AIS Share – RTL AIS Driver

Android Marine AIS System

AIS Share + RTL AIS Driver

Turn a modern Android phone or tablet into a live dual-channel AIS receiver with elegant onboard sharing to charting apps over Wi-Fi.
Plug in an RTL-SDR dongle, press Play in AIS Share, and forward vessel targets to OpenCPN, Navionics Boating, Boat Beacon, and other NMEA 0183 compatible apps.

No cloud. No monthly fee. No dedicated marine black box required.

Dual-channel AIS
UDP + TCP sharing
GPS forwarding
Modern 2026 UI

Reception

Live AIS on both channels

Receives AIS traffic at 161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz with an RTL-SDR dongle and forwards it live across your onboard network.

Control

Premium Android front end

AIS Share gives you status badges, live output activity, Wi-Fi IP visibility, inline edits, charts, counters, and dark mode in one polished interface.

Sharing

Ready for chart apps

Share AIS over up to 3 UDP outputs plus 1 TCP server, and optionally forward your own GPS position over UDP.

Why there are two apps

This system is intentionally split into two parts so each app can do one job well.

Free companion app

RTL AIS Driver

Handles the USB radio hardware, SDR tuning, and AIS decoding. AIS Share can start it automatically, so in normal use it mostly stays in the background.

Premium app layer

AIS Share

Shows live system status, message activity, chart-friendly outputs, and practical controls for onboard daily use.

Both apps must be installed. In daily use, AIS Share is the app you work with.

2026 hardware essentials

Affiliate note: As an Amazon Associate and AliExpress Affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

1. Device

Android phone or tablet

Use a recent Android device with USB-C OTG. Tablets work especially well if you want AIS Share visible next to your chart app.

2. Connection

USB-C OTG or powered hub

A good USB-C OTG adapter is essential. For longer onboard sessions, a powered USB-C hub keeps the dongle stable and reduces battery drain.

Amazon DE – USB-C OTG
AliExpress – USB-C OTG
AliExpress – USB-C Hub

3. Radio

RTL-SDR + proper antenna

Choose a stable 0.5 ppm / RTL-SDR Blog class receiver if possible. Pair it with a proper AIS or VHF antenna for real range.

Amazon DE – RTL-SDR Blog V3
Amazon DE – RTL-SDR Blog V4
Amazon DE – RTL-SDR Blog V3 Bundle
Amazon DE – RTL-SDR Blog V4 Bundle
AliExpress – 0.5 ppm RTL-SDR
AliExpress – 0.5 ppm Bundle
AliExpress – AIS Marine Antenna

Practical advice: In 2026, skip the bargain-bin route unless you enjoy calibration work. A stable dongle, decent antenna, and powered USB-C setup make the biggest difference.

Quick start

  1. Install RTL AIS Driver from Google Play.
  2. Install AIS Share from Google Play.
  3. Connect the RTL-SDR dongle with your USB-C OTG adapter or powered hub.
  4. Open AIS Share and press the Play button.
  5. Allow the USB permission request for RTL AIS Driver.
  6. Wait for live message counts and status badges to turn active.
  7. Point your charting app to the AIS Share UDP or TCP output.

You do not need to manually launch the driver app every time. AIS Share handles the normal start and stop flow for you.

Why AIS Share now feels like a premium marine app

Status at a glance

The top status row shows whether the driver, background processing, UDP sharing, TCP sharing, and GPS sharing are actually running. The most important badge is DRV, because it confirms the dongle and radio path are alive.

Wi-Fi IP always visible

AIS Share shows the device’s current Wi-Fi IP right on the main screen, which makes Navionics, OpenCPN, and other network client setup much faster onboard.

Inline output editing

Tap an output row and change host, port, or active state directly from the main screen. No more digging through settings just to fix one port number.

Live activity feedback

Active rows show a pulse indicator and recent send activity, so you can see whether data is flowing now, not just whether a checkbox is enabled.

Badge Meaning
DRV RTL AIS Driver is connected and decoding
BG AIS Share background service is active
UDP UDP output service is forwarding AIS data
TCP TCP server is running and ready for a client
GPS GPS sharing is active

Add the integrated AIS message counters and the Channel A / Channel B activity chart, and you get a much more reassuring view of system health than most generic DIY setups provide.

Sharing AIS data to charting apps

AIS Share can forward live AIS NMEA data to up to 3 UDP outputs and 1 TCP client at the same time. Default ports are:

Output Default port Protocol
UDP Output 1 10111 UDP
UDP Output 2 10112 UDP
UDP Output 3 10113 UDP
TCP Server 10114 TCP
GPS Share 10140 UDP

Use UDP

Best for simple distribution to one or more chart clients, especially OpenCPN-style setups and multi-device boat networks.

Use TCP

Best when a chart app prefers a single direct server connection, which is often the cleanest starting point for Navionics Boating.

If you have a boat Wi-Fi router, you can also broadcast to the whole onboard network. Set the destination IP to 255.255.255.255 for UDP outputs and compatible apps on the same network can listen on the selected port.

Compatible navigation apps and the settings that matter

AIS Share works best with charting apps that accept NMEA 0183 over UDP or TCP. Below are the most useful real-world setups for 2026.

App Best starting point Why
Navionics Boating TCP to AIS Share Wi-Fi IP Good fit for a single direct feed from AIS Share into the app
OpenCPN UDP input Flexible network connections and easy multi-device use
Boat Beacon UDP external AIS feed Simple dedicated AIS target display workflow
Other NMEA apps Match UDP or TCP port If the app accepts NMEA 0183 input, it will usually work

Navionics Boating (Garmin) – best tips first

Navionics Boating is one of the most requested pairings, and it is usually the one where one or two small details decide whether the setup feels effortless or frustrating.

  1. In AIS Share, enable the TCP server.
  2. Use the Wi-Fi IP shown on the AIS Share main screen.
  3. In Navionics, open the external device or paired device connection screen and create a Wi-Fi NMEA / TCP connection.
  4. Enter the AIS Share Wi-Fi IP and the same TCP port.
  5. Return to the chart and confirm that AIS targets are enabled in the app view.

Important Navionics hints

  • Navionics expects a Wi-Fi network feed. It is not the app to choose if you want a direct USB or Bluetooth NMEA workflow.
  • Use the AIS Share Wi-Fi IP, not guesswork. The app shows it on the home screen for exactly this reason.
  • If your Android device disconnects from the boat Wi-Fi or hotspot, Navionics loses the feed as well.
  • After connecting, make sure AIS targets are actually visible in the chart view and that your map coverage is active for the area you are testing.
  • For dry runs, use AIS Share simulation mode and place the custom test target inside your subscribed chart region.

In short: for Navionics, start with TCP, the AIS Share Wi-Fi IP, and a stable boat Wi-Fi connection.

OpenCPN – the most flexible pairing

OpenCPN is the easiest power-user pairing because it gives you explicit control over network inputs. A typical setup is:

  • Options > Connections > Add Connection
  • Type: Network
  • Protocol: UDP
  • Direction: Input
  • Address: 0.0.0.0 or your chosen receive address
  • DataPort: the same UDP port configured in AIS Share

OpenCPN also works well over TCP if you prefer a direct client connection to the AIS Share TCP server, but for multi-device boat networks, UDP is usually the smoother starting point.

Boat Beacon – clean external AIS feed setup

Boat Beacon is a good lightweight target-viewing option. The idea is simple: AIS Share sends UDP, Boat Beacon listens on the same port.

  • Enable one UDP output in AIS Share.
  • Point it at the Boat Beacon device IP, or use your network broadcast strategy if appropriate.
  • In Boat Beacon, enable the external AIS feed and use the same port number.

Other compatible apps

Many other chart and instrument apps can be used if they accept NMEA 0183 over UDP or TCP. Typical examples include:

  • Aqua Map / AquaMaps
  • qtVlm
  • SeaNav Pro
  • PC-based charting software listening on the same boat Wi-Fi network

The rule is always the same: protocol, IP, and port must match on both sides. AIS Share makes that easier by showing the Wi-Fi IP on the main screen and keeping port setup straightforward.

GPS sharing for your own vessel position

AIS Share can forward your Android device GPS as standard NMEA 0183 sentences over UDP. This is useful when your chart app needs a position feed in addition to AIS targets, or when you want one Android device to supply GPS to another display device on the same network.

Configure a separate UDP host and port for GPS sharing. The default GPS port is 10140. Use a different port from your AIS feed so the chart app can keep the two streams cleanly separated if needed.

Simulation mode – test before you leave the dock

AIS Share includes a simulation mode that generates AIS traffic without real radio hardware. It is perfect for verifying network settings, testing chart app compatibility, or checking a fresh Navionics or OpenCPN setup at home.

  • Test UDP and TCP output paths without waiting for live vessels.
  • Check whether a chart app displays targets before your next trip.
  • Use the custom simulated position to place targets where your chart subscription can actually display them.

AIS message coverage

AIS Share handles the standard AIS message families you actually expect in day-to-day use, including:

Message type(s) Description
1, 2, 3 Class A position reports
4, 11 Base station and UTC/time reports
5, 24 Static vessel data and voyage details
6, 8, 12, 14 Binary and safety messages
9 SAR aircraft position report
18, 19 Class B position reports
21 Aid-to-navigation reports
Others up to 24 Management, interrogation, acknowledge, and channel control messages

The integrated message counters inside AIS Share make it easy to confirm that real traffic is being received and decoded.

Battery and onboard-use tips

  • Use the Whitelist action in AIS Share so Android does not aggressively stop background operation.
  • Enable Keep Wi-Fi radio on when you depend on a continuous onboard network feed.
  • For long sessions, use a powered USB-C hub or a permanently powered tablet installation.
  • If your device brand is known for killing background apps, check dontkillmyapp.com.

RTL AIS Driver settings – what most users actually need

RTL AIS Driver offers advanced SDR controls such as PPM correction, gain, AGC, bandwidth, and DC filtering. That is useful, but for most users the important point is simple:

  • With a good TCXO-style dongle, you can often leave PPM correction at or near zero.
  • Auto or conservative gain is a sensible starting point.
  • The built-in waterfall helps when you want to verify signal presence or fine-tune reception.
  • The driver also includes a demo/test mode, which is useful for confirming the hardware path before full use.

Pricing and download

Free companion app

RTL AIS Driver

Free

Required companion app for the RTL-SDR hardware layer and AIS decoding.


Get RTL AIS Driver on Google Play

Premium app

AIS Share

Paid – a few euros

One-time purchase. No subscription. It is the polished app layer that turns the DIY radio side into a practical onboard workflow.


Get AIS Share on Google Play

If you want a compact Android-based AIS setup without moving straight to expensive dedicated marine hardware, this is exactly the niche AIS Share and RTL AIS Driver are built for.

Safety disclaimer

Do not rely on AIS Share or RTL AIS Driver for safety of life or property. These apps are for informational and hobby use. Reception quality, vessel coverage, message completeness, and network forwarding cannot be guaranteed. Always comply with local regulations for radio reception and always use approved marine navigation equipment where required.

AIS Share v2.1.1 | RTL AIS Driver v1.3.14 | Updated 2026 | Christian Ebner / ebcTech.eu

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Categorized as AIS

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