ShipTrax

[larry.putman]

What is the purpose of the "Ground Station" ?

I have one 38.6 miles away that shows up on the map.
Since I can not see the messages I can't tell what if anything the station is transmitting.

Thanks

Larry

[tarbat]

Ground Stations transmit a TYPE 4 message type every 10 seconds.  A bit like a digital lighthouse.  They also transmit data link messages regularly, and serve many other purposes within the AIS system.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Identification_System for a bit more information.

"Shore based AIS transceiver (transmit and receive) which operates using SOTDMA. Base stations have a complex set of features and functions which in the AIS standard are able to control the AIS system and all devices operating therein. Ability to interrogate individual transponders for status reports and or transmit frequency changes."

My STRAXMON utility lets you see what message types you are receiving.  See http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=6160

[larry.putman]

Hi Tarbat,

Thanks for the info!
The link to the STRAXMON utility says it is off limits to me :(
I am very interested in it though so how do I get it?

Thanks

Larry

[Lou]

Hi Larry,you can download a small programme free from Aishub.net it is lightweight and runs straight from the desktop, it lists all twenty four types of messages, be aware that you cannot run this programme while your AIS reciever is running.Regards Lou

[Lou]

Sorry should have said while your AIS software is running.Lou

[tarbat]

The link to the STRAXMON utility says it is off limits to me :(

Sorry, it was posted in the beta testing forum.  Attached is the STRAXMON program.  It's designed to read the port 40004 output from the ShipTrax software, so it works alongside ShipTrax at the same time.

I've been using this program that I developed to see what AIS message types ShipTrax is processing and count the number of messages.  I guess others might find it useful.



A. Download and unzip to anywhere.
B. Run ShipTrax
C. Run straxmon.exe.

D. Read the instructions, which are:
    1. In ShipTrax ensure "Share received data on port 40004" is ticked.
    2. Adjust the poll interval to a level appropriate to the message rate at your location.
    3. Press the START button.
    4. To reset the counters back to zero, press the RESET COUNTERS button.
    5. To exit, simply close the window.

Some warnings:
1. FIXED It doesn't handle multipart messages correctly, although it handles the first part correctly.
2. There is NO error handling.