Mildly Interesting

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This is for strictly mildly interesting material. If it's too interesting, it doesn't belong. If it's not interesting, it doesn't belong.

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You can literally just see where any ship in the world is (infosec.pub)

submitted 2 days ago by StarvingMartist@sh.itjust.works to c/mildlyinteresting@lemmy.world

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I'm sure this is not a new thing, but I just found out about it, and I think it's pretty neat!

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[–] Glitterbomb@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Well that's a bit of confusion cleared up, thanks! I did actually notice I'd get some information and then a little later the name would show up too. I figured it was just bad reception missing the full message, but you're saying they're sent separately? I guess I'll stop fiddling with my antenna

The fact they just put their contact info for destination is hilarious to me. I should get a radio license.

[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Yeah, your antenna is fine. AIS contains more information than can be fit into a single packet, so it's spread out over several. Every packet contains the MMSI of the ship, which you can use to link every packet together. If I remember correctly, there are three or so packet types. Position and speed is sent relatively often. And static info such as name and other info that doesn't change a whole lot is sent much more infrequently.

Maritime radio license is easy to get. An ROC which covers the basics is a day or two. It's basically just a course on how to properly operate a VHF. GOC covers a lot more (telex, inmarsat, EPIRBs, etc) and basically certifies you as a radio operator for any ship. It takes about a week.