AirNav Systems Forum

AirNav ShipTrax => AirNav ShipTrax Discussion => Topic started by: AirNav Development on November 29, 2007, 12:26:59 AM

Title: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Development on November 29, 2007, 12:26:59 AM
We are in the final stages of the development of "AirNav ShipTrax". It is a completely new application from AirNav Systems which marks our entrance into the Marine market.

Instead of ADS-B signals (as with RadarBox) it receives AIS signals (ship auto position messages). It includes an worldwide ship location network and a database with over 120 thousand ship details.

The application is very similar to AirNav RadarBox 2007 with the already well known superior interface.

First Public Screen Shot is below.
Hope you enjoy it. We are totally open for any possible suggestions.


[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Peter on November 29, 2007, 08:10:06 AM
Does this include an AIS type receiver in the package? Many of us who use a similar programme from another source already have our own dedicated AIS receivers.
It sounds fantastic if the software package can be purchased on its own!
Although I may be sited 15 miles inland I get good coverage of Harwich and its approaches so if you require any Beta testers in the field, my set up will stretch it as it did with RB!

Peter
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Peter on November 29, 2007, 09:49:11 PM
I would like to be able to import my own maps and delete your charts if you are going to use the "approximate" map as in RB. It would be very unrealistic for ships to sail over dry land on harbour approaches which I'm sure will happen if the RB type of connected straight line drawing was used. A link to Earth Browser would be a great help.

Peter
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Development on November 29, 2007, 11:22:25 PM
We confim that AirNav ShipTrax is the software only. It is already compatible with NASA Marine AIS or any other NMEA output device. You can even opt to receive data from a TCP/IP connection. So the answer is that the user may opt to buy the software only or the software+hardware if needed.

Regarding maps adding previously created: we have sent a personal message to Peter and waiting for a reply. More suggestions are welcome.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: DaveG on November 30, 2007, 09:00:16 AM
very interesting, have tried other ship tracking software but did not get along with it at the time.  Can you clarify when you say "receive data from a tcp/ip connection" does this mean from your own hardware or a network system that will be available if you have no hardware?
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Roadrunner on December 01, 2007, 08:00:51 PM
I live too far from the sea to make any use of an AIS engine to pick up my own data but I would be interested in a program only set up using the internet.

AirNav Would it be a one-off payment or a yearly subscription, which you seem to favour with the aviation products?
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Support on December 01, 2007, 10:32:06 PM
Not confirmed yet, when it is the price details will be announced.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Allocator on December 05, 2007, 10:36:13 AM
Like RoadRunner, I live too far from the sea to pick up live AIS signals, but I do want to be able to use ShipTrax so I hope that there is a network only option that works for me.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: CanadaKen on December 06, 2007, 12:13:18 AM
I think the cheapest way to go would be one of the "software radios" like the
ICOMs. I believe they all have IF/discriminator access.

Any other radio ideas to get into ShipTrax fairly cheaply?

CK
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Allocator on December 06, 2007, 08:49:58 AM
I think the cheapest way to go would be one of the "software radios" like the
ICOMs. I believe they all have IF/discriminator access.

Any other radio ideas to get into ShipTrax fairly cheaply?

CK


The NASA AIS engine seems to be fairly popular here in the UK.  I haven't actually got one, as I won't be able to pick up the transmissions from home.  However, it is cheap enough for me to "have in" just in case I drive to the coast for the day.  As I mentioned earlier, I'd like to try ShipTrax with Network only data if I can, then get the AIS engine later.

http://www.allgadgets.co.uk/ag/product.asp?pf_id=AG3933&dept_id=1

http://www.nasamarine.com/AIS/AISENGINE.html

There are some more here too, but no prices.

http://www.katas.co.uk/


Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: CanadaKen on December 20, 2007, 03:41:16 PM
With the AISEngine module I take it you only need the GPS input if you want to plot your own location?

CK
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Allocator on December 20, 2007, 04:45:02 PM
With the AISEngine module I take it you only need the GPS input if you want to plot your own location?

CK


Yes, there is software you can use at sea as a sort of "radar" to help with the visual lookout.  I've just received the NASA AIS engine with some trial software, but I'll have to take a trip to the coast to try it out!
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: CanadaKen on December 20, 2007, 07:15:24 PM
With the Canadian dollar up so high that price of 97 without vat is attractive.
Especially a 2 channel engine like that. And I live in a port city, Vancouver.
I have line of sight to the Straight of Georgia where the vast majority of shipping arrives in this area.

CK
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Development on December 20, 2007, 08:50:15 PM
CanadaKen: that is great news. Do you already have an AIS receiver like NASA AIS Engine?
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: CanadaKen on December 21, 2007, 02:30:07 AM
No, AND, I don't....this would be my first. It was either that or one of the USB
radios with the IF output. If that AISENGINE is 2 channel that's a real bonus.

CK
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Development on December 21, 2007, 04:43:49 AM
We don't know yet if we will sell the software with hardware or not. Anyway you have a good AIS Engine being sold by NASA Marine. ShipTrax will be fully compatible with it.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Allocator on December 21, 2007, 09:02:06 AM
No, AND, I don't....this would be my first. It was either that or one of the USB
radios with the IF output. If that AISENGINE is 2 channel that's a real bonus.

CK


CanadaKen,

I don't know when I'm going to get around to testing the AIS Engine, but I did find this website whilst I was considering the purchase.

http://www.svsarah.com/Sarah/Upgrades/AIS.htm

http://www.svsarah.com/Sarah/Upgrades/Electronics.htm#AIS_Engine

One of the downsides of the NASA device is that it doesn't have any indicator lights on it. This shouldn't be a problem for you if you are near the sea and there are ships around, however, I'll probably do the LED mod shown here:

http://www.digiboat.com.au/NASA_DIY_LED.htm

I use ShipPlotter at present - a free download is available (21 day trial?) and it is written to work with the NASA AIS Engine.  The interface isn't as nice at shown on the ShipTrax screenshots, but if you did get the AIS engine before ShipTrax was released, it would allow you to test reception.

All the best

Allocator
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: CanadaKen on December 21, 2007, 03:32:57 PM
Hi Allocator

After looking at those sites and following some of the links I took a good look at the SR161 reviews and it seems to be a much more sensitive receiver than the NASA AIS Engine. And, surprisingly, cheaper for me to buy!

The SR-162 dual channel is pricey but looks like a VERY well made semi-pro unit.

Oh what to do...what to do? :-)

CK
 
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Acars on January 02, 2008, 12:31:09 AM
Hi.

Very good idea with the Airnav Shiptrax. Hopefully as good as Airnav Radarbox software :-)

But one question. Will there be FTP possibility as in Shipplotter?

Cheers / Lars
www.vhf-online.dk (http://www.vhf-online.dk)
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: mt007 on February 02, 2008, 09:00:53 PM
Hi guys,
in website the shiptrax page dont work.
Can you see what's happen?
Thx.
Best regards.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Development on February 02, 2008, 11:48:26 PM
The website is not yet developed. Anyway you will find it at (in aprox 1 month):
http://www.airnavsystems.com/shiptrax
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: mt007 on February 03, 2008, 12:05:41 AM
OK, thx, guys.
Regards
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: roby_elba on February 04, 2008, 09:18:11 PM
It also works with discriminator output receiver ?
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Allocator on February 04, 2008, 09:50:38 PM
I think that it's only going to work with serial (RS232) input and not audio via a discriminator output.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Development on February 05, 2008, 02:58:13 AM
The ShipTrax hardware will have 2 outputs: serial and USB. Serial as most applications are compatible with it, USB as it is easy to setup and use.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: CanadaKen on February 19, 2008, 10:31:45 PM
Hopefully your new AIS hardware will be as good or better than the SR162.
It sure beat up on the NASA AIS receiver.

http://web.arundale.co.uk/docs/ais/sr162_nasa.html (http://web.arundale.co.uk/docs/ais/sr162_nasa.html)

CK

Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: Allocator on February 20, 2008, 09:09:21 AM
Hopefully your new AIS hardware will be as good or better than the SR162.
It sure beat up on the NASA AIS receiver.

http://web.arundale.co.uk/docs/ais/sr162_nasa.html (http://web.arundale.co.uk/docs/ais/sr162_nasa.html)

CK



I'm not sure that you can compare the NASA AIS Engine and the SR162 - the SR162 cost 4 times as much as the NASA device here in the UK - ouch!

You gets what you pays for :-)
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: CanadaKen on February 20, 2008, 04:21:37 PM
You gets what you pays for :-)

True enough. I hope the same guy compares the new Comar-USB receiver with the SR162.

Ken
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: marcdeklerk on April 21, 2008, 04:17:29 PM
AirNav, could you tell us if Shiptrax will be compatible with all ais receivers?
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Development on April 21, 2008, 05:17:16 PM
Affirm. And you will have the option to buy with our own receiver too.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: marcdeklerk on April 30, 2008, 04:16:56 PM
update please airnav
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: AirNav Development on April 30, 2008, 07:45:52 PM
Project is a little delayed. We signed the contract for the 150 first units that should be delivered by mid August. Software 90% finished and looks amazing. At AirNav we are all aviation "freaks", some of us aviation professionals too but we are getting more interest on the ship spotting/ship industry. :-)
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: BobR on April 30, 2008, 11:22:54 PM
Thanks for the update. I live beside the river Tyne in Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK) and my father is an ex old-salt who loves computers - what better gift!
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: marcdeklerk on May 01, 2008, 06:36:41 PM
thanks, I am also an aviation crazy guy.. fly them aswell.. shipping would be a cool next step for me.. looking forward
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: wheeler on May 01, 2008, 06:59:44 PM
Hi
I would be very interested in shiptrax would it be a sort of setup like RB will we have to buy the setup as a full package..i would like to use it here in the Island of Guernsey as we are not too far from the French coast and we get lots of Cruise Liners here in the Summer please keep us informed
wheeler
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: IVY on May 23, 2012, 12:42:26 AM
I would like to be able to import my own maps and delete your charts if you are going to use the "approximate" map as in RB. It would be very unrealistic for ships to sail over dry land on harbour approaches which I'm sure will happen if the RB type of connected straight line drawing was used. A link to Earth Browser would be a great help.
Title: Re: AirNav ShipTrax - Something Totally New
Post by: tarbat on May 23, 2012, 07:23:48 AM
I would like to be able to import my own maps and delete your charts if you are going to use the "approximate" map as in RB. It would be very unrealistic for ships to sail over dry land on harbour approaches which I'm sure will happen if the RB type of connected straight line drawing was used. A link to Earth Browser would be a great help.

ShipTrax uses OSM maps as standard.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7240595146_3b05a95e72_z_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/7240595146/sizes/o/in/photostream/)

The only AIS targets I've ever seen on land are SAR helicopters, and one case of a boat being transported on a road trailer with it's AIS transmitter left turned on!!!