Connecting the dAISy HAT

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Specification

  • True two channel receiver, continuously receiving on AIS channels A (161.975 MHz) and B (162.025 MHz)
  • Superior sensitivity compared to other low-cost AIS receivers
  • Low power, less than 200mW in receive mode (<40mA at 5V)
  • 38400 baud serial output in industry standard NMEA format (AIVDM)
  • Communicates with Raspberry Pi via UART0.
  • Works with Raspberry Pi 1 (A+/B+ only), Pi 2, Pi 3, Pi 4, Pi 5 and Pi Zero
  • Shape and size compliant with Raspberry Pi HAT standard
  • Breakout pads for 2 independent TTL serial outputs, 3.3 and 5 volt rails, and Raspberry Pi I2C port
  • SMA antenna connector
  • SMA-to-BNC adapter and hex standoffs included

Note

This product is available in the OpenMarine Shop. Buying at OpenMarine Shop helps us keep the project alive. On the original product page you will find the full specification and a better choice for US buyers.

Configuration

Mount the dAISy HAT in your Raspberry Pi and enable a serial port in the GPIO header of the Raspberry Pi by clicking the UART UART0 icon:

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Acknowledge the warning, and reboot the Raspberry Pi:

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Raspberry Pi model 3 and 4

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Raspberry Pi model 5

After the reboot, launch the Serial Serial app again. On the Devices Devices tab, you should now see a new entry. Select the line with ttyAMA0, give it an alias (for example daisy) and select NMEA 0183 from the data dropdown, then press Apply Apply:

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Now we need to connect the ttyOP_daisy device to the Signal K server, the central data processing hub of OpenPlotter. Switch to the Connections Connections tab, select the ttyOP_daisy device and click Add to Signal K Add to Signal K:

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From the Baud Rate dropdown menu select 38400, then press AUTO:

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You are done, the Signal K server and any program connected to it, such as OpenCPN, should now receive AIS data. Check OpenCPN to make sure there is a connection to the Signal K server and it is getting data from your DAISy HAT:

opencpnAIS