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…..........................--- Raspberry Pi Computer with AIS --

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Since we like redundancy in addition to the chartplotter at the helm we run a very low amperage Raspberry Pi computer inside the boat at the nav station. You can set get one of these with memory and some other essentials for around $70. We also added a $100 monitor and $20 keyboard/mouse combination. It is easy to find links to this setup on the internet.

To setup the computer/monitor as a chartplotter you download the free Open CPN chartplotter program and free NOAA charts for U.S. Waters and we also added NV charts for the Bahamas that work with Open CPN. I used the NV charts and OpenCPN on a different computer on my Bahama trip with the MacGregor.

AIS was also installed using a dAISY HAT – AIS Receiver for the Raspberry Pi computer. The AIS board fits inside the Pi and costs about $70. I also added another VHF antenna that was mounted off the back of the solar panel array. It isn't near as high as the masthead antenna that powers the VHF/AIS radio but sill seems to pick up AIS targets about as far as the radio/helm chartplotter combination. Way further than really necessary.

Above you get an idea of how small the Raspberry Pi computer is, about the same size as a mouse.

Underway OpenCPN runs on the 10 inch monitor connected to the Pi. We also have it loaded onto my laptop and Dottie's laptop if needed and carry paper charts for everywhere we go.

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