receiver so you can see if the data is flowing.  If it's not, it's usually a Com port issue.

So, I'm tempted to go for the complete AirNav solution of software and hardware, as at least the two should talk to each other and hopefully there will be some indicator lights on the receiver like the RadarBox hardware.  Also, as I believe that the connection will be USB rather that Serial (although I think that Serial will be an option) then it should be easier to set up.  If you think it's difficult to set up USB drivers, then you should try USB to Com port drivers!  I have no idea what the performance of the AirNav receiver will be compared to the AIS engine, but I have had reports of the AIS item being a bit deaf - it's a cheap receiver, so you can't expect the world.  Maybe somebody here uses one more regularly and can pass comment.

I hope to mostly use the Network function of ShipTrax, but I do want the receiver for those trips to the coast - I'm really looking forward to the release, it can't be too far off now!
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: marcdeklerk on October 06, 2008, 08:48:39 AM
Will the Airnav receiver receive both AIS frequencies at the same time, like some of the other receivers on the market? - AIS1 161.975 MHz, AIS2 162.025 MHz - that would be nice! -a true parallel AIS receiver
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Allocator on October 06, 2008, 08:58:33 AM
I forgot to mention - the NASA AIS engine only works on one of the AIS frequencies.  You can chooose this by sending a "string" to the engine using a terminal program, or at least it says you can in the somewhat "thin" instuction sheet!

Apparently, only receiving one frequency isn't really a major problem.  Again, I don't have a lot of experience here, so maybe somebody has some practical experience.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Peter on October 06, 2008, 09:25:57 AM
Sometimes the "other" frequency produces a better signal at your location. I did prove that several times with the NASA Engine by finding a new ship by changing the frequency! The problem then came in that some existing contacts disappeared! I tried the new chip which everyone raved about on the ShipPlotter group and found it much better than the original. However, i had the chance to obtain a "Dual reception" Comar SLR200, and find that very good indeed. However, this only has a 9 pin COM port outlet, so if AirNav only allow a USB input from their rig, I am back to square one!

Cheers
Peter
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: marcdeklerk on October 06, 2008, 03:42:28 PM
Airnav give us some technical info on the receiver, please

regards
Marc
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on October 06, 2008, 04:27:38 PM
It will be permanently scanning between the 2 AIS frequencies so both are covered.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: marcdeklerk on October 06, 2008, 05:08:40 PM
cool!
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: CanadaKen on October 09, 2008, 07:08:04 PM
The Comar Ais-2-USB has had good reviews.

Yachtbits has them
http://www.yachtbits.com/

CK
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: cosmoc on October 10, 2008, 09:19:53 AM
looks interesting CanadaKen!
any body out their using one/seen one?
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: mt007 on October 12, 2008, 03:46:45 AM
Hi development,
no more ShipTrax screenshots?
Thx.
Regards.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on October 12, 2008, 02:51:48 PM
Not for now.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: marcdeklerk on October 31, 2008, 12:54:58 PM
AirNav, will Shiptrax be out in time for Christmas? Thanks
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on October 31, 2008, 02:15:37 PM
We hope so but we cannot guarantee it yet. :-(
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: mapguy on November 06, 2008, 10:59:49 PM
Wow, ShipTrax is officially delayed 1 year. Who is managing this project? AirNav is better than this, c'mon please just let us know the truth of when this product will be released.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Support on November 06, 2008, 11:17:22 PM
Hi mapguy,

Not sure where you have got that from. We never announced a release date in the first place. Only in the summer did we actually release the website for ShipTrax.

Anyhow the software is looking good, we are just awaiting the hardware front.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: oceans777 on December 08, 2008, 01:40:21 AM
I'm looking forward to the integrated Missle Barrage Anti-Piracy Defence feature with real-time, nose-cone video (Admirals Edition only) and target tracking.
Frankly, I wondered why this feature wasn't available years ago.

Way to to Airnav! Good on ya!
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on December 08, 2008, 01:51:06 AM
ShipTrax Software is 99% finished. We are still waiting for the hardware to pass final tests to release the package. Unfortunately we are having some delays making it almost impossible to release before February.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: cosmoc on December 08, 2008, 05:19:27 AM
at least your on the home strech
hopefuly:-)
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: marcdeklerk on February 17, 2009, 05:24:44 AM
any updates airnav? Looking forward!!
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Peter on February 17, 2009, 08:58:38 AM
Another thread has this statement: -

Unfortunately the bad news is that the release date is estimated to be around the end of April so 3 more months of waiting. This is now and finally a fixed release date as the new contract is already signed.

So add a bit more for the inevitable delays and a possible answer is June?
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: tarbat on February 17, 2009, 09:18:12 AM
I'm hoping for early May at the latest.  With Exercise Joint Warrior starting on 11th May, I'm hoping to have ShipTracker up and running by then.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Peter on February 17, 2009, 09:52:21 AM
I have my own AIS receiver, so do not really want to have to buy the whole package but of course understand that AirNav would prefer that option.
If they are planning to sell seperately, and the software was "99% finished" in December, I would have thought that they would get some valuable feedback if they released it before the main launch date, whenever that might be.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Peter on February 22, 2009, 09:16:40 AM
Im not the only one of the opinion then that you will have to buy the whole package which includes the AIS receiver, see the latest edition of Radio User for March 2009! It obviously makes business sense to AirNav, but anyone who already owns a decent AIS receiver will probably stick to SP until something goes wrong with their present equipment. It will be very interesting to see how sales pan out in reality!
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: marcdeklerk on February 22, 2009, 04:30:48 PM
I think airnav did mention a while ago that you will have a choice of hardware or software or both rgs m
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: Peter on February 22, 2009, 05:32:48 PM
We can only hope!
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: mt007 on February 25, 2009, 01:41:41 AM
Hi development,
any update for shiptrax?
Thx
Regards
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on February 25, 2009, 07:52:48 AM
Answered on this forum a few days ago.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on February 26, 2009, 01:26:52 AM
Negative. We sent a detailed update about 2 weeks ago. Do a forum search and you will find it.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: mt007 on February 26, 2009, 01:43:15 AM
Ok Development,
i will search.
Thx.
Regards


P.S. "We would to update our users on the status of the ShipTrax Project: after several problems with the company that was developing the necessary AIS Receiver (that caused all the delays already explained on this forum) we decided to outsource this development task to a different company, already experienced in this area.

The good news is that we will develop the first AIS receiver available on the market including all the 4 features below:
- Dual-channel (receives the 2 AIS frequencies at the same time);
- Ethernet output;
- RS232 output;
- USB output;

Unfortunately the bad news is that the release date is estimated to be around the end of April so 3 more months of waiting. This is now and finally a fixed release date as the new contract is already signed.

Anyway make sure we are doing our best to develop the best ever AIS and Ship Tracking system available.

Again thanks for your understating in this matter. I'm sure you will all be addicted to this system as the quality is very similar to the successful AirNav RadarBox."
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: AirNav Development on February 26, 2009, 02:08:03 AM
Happy to see you found it. If this project depended only on us it would have been ready a few months ago. Anyway the software looks amazing.
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: mt007 on February 26, 2009, 02:13:16 AM
I hope so development.
But it is possible put more screenshots?
I think is good for future clients to see how is going the work.
Is my opinion of course.
Good job.
Regards
Title: Re: Any Updates?
Post by: marcdeklerk on February 26, 2009, 06:29:42 PM
I would also like to see more pictures!!