ShipPlotter

ShipPlotter displays complete information about ships that are within VHF range of your position using the Universal Automatic Identification System (AIS). ShipPlotter Features ShipPlotter decodes the AIS digital signals from each ship using the sound card in your PC. You need a suitable VHF band Radio Receiver tuned to one of the two AIS channels. The program decodes the received digital data and displays it in a variety of formats.Signal mode - In Signal Mode, ShipPlotter displays the raw digital signals on your PC screen in a diagnostic display which helps you to set up the system. Message mode - In Message Mode, ShipPlotter displays each decoded message in plain language on your PC screen.Ship mode - In Ship Mode, ShipPlotter displays each decoded message in plain language on your PC screen. There is one line in the display for each ship. Depending on which message formats have been received from the ship, the information may contain the MSSI number of the ship, its name, its destination and the expected date and time of arrival, its length, beam and draught, and the latest position report received from the ship. Chart mode - In Chart Mode, ShipPlotter displays the position and identification of each ship on a chart of the area. ShipPlotter comes with a general purpose world map but you can add your own maps to ShipPlotter simply by digitizing a chart to Create a BMP or JPG graphic file and calibrating the chart using tools built in to ShipPlotter. ShipPlotter can also read BSB format Marine charts provided that your system performance, memory, etc. can handle the size of the chart. Ship Details - In chart mode, if you right click on one of the ships displayed in the chart, a pop up window (right) displays all the data received about the ship you have selected. If you are connected to the internet, there is a Search button that will access the ITU ship callsign database to discover even more details about the ship including its port of registry.