Connecting dAISy AIS to a qtVlm Android App

The dAISy mini AIS will connect to essentially any navigation program running in a computer, Mac or PC, and the connections are essentially plug and play. Options to run it on a mobile device are more limited. One app that will run dAISy is the Android version of qtVlm. (It is rare to see such niche hardware running on an iOS device because the Apple license expenses are so excessive.)

Pictures below outline the connections. All parts are readily available.

• Many Android phones have a power connector that is USB type C. That is where we connect the device. We can do this two ways, a quick connect for several hours run on a fully charged android device, or with a special adapter, we can add power for unlimited run time.

• For a short term connection we need only a USB-A female to USB-C male connector (sample) or cable (sample). In this mode the dAISy is powered by the Android device battery. Sample power consumption curve is below. There is a roughly 10% drop in battery life for each hour of running, which is essentially all due to the location services—the dAISy has no notable effect on this. Or you can use the OTG connector described below and just not bother adding power.

• For longer term runs, use what is called an "on the go" or OTG adapter. (One example, there are many.) They have a USB-C male out cable to connect to the Android phone or tablet, plus a USB-C female input where you plug the regular device power into, as well as a standard USB-A female connector to accept the dAISy cable that comes with the device.

• So to make this work you need just two things that do not come with the dAISy or the Android device, an antenna and an OTG connector. See Notes on dAISy antennas.

 

Short-term connection using
Android device power

Longer-term connection with external power

 

• Once connected, check these settings in qtVlm

When first connected, qtVlm will recognize dAISy In menu Config/NMEA Setup turn dAISy on in menu Config/AIS
turn AIS via internet off