COMAR SLR-200N - AIS Ship Tracking Receiver Review

[MtnBiker2005]

COMAR SLR-200N - AIS Receiver Review.

Just got the Comar SLR-200N AIS Receiver hooked up this past Summer,2010.
It's been working very good. Best thing it doesn't need is a secondary computer to upload data to a AIS website like MarineTraffic.com. It uses the built in LANTRONIX XPort server. I haven't really need to touch the unit any time, It keeps on working 100%.
Providing AIS ship data in the Southern California area on MarineTraffic.com

It's been fun monitoring marine communications on the scanner radio and watching the ships at the same time.

Also have the option of using the Ship Plotter software connecting to the Comar SLR 200N unit from a remote location place.

You can learn more about the Comar SLR 200N receiver on this page.
http://www.milltechmarine.com/Comar-SLR-200N-Network-AlS-Receiver_p_190.html
http://comarsystems.com/slr_200n_and_200ng.html

Wondering if we have any other Comar SLR 200N users on RadioReference.com ?
Just need more AIS receiving equipment in the ALASKA or South Carolina/North Carolina area

Here some photos of the COMAR SLR 200N product.

The solution for use on a LAN
The SLR 200N is a dual channel IP addressable Ethernet AIS Receiver, designed specifically for the larger vessel or for shore side monitoring. It enables boats sailing in busy shipping lanes or shore side monitoring stations to receive AIS ( Automatic Identification System ) information being transmitted from Class A transponders, as fitted to vessels over 300 tons, and non-mandatory Class B transponders.

_____________________
AIS Links:
http://comarsystems.com/ - ComarSystems Receivers.
http://www.milltechmarine.com/ - AIS Receiver Products.
http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_marine.html - DPD Productions AIS Antenna.
http://forum.shipais.com/ - AIS Forum
http://www.coaa.co.uk/shipplotter.htm - Ship Plotter Software.
http://marinetraffic.com/ais/ - Live AIS Tracking on Google Map.
http://shiptrackingais.blogspot.com/ - Tracking Cruise Ships.

Learn more about AIS on the Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Identification_System

 

[geoff5093]

Very cool! Does that upload it to sites such as aprs.is as well? I believe Ship Plotter does. I didn't click on any other link, but how much does that receiver cost? Also, there really isn't any need to blank out the address in the URL, that's local only.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

The aprs site like http://aprs.fi/ uses data from MarineTraffic.com

You would have to pick out the best receiver for your setup.
So many different receivers to choose from! Network, USB, Serial type connections.
This site list the most popular receivers being used. Prices is listed on this page.
http://www.milltechmarine.com/AIS-Receivers_c_13.html

You can also look at the MarineTraffic.com Station list of what is being used in your area.
Click on each station link. Most uploaders will list their equipment details.
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/datasheet.aspx?datasource=STATIONS

P.S I edited the photos because each different local setup would use different local IPs for the connection to the AIS unit.

 

[RedRooster]

I am thinking about getting this unit. Thanks for uploading the picture of the rear deck. It is the only one that I have been able to find. It looks like there is a blank plug next to the VHF BNC antenna connector. 1. Do you know what that is for?
2. Do you know if this model has the capability for a GPS antenna connection?
3. I assume you have this unit connected directly to a router. Is this correct?
4. Have you ever used this unit in a mobile environment with a direct connection to a PC?

Just trying to be sure it meets my needs before I make the investment.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Yeah I couldn't find a rear picture of the unit myself either doing my AIS product research
One of the reason why I posted the rear photos of it.
1.) I don't know about that spot... Might be used on another AIS unit like SLR200NG.
2.) I don't think you can connect GPS to the SLR200 unit.
3.) Yes connected to the router.
4.) Only used it at home so far, uploading to MarineTraffic.com
(Haven't had time to try to connect it with ShipPlotter software yet...)

Read this page.. It talks about connecting the SLR200N receiver.
http://www.nautic-support.nl/page_aanbod_comar_slr200n.aspx

The SLR200NG unit has GPS built in. Read more on this link.
http://comarsystems.com/slr_200_and_200g.html

There is another AIS unit coming out from Digital Yacht with a USB port on it next to the Ethernet jack... Plus it comes with some software. Not sure if it's been fully released to the public yet.

Digital Yacht - AISnet base station AIS receiver
http://www.digitalyacht.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=11659

See this RR topic for more info about Digital Yacht AISnet Receiver.
RR Forum: http://forums.radioreference.com/ma...alyacht-aisnet-base-station-ais-receiver.html

 

[ignaciomauricio]

Hello MtnBiker2005

I have one of these Comar AIS.
But I have problems using multisession. For example, if two different PC try to do a telnet to the IP of AIS I can not do this simultaneously.

Thanks

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Sorry
Can't really help you. I haven't used the telnet feature yet...
I only use the upload feature to sites like MarineTraffic.com

Might try looking around on the http://www.lantronix.com/ website.

 

[dalbarran]

Antennae and other gear

I am planning on getting the SLR-200N to monitor ships in my area, what type of antennae did you get? Also what additional gear is required? Do I just need the SLR-200N and an antennae?

Thank you

Dan

 

[gleff]

Hi All,

I know this thread is a little old but I'm thinking of getting this receiver Comar SLR-200N and was wondering if someone can shed some light on the power cord/plug. The only photo I can find doesn't actually show a power cord.. just the socket and i'm not sure if requires a special power cord or not.. it looks different to normal.

Essentially, I live in Sydney Australia and will be wanting to plug this receiver into the AC mains power in my apartment.

Can anyone advise what the power cable looks like, or special requirements I'll need to do this in Australia?

Thanks
Geoff

 

[kjfswkr]

Hi All,

ICan anyone advise what the power cable looks like, or special requirements I'll need to do this in Australia?

Thanks
Geoff

check this website out, may be able to do the same thing you want


AirNav ShipTrax - AIS Receiver and Ship Tracking Software

kevin

 

[gleff]

check this website out, may be able to do the same thing you want


AirNav ShipTrax - AIS Receiver and Ship Tracking Software

kevin

Hi Kevin,

I've sorted the issue out.. I went ahead and bought the Comar and then soldered a connector onto a power adaptor... all is good now.

Cheers
Geoff