This guide is designed to help you independently inspect your station and, if possible, get it back up and running. While the hardware of individual stations may vary depending on the model and manufacturer, they generally follow similar operating principles. Therefore, we provide general instructions to help you check the hardware. Any specific features or deviations relevant to certain devices will be highlighted where possible. For further details and device-specific instructions, please refer to the corresponding articles for each device.

Follow the instructions carefully, step by step, to systematically rule out potential issues. If you need additional assistance, please contact support and provide details on what you have already tried and where the issue persists.

However, you don't need to follow the entire guide if you already have an idea of where the issue might be. Start by taking a quick look to see if anything obvious stands out. For example, if the receiver is off and no LED is lit, you can skip the antenna section and jump directly to the Receiver section. This flexible approach allows you to focus on the most likely cause of the problem, saving time and effort.

The primary and simplest troubleshooting step is to restart the AIS receiver, which typically resolves most issues on its own. To perform this, disconnect the power supply for approximately 10 seconds, allowing the device to fully discharge. Reconnect the power supply to initiate the device's startup. Should the issue persist, proceed to follow the additional steps outlined in these instructions.

If you have restarted the receiver, check the device's LEDs light up at all. If they do not light up or only faintly glow, there may be an issue with the power supply.

Ensure the plug is securely connected to the device, and try plugging it into a different power outlet. If that doesn’t help, see if you have another power adapter available to test whether the issue lies with the device or the power adapter.

Make sure to check what type of plug the device requires, as well as the voltage (V) and current (A) specifications. The voltage should always be within the specified range and must not exceed it, as supplying a higher voltage can quickly damage the device and must be avoided.

The current should meet or exceed the specified value. If the power is listed in watts, you can calculate it: for example, 5 V at 2 A equals 10 W. For more details, refer to the table with the device's technical specifications.

If you have a compatible power adapter that you are certain is working, connect it and check whether the device functions properly. Regardless of the outcome, you can contact support to discuss the best way to arrange a replacement.

Check the receiver to see if the LEDs indicating AIS data reception are blinking. There may be one LED or two, often labeled "A/B" or something similar (Data, Status, Channel, RX, CHA/CHB). If these LEDs are blinking (whether rapidly or slowly), then signals from ships are being received. If the LEDs are off, no signals are being received, which means nothing can be transmitted to the MarineTraffic server.

First, consider whether there are any ships nearby that your station should be able to detect. If you are more than 10 kilometers from the coast or the nearest body of water, or if you are blocked from the water by a mountain or other obstacle, your station may not be able to receive any signals.

If you are certain that ships should be within range, but your station has stopped receiving vessels or is only detecting a few, the issue is often with the antenna or the cable. So check these parts first.

To ensure the antenna is functioning correctly, start by checking its overall condition.

Verify that the antenna is still securely installed and has not become loose. Examine it for any visible damage, such as cracks or breaks, that could affect its performance.

Next, inspect the antenna and its connection point for signs of moisture intrusion. Water can enter these parts and cause corrosion, which may significantly reduce the quality of reception.

As part of the inspection, unscrew the cable from the antenna and carefully check the contacts. Look for any deposits or signs of corrosion. If necessary, clean the contacts gently with a wire brush to remove any buildup. Once cleaned, reattach the cable securely, ensuring it is properly tightened. To protect the connection from water intrusion, wrap the connection point with self-fusing tape.

If the antenna appears to be in good condition, proceed to check the cable for any potential issues.

Begin by examining the cable itself. Look for signs of wear, such as fraying, heavy bending, or visible damage. Over time, wind or friction may have worn down the outer sheath of the cable, potentially allowing water to seep in.

In some cases, the cable may also have been intentionally or accidentally cut, for example, during a storm.

Next, inspect the connectors to ensure they are secure and free of moisture. Verify that the connectors are not loose and remain firmly attached to the cable. Check whether the connector is still securely connected to both the antenna and the device. If it has become loose or detached, reconnect it properly and ensure a tight fit. By carefully inspecting the cable and its connectors, you can identify and address issues that might impact the antenna system's performance.

There are no major specifics here that would make a significant difference or require special mention. However, if you are using a different type of antenna for reception, such as a directional antenna, pay attention to its particular characteristics. Ensure that all components are correctly positioned, securely attached, and free from bends or damage.

After checking the reception, we now move on to data transmission. A stable internet connection is essential for this. Depending on the type of connection, it is important to carefully verify whether the station is properly connected, can access the internet, and whether the internet connection is functioning correctly.

Every device can establish a network connection via cable, which is generally the most stable connection method and is rarely affected by interference.

Some devices, such as Raspberry Pi-based models, can also connect via WiFi.
WiFi is much more sensitive and can be disrupted for various reasons.

A WiFi connection can become unstable or unreliable if the device is too far from the router, if there are strong weather fluctuations like heavy rain, or if structural obstacles such as walls with cables and pipes interfere with the signal. Additionally, other devices operating on the same frequencies (such as baby monitors) can cause interference.

If your AIS receiver is connected via WiFi, you should first check whether it is successfully connected to your router.

1. Check the Connection in the Router

Log in to your router’s interface and look for the AIS receiver in the list of connected devices. The assigned IP address is usually displayed there as well, which may be useful for further troubleshooting.

2. Test an Alternative Connection with a Network Cable

If you cannot determine whether the AIS receiver is connected to WiFi, you can use a network cable for testing. Connect the receiver directly to the router or a switch to check if the connection works this way and to proceed with more tests.

Connecting the AIS antenna to the unit during that test is not mandatory. Keep in mind that the station will not go online since no AIS signals can be received.

If this is working, you can log in to the receiver dashboard and check the WiFi connection and quality of the signal.

3. Optimize the Receiver's Placement

If you are experiencing connection issues, try placing the AIS receiver closer to the router. This can help reduce potential interference and improve signal quality.

A wired Ethernet connection is the most stable and least prone to interference. However, the cable can be damaged, or a network port on the router, switch, or receiver can cause issues.

1. Check Cables and Ports

Ensure that the network cable and the port being used are functioning properly. Test the device with a different network cable and connect it to another port on your router or switch. Then, check if a connection can be established.

2. Restart the Router or Switch

Sometimes a simple restart of the router or switch can resolve connection issues. Try restarting the device and testing the connection again.

3. Check the LEDs on the Network Port

If the issue persists, check the LEDs on the network port. Typically, an orange LED indicates that the device is connected to a network, while a green LED shows that data is being sent or received. The exact indicator may vary slightly depending on the device. If the LEDs look similar to the example below, the connection seems to be working fine. If the LEDs are off or only one LED is on or blinking, you may cause an issue. Please contact the support for help.

If you have checked everything and everything seems normal, but the AIS receiver is still offline or causing issues, you can try to find the device on your home network.

To do this, you must be connected to the same network as the AIS receiver. The following article provides further details on how to locate the device on your network.

If you can't find the AIS receiver on your network, consider whether you have made any recent changes to your network. For example:

Especially if you assign a static IP address to the receiver, this can lead to conflicts.

If something comes to mind, try temporarily undoing the changes to fix the issue and calmly find a solution.

If you can find the device on your network and everything seems correct, it is possible that a firewall is blocking the communication to the MarineTraffic Server. Firewalls regulate incoming and outgoing connections and may prevent data from leaving or entering your network.

Check whether you are using a firewall to secure your network. If so, review the settings to ensure that the connection is not being blocked. You will find further details on this in the following article.