Shipplotter Program & GRE 500 Discr. Output ?

[BOBRR]

Hello,

For anyone who might have, or be familiar with, the new GRE 500.

Would like to use the "Shipplotter" program for AIS, but it requires a "discriminator" tap output from the scanner.

The GRE 500 (and possibly the other few brand new ones also from GRE) has a so called discriminator output. I have some doubts, though, if this is really what Shipplotter requires.

Any ideas if this is what Shipplotter requires ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[DaveIN]

Ship plotter requires a discriminator output with low phase and amplitude distortion. The PSR-500 does not have a direct output from the discriminator, it uses a simple character language set output to the PC/IF port.

 

[eorange]

I tried Shipplotter with a radio that had a TRUE discriminator output, and I could never decode any signals. I'm only 10 miles from the shores of Lake Erie, but the VHF signals are relatively low power and I think you need to be pretty close to the shore and/or line of sight to receive these signals.

 

[dic]

Off topic but slightly on topic.

I am a commercial pilot who often uses Flight Tracker and other programs like it.

I know nothing about marine/ship tracking, but the name Shipplotter made me think:

Are there any programs that track shipping on the high seas?
Via GPS etc?

Thanks
Dic

 

[OceanaRadio]

Off topic but slightly on topic.

I am a commercial pilot who often uses Flight Tracker and other programs like it.

I know nothing about marine/ship tracking, but the name Shipplotter made me think:

Are there any programs that track shipping on the high seas?
Via GPS etc?

Thanks
Dic

Long Range Information Tracking (LRIT) has been mandated by the International Maritime Organization and is progressing in its implementation. All information passed to and from vessels on the high seas will be via secure satellite connections and unlike AIS mentioned in the threads above, no passive LRIT monitoring will be possible without specific authorization from the states port control organizations. LRIT will allow information to be shared for security and search and rescue purposes only, for up to 1,000 miles off shore. AIS will remain in its present configuration for coverage of Sea Areas A-1 (0-20nm) and as much of A2 (20-100nm) as VHF conditions allow. Weather buoys far off shore have already been fitted with AIS (VHF) receivers that uplink to shore stations via SAT.

Private companies have long used GPS tracking information via satellite communication systems to track their chartered or owned assets. It has never been available to the public because it is proprietary information, but freight-forwarders and customers could always have access depending on an individual shipper's permission.

Jack

edited: see http://194.196.162.45/Safety/mainframe.asp?topic_id=905