Pyssel

Updated 2025-06-28 ! Are You searching for a solution where You want to create graphs and gauges from SignalK(SK) data ? Use NodeRed(NR), installed as a SK plugin , with the standard dashboard and it's easy to create info as seen in the picture. And this is without a database as InfluxDB and tools like Grafana. You use the WebSocket interface , or SK subscribe nodes, to subscribe to changes in data from the SK server. 

Updated 2025-06-23 ! I have got some questions installing, just,  Signal K (SK) so will do a summary with links. Signal K is the hub to receive data, from different devices in different data formats, and send it on to different equipment, or databases, in different formats. Most common for standard marine equipment are the old NMEA 0183 and the newer NMEA 2000 protocol which is also handled.  Besides the SK "hub" function developers  have  created  plugins  for different purposes. This is due to that  SK is open-source ! Sharing is caring ! In this post you can check the devices I'm using connected to the SK server and also my setup.

Updated 2024-08-30 !  !! Another SW solution is available for RPi 5 here !  using the same HW. Thanks to Thomas, (the guy with the nice marine interface board ) ,  it's now possible  to decode, one way, the SeaTalk1(ST1) sentences in a pretty simple way. You just  use OpenPlotter(OP) and/or SignalK(SK) and an  Optocoupler . The thing that made it, is that Thomas   has released a "how to" and  Python source code , that will read the data from a GPIO pin on the Raspberry Pi, (RPi), and format it so the standard parser in SignalK can translate it to SignalK delta format. It is then  available as NMEA 0183. It's even possible to send the data in to a NMEA 2000 network, with a proper hardware interface.

Updated 2024-07-08 To get information from the NMEA 2000(N2K) network, to the RPi, I have been using  Actisense NGT-1 , for a long time,  and later also the  Yacht Devices YDWG 02  but now it was time for a Raspberry Pi(RPi) CAN hat(CH) from Waveshare(WS). WS have 3 different models but I picked the 2 channel isolated one . It's recommended to use an isolated one which also is demanded for those interfaces which can be approved by the N2K group.

Updated 2024-06-30 ! OpenPlotter(OP), a Boat Navigation application, is really a nice and simple installation of OpenPlotter (OP) OpenCPN (OC) SignalK (SK)  and other supporting applications for Your boat. An overall information about the OP package is found  here   and you can watch the OP v4 progress  here .

Updated 2024-05-03 ! In Signal K (SK) there are 2 applications, in SK appstore, that can handle charts Freeboard SK (FSK) Tuktuk Chart Plotter (TT) FSK, preinstalled, uses the OpenSeaMap charts(OSC)  when you are online.  If you want to use offline charts or other chart resources you have to install " @signalk/charts-plugin "(CP)

Updated 2024-03-01 ! OpenPlotter(OP), a Boat Navigation application, is really a nice and simple installation of OpenPlotter (OP) OpenCPN (OC) SignalK (SK)  and other supporting applications for Your boat. An overall information about the OP package is found here . Install guide for the new stable OP, version 4, is found here .

Updated 2024-02-08 GRIB is a data format , used for meteorology, to store historical and forecast weather data.  The use case for me was analyzing forecast data, from GRIB files, so an early warning could be rised before a high water level or coming storm appears. This could then be used at our weather site . There are several applications , also ones that visualizes the data, but this post will handle how to extract data from files using command line. Forecast without GRIB files ? Check this API for Europe.

Updated 2024-01-20 !! OK with Bookworm !! This post covers the setup for a AIS, dual channel , receiver for Raspberry Pi(RPi) with systemd autostart. I'm using the RTL-SDR dongle V3 with almost zero temperature drift or the even better  NooElec NESDR Nano 3 AIS posts with charts/maps OpenSeaMap and dispatcher   OpenStreetMap and dispatcher Improve receiving range? Calibrate ! Instructions in this post The best AIS application ?  is found here  !

Updated 2023-12-05 !! OK, with Bookworm (32/64 bit) !! To optimize the reception with SDR:s, Software Defined Radios, it is important to receive on the proper frequency. Due to variations in production there could be deviations. The calibration could be done against standard GSM transmitters which are providing a stable reference frequency. Another way is found in the AIS-catcher application and use the information supplied in the graphs "Frequency Shift". 

Updated 2023-11-06 ! I have searched for a solution transmitting the NMEA data, from the navigation network, via WiFi, to for example  iSailor  or other Tablet/Phone applications. Most of these applications just accepts NMEA0183(N1) but many boats are also using SeaTalk 1(ST1) and NMEA2000(N2K). This post will cover, kept compact, my best findings covering both a DIY and a commercial approach to handle the different protocols.

Updated 2023-10-16 ! This post is the second post explaining the purpose with, and quick/simple install instructions for, OpenPlotter(OP) and some other applications that can be installed with OP.   The first post is found here and in this post we will proceed with the install of OpenCPN(OC). OpenCPN Install In OP:s " Application   Meny => Other =>  Settings" app,   mark "OpenCPN Installer"   and click on "Install", at  the upper right. 

Updated 2023-10-15 ! This post, a dditional posts will follow,  will explain the purpose with, and quick/simple install instructions for, OpenPlotter(OP) and some other applications that can be installed with OP.   OpenCPN (OC), is the plotter software where You navigate and handle charts  SignalK (SK), is the software where all the sensor inputs are handled. Could be NMEA data or SK formated inputs OpenPlotter (OP), is the administration shell where all is administrated As You investigate the different software packages You will see that there are some overlap in the functions. With OC 5.2 + there was  several updates ....

In former posts   I used the temperatur sensor DS18B20, in several applications, but now it was time for the boats exhaust temperature and checking out YDTC-13 from Yacht Devices (YDTC). ( But please note that the YDTC can be used in any temperature application.) When you are boating, using the engine, it's  very important that the cooling water  always is present otherwise major damages can follow.  In "wet exhaust" systems it's easy to get the temperature which I posted here .

Updated 2022-06-10 ! In other posts I  blogged about a way to measure temperature with a Raspberry Pi(RPi), direct connected or via WiFi , together with the marine applikation SignalK(SK). In this post I will follow up with a short brief about the practical solution, measuring exhaust temperature in a boat and sending an alarm if the temperature exceeds a set value . In "wet exhaust" systems it is very important that the cooling water, injected in the exhaust system, always is present otherwise major damages can follow. If you wan't to avoid a RPi check  this post  with approved NMEA 2000 temperature sensors from Yacht Devices 

This post is written for those who runs Signal K(SK), or applications that indirect are using SK, and want to write log files that could be read for later use. Other applications could be Openplotter which includes SK or OpenCPN for example interfacing a NMEA 2000 network via SK. There are sample files within the SK installation which can be used, for testing purposes, before you have created your own log files from your boat trips. Check here at "Input file/data".

Updated 2022-01-11 ! During my  update of the cables going from the batteries, to the distribution panel and engines, I stumbled over the Victron SmartShunt (VSS). We had a 15 year old Mastervolt battery monitor but it didn't feel "true" and it wasn't at the right place in the boat.  So instead of moving the old shunt we bought a VSS. 

Updated 2021-07-14 ! The dispatcher " aisdispatcher "(AISD), Linux v1.2, from AISHub.net receives NMEA 0183 VDM/VDO messages , (NAIS) via an UDP/TCP connection, or serial interface, and forwards it to one or several destinations as UDP streams. It works at command line with no GUI. Please note ! This software is "labeled" deprecated and the AISHub guys recommend you to use this package , with built in GUI, instead. The old version, described in this post,  still works, for RPi OS before Bookworm , and is very lightweight. The best AIS application ?  is found here  !

Updated 2021-06-15 It's always nice to have ALL information at the same place, navigator/plotter, when You are out with the boat.  What could be missing is the engine information/data. If You have a Volvo Penta from 2006 or later it could be pretty easy. There are some "standard" NMEA 2000 gateways to choose from, for example;  Volvo Penta has it's own 22813366, 3889758 Raymarine ECI-100 Maretron J2K100 .....

Updated 2021-03-13 ! Here I'm trying to do the "ultimate" SignalK switch blog post including( no N2K) Shelly 1 as the hardware switch NodeRed as the function engine NodeRed dashboard as input/output interface WilhelmSK as input/output, check picture A http endpoint as state sensing The post is ment to be a template where you can pick the parts which are right for your setup.