Hi all,

Wondering on a simple setup using the raspberry pi 4. I'm completely new to this but get the basic fundamentals of how it's setup, apart that is, from the ais end of things. Do I need a daisy ( standard antenna kit) to fit directly to the rpi 4 or can I just get away with fitting a daisy hat to my rpi 4 ?

The hat just sits on top of the rpi 4 but does it need the daisy standard kit to operate? It says it's a receiver but I'm guessing it would need a vhf antenna or something to connect to? The pic says it needs an adaptor as such but in contrast they look completely opposite units but do the same job?

Interested to hear from anyone who used or uses the hat. Red chip board pic is the stand alone hat.

Wondering what your setups are, I'll be running open cpn onto a 22inch screen. Cheers guys

I use a Raspberry Pi 3 with a dAISy HAT and a VHF Vesper splitter to share a single antenna between the radio and the dAISy HAT. GPS comes via a GlobalSat USB GPS receiver and the Pi runs OpenCPN with oeSENC charts. The Pi + HAT + GPS uses about 260 to 300 mA at 12 VDC.

If you already have the dAISy receiver, it might be possible to plug that into a USB port on the Pi. The dAISy receiver manual says that no drivers are required and gives a link to instructions (mvcesc.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/opencpnon-the-raspberry-pi-2-with-ais/). I haven't had a detailed look at these but it is quite likely you can simply plug the dAISy receiver and your GPS/GLONASS dongle into the USB ports of the Pi, power everything up and have it work. Reception may not be great through the dAISy receiver's own antenna because it will be close to the Pi and hence close to the water. You want to get the antenna as high as possible to get the AIS range as long as possible.

If you don't already have the dAISy receiver, I'd go with the dAISy HAT because it's a cleaner solution.

Good luck,
Kinora

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Kinora said..
I use a Raspberry Pi 3 with a dAISy HAT and a VHF Vesper splitter to share a single antenna between the radio and the dAISy HAT. GPS comes via a GlobalSat USB GPS receiver and the Pi runs OpenCPN with oeSENC charts. The Pi + HAT + GPS uses about 260 to 300 mA at 12 VDC.

If you already have the dAISy receiver, it might be possible to plug that into a USB port on the Pi. The dAISy receiver manual says that no drivers are required and gives a link to instructions (mvcesc.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/opencpnon-the-raspberry-pi-2-with-ais/). I haven't had a detailed look at these but it is quite likely you can simply plug the dAISy receiver and your GPS/GLONASS dongle into the USB ports of the Pi, power everything up and have it work. Reception may not be great through the dAISy receiver's own antenna because it will be close to the Pi and hence close to the water. You want to get the antenna as high as possible to get the AIS range as long as possible.

If you don't already have the dAISy receiver, I'd go with the dAISy HAT because it's a cleaner solution.

Good luck,
Kinora

Thanks kinora

I've only got the pi 4 arriving so have options open ATM. I like the hat for a cleaner look and a great idea to run a splitter with a single antenna.

With your GlobalSat USB GPS do you have that setup inside the boat or externally?

Inside at the moment. Fibreglass is likely to be fairly transparent at GHz frequencies.

Longer term I would opt for an external antenna in the expectation of a more reliable signal but there are a few more urgent things on the to do list before we get there.

K.

Have a look here: forum.openmarine.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=1
Do a search on AIS or just ask the question.

I am running a Pi4 to two monitors (a big one at Nav Stn & a 7" at helm - I sometimes also run the Nav Stn monitor to my tablet at the helm via VCN) with OpenCPN + all different apps & doodads etc - it runs 24/7 & monitors the boat such as fridge temp. cabin temp, batteries, bilge water level etc, etc. it also sends me a few pics each day or when there is any movement. Great bit of gear!!

I have the dAISy receiver, works great, but it is connected to my MFD - I don't need one on the Pi as well. This is connected to a separate VHS aerial on my bimini. The higher you have the aerial the more you will see.

I have two, different GPS units, both extended into the cockpit, under the dodger, for good reception.

You'll love the Pi4 - you can do so much with it!!

Some examples:

One day they will be smart enough to take the boat out for us!

Oh, wait ...

K.

Select to expand quote

Lazzz said..
Have a look here: forum.openmarine.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=1
Do a search on AIS or just ask the question.

I am running a Pi4 to two monitors (a big one at Nav Stn & a 7" at helm - I sometimes also run the Nav Stn monitor to my tablet at the helm via VCN) with OpenCPN + all different apps & doodads etc - it runs 24/7 & monitors the boat such as fridge temp. cabin temp, batteries, bilge water level etc, etc. it also sends me a few pics each day or when there is any movement. Great bit of gear!!

I have the dAISy receiver, works great, but it is connected to my MFD - I don't need one on the Pi as well. This is connected to a separate VHS aerial on my bimini. The higher you have the aerial the more you will see.

I have two, different GPS units, both extended into the cockpit, under the dodger, for good reception.

You'll love the Pi4 - you can do so much with it!!

Some examples:

Hey Lazz
Skipping to the important stuff, is 6.56 deg your beer temp?

Select to expand quote

Craig66 said..

Lazzz said..
Have a look here: forum.openmarine.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=1
Do a search on AIS or just ask the question.

I am running a Pi4 to two monitors (a big one at Nav Stn & a 7" at helm - I sometimes also run the Nav Stn monitor to my tablet at the helm via VCN) with OpenCPN + all different apps & doodads etc - it runs 24/7 & monitors the boat such as fridge temp. cabin temp, batteries, bilge water level etc, etc. it also sends me a few pics each day or when there is any movement. Great bit of gear!!

I have the dAISy receiver, works great, but it is connected to my MFD - I don't need one on the Pi as well. This is connected to a separate VHS aerial on my bimini. The higher you have the aerial the more you will see.

I have two, different GPS units, both extended into the cockpit, under the dodger, for good reception.

You'll love the Pi4 - you can do so much with it!!

Hey Lazz
Skipping to the important stuff, is 6.56 deg your beer temp?

Way too cold for beer or any beverage, cold kills all the flavours ... which is fine if you don't like beer.

This is a thread I started last year regarding the Pi.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/New-toy