Happy to share feedbacks on new install if it can be useful.

[Phil353556]

Hello Jasper,

Creation of a new station for test (SMtest), with AISCatcher in docker mode and using adsm.im following the advise of @wiedehopf see discord exchanges.

Intallatation following: https://jvde-github.github.io/AIS-catcher-docs/installation/docker/

Try:

$ docker run --rm -it --network=host --device-cgroup-rule='c 189:* rmw' -v /dev/bus/usb:/dev/bus/usb -v ais-config:/config ghcr.io/jvde-github/ais-catcher:edge -E /config/config.json 127.0.0.1:8118
AIS-catcher (build Aug 27 2026) v0.70-3628-gef07d6b3
(C) Copyright 2021-2026 jvde-github and other contributors
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Control: created default config file /config/config.json
Control: managed mode, config file "/config/config.json", local access only
TCP Server: start thread at IP 127.0.0.1 port 8118
Control: control server running at port 8118
DB: track store 1024 KB (141 blocks)
Server: reading statistics from /config/config.json.stats
Server: cannot open backup file for reading: /config/config.json.stats (No such file or directory)
Statistics - cannot read file.
TCP Server: start thread at IP 127.0.0.1 port 8119
Webviewer: port 8119, realtime: on, log: off, replay: on, share_loc: on, decoder: on
^CTCP Server: thread ending.
TCP Server: thread ending.
DB: Saved 0 ships to backup

didn't find the SDR RTL 00000002 in menu.

search and found the path using:

for dev in /dev/bus/usb/*/*; do   serial=$(udevadm info --query=property --name="$dev" 2>/dev/null | grep ID_SERIAL_SHORT | cut -d= -f2);   if [ "$serial" = "00000002" ]; then     echo "Clé 00000002 trouvée sur le port : $dev";   fi; done
Clé 00000002 trouvée sur le port : /dev/bus/usb/001/009

Next try with --device option:

$ docker run --rm -it --network=host --device-cgroup-rule='c 189:* rmw' --device  /dev/bus/usb/001/009  -v /dev/bus/usb:/dev/bus/usb -v ais-config:/config ghcr.io/jvde-github/ais-catcher:edge -E /config/config.json 127.0.0.1:8118
AIS-catcher (build Aug 27 2026) v0.70-3628-gef07d6b3
(C) Copyright 2021-2026 jvde-github and other contributors
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Control: managed mode, config file "/config/config.json", local access only
TCP Server: start thread at IP 127.0.0.1 port 8118
Control: control server running at port 8118
DB: track store 1024 KB (141 blocks)
Server: reading statistics from /config/config.json.stats
DB: Restored 0 ships from backup
TCP Server: start thread at IP 127.0.0.1 port 8119
Webviewer: port 8119, realtime: on, log: off, replay: on, share_loc: on, decoder: on
Searching for device with SN 00000002 and type RTLSDR.
Detached kernel driver
Found Rafael Micro R820T tuner
Mutex: single receiver, all sinks lock-free
Mutex: WebViewer sinks self-lock (DB/PlaneDB), raw_counter atomic (1 receivers)
TCP feed: open socket for host: 185.77.96.227, port: 4242, persist: ON, keep_alive: ON, reset: 180, msgformat: COMMUNITY_HUB, uuid: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, gps OFF, own_interval 10, sources: ALL, status: pending
Starting receivers

As the pi is configured as a server: no screen, no keyboard, no mouse
to access to http://localhost:8118 I use a ssh connection with the -L option as follow:
ssh -L 8118:localhost:8118 xxxx@192.168.6.97

Ok configuration successful with the right serial number of the RTL SDR.
Before I used sudo rtl_eeprom -s 00000003 to write a new serial.
because the three SDR RTL I have have all the same serial number 00000001 ... this is a real problem.

the name of the container: determined_napier :-)

$ docker ps
CONTAINER ID   IMAGE                                                              COMMAND                  CREATED          STATUS                    PORTS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             NAMES
ab1ff279e4f0   ghcr.io/jvde-github/ais-catcher:edge                               "/usr/bin/AIS-catche…"   18 minutes ago   Up 18 minutes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               determined_napier

configuration file is there: /var/lib/docker/volumes/ais-config/_data/config.json
the content shows the correct serial number

Create a docker-compose.yml file with

services:
  ais-catcher:
    image: ghcr.io/jvde-github/ais-catcher:edge
    container_name: aiscatcher
    restart: unless-stopped
    network_mode: host
    device_cgroup_rules:
      - 'c 189:* rmw'
    devices:
      - /dev/bus/usb:/dev/bus/usb
    volumes:
      - ais-config:/config
    command: -E /config/config.json 127.0.0.1:8118

volumes:
  ais-config:
    external: true

start the container:

$ docker compose up -d
[+] Running 1/1
 ✔ Container aiscatcher  Started          

It works correctly

$ docker compose logs

aiscatcher  | AIS-catcher (build Aug 27 2026) v0.70-3628-gef07d6b3
aiscatcher  | (C) Copyright 2021-2026 jvde-github and other contributors
aiscatcher  | This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO
aiscatcher  | warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
aiscatcher  | Control: managed mode, config file "/config/config.json", local access only
aiscatcher  | TCP Server: start thread at IP 127.0.0.1 port 8118
aiscatcher  | Control: control server running at port 8118
aiscatcher  | DB: track store 1024 KB (141 blocks)
aiscatcher  | Server: reading statistics from /config/config.json.stats
aiscatcher  | DB: Restored 10 ships from backup
aiscatcher  | Server: starting backup service every 10 minutes.
aiscatcher  | TCP Server: start thread at IP 127.0.0.1 port 8119
aiscatcher  | Webviewer: port 8119, track_memory: 1024 KB, realtime: on, log: on, replay: on, share_loc: on, decoder: on
aiscatcher  | Server: stopping backup service.
aiscatcher  | Searching for device with SN 00000002 and type RTLSDR.
aiscatcher  | Server: starting backup service every 10 minutes.
aiscatcher  | Detached kernel driver
aiscatcher  | Found Rafael Micro R820T tuner
aiscatcher  | Mutex: single receiver, all sinks lock-free
aiscatcher  | Mutex: WebViewer sinks self-lock (DB/PlaneDB), raw_counter atomic (1 receivers)
aiscatcher  | TCP feed: open socket for host: 185.77.96.227, port: 4242, persist: ON, keep_alive: ON, reset: 180, msgformat: COMMUNITY_HUB, uuid: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, gps OFF, own_interval 10, sources: ALL, status: pending
aiscatcher  | Starting receivers
aiscatcher  | Control: engine started
aiscatcher  | Device    : RTL2838UHIDIR
aiscatcher  | Settings  : rate 1536K format CU8 tuner AUTO rtlagc ON biastee OFF buffer_count 24
aiscatcher  | Model #0-0 -> (Src: 1, Grp: 1): [AIS engine v1 base] channel AB ps_ema ON afc_wide ON droop ON fp_ds OFF dsk OFF 
aiscatcher  | Entering main loop
aiscatcher  | TCP (185.77.96.227:4242): reset in 10841s.
aiscatcher  | TCP (185.77.96.227:4242): connected.
aiscatcher  | DB: Saved 10 ships to backup
aiscatcher  | DB: Saved 28 ships to backup
aiscatcher  | AIS: invalid message of type 18 and length 102
aiscatcher  | DB: Saved 32 ships to backup

pi rebooted, all is up & running.

$ dockerls
CONTAINER ID   NAMES              STATUS                    IMAGE                                                              PORTS
06723e2e8785   aiscatcher         Up 20 minutes             ghcr.io/jvde-github/ais-catcher:edge                               
f6513414ca2f   ultrafeeder        Up 20 minutes             ghcr.io/sdr-enthusiasts/docker-adsb-ultrafeeder:latest-build-931   0.0.0.0:30001-30006->30001-30006/tcp, :::30001-30006->30001-30006/tcp, 0.0.0.0:30047->30047/tcp, :::30047->30047/tcp, 0.0.0.0:30104->30104/tcp, :::30104->30104/tcp, 0.0.0.0:30152->30152/tcp, :::30152->30152/tcp, 0.0.0.0:31003-31006->31003-31006/tcp, :::31003-31006->31003-31006/tcp, 0.0.0.0:32006->32006/tcp, :::32006->32006/tcp, 0.0.0.0:1090->80/tcp, :::1090->80/tcp
dc42a2688ba7   skystats           Up 19 minutes             ghcr.io/tomcarman/skystats:0.1.13                                  0.0.0.0:5173->80/tcp, :::5173->80/tcp
7633122dd9e8   skystats-db        Up 20 minutes (healthy)   postgres:17                                                        5432/tcp
b09823d6719e   opensky            Up 20 minutes             ghcr.io/sdr-enthusiasts/docker-opensky-network:latest-build-829    
57a993ac737d   piaware            Up 20 minutes             ghcr.io/sdr-enthusiasts/docker-piaware:latest-build-658            30003/tcp, 30005/tcp, 30105/tcp, 30978-30979/tcp, 0.0.0.0:1093->80/tcp, :::1093->80/tcp, 0.0.0.0:1092->8080/tcp, :::1092->8080/tcp
2a428b839e3c   dozzle             Up 20 minutes             ghcr.io/amir20/dozzle:v10.6.2                                      0.0.0.0:1094->8080/tcp, :::1094->8080/tcp
28d2dd4cd414   adsb-setup-proxy   Up 20 minutes             alpine:3.23.3           

Result: On the same pi under docker, AISCachter (AIS) and piaware and some more (ADSB) are running correctly however there is an issue.

• The two antennas are at the same high, closed.
• same hardware (SDR RTL, cables, antennas)
• the current aiscatcher (SM35) sees 89 ships
• the new one aiscatcher (SMtest) only sees 21 ships.
  Why?

current:

new one:

Both run on a pi 4 under trixie(13), but on the new one (docker version) on the webpage it is written: "Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)"

"Show Server Errors" --> NONE

Any remarks, suggestion are welcome
Regards
Phil

[wiedehopf]

This is really the wrong place unless you tried to use ais-catcher without a container ...

Edit: thought it was some serial passthrough issue but after trying to understand what the actual issue is ... not sure i'm clear at all.
While this references discord, it's not concise at all so ... not my problem.

[Phil353556]

Thank you for your answer. I will not disturb you anymore / sorry.

[jvde-github]

No idea why you have a difference in reception. It triggers a thought though that docker does not really make it easier than running the install script :-) Anyway, should not make a difference.

Are you sure the dongle with serial number 00000002 is the AIS one? There might be some interference from the board or the other dongle. I would try a few permutations, swap antennas, swap sticks, stop the ADSB feed for a moment and see if it improves ?

[jvde-github]

Btw I have also seen that placing two antennas nearby can impact reception negatively.

[Phil353556]

Thank you
I'm going to move them farther apart

[wiedehopf]

Ok this is headache material ... you can just enable AIS on adsb.im via the webinterface.
If you of course use the command line all bets are off, not what adsb.im is for.

[jvde-github]

He runs with -E, hence via controlled environment which I think is the best way to run, ADSB.im unfortunately does not seem to support this (yet)....

[wiedehopf]

You can add command line stuff via the shipfeeder extra args env var.
But really not what adsb.im is for.

adsb.im is so you don't have to deal with configuration.
Exposing all kinds of ais-catcher options is not the goal.

[Phil353556]

Hello,

00000002 found on port: /dev/bus/usb/001/003 -> AISCatcher
00000003 found on port: /dev/bus/usb/001/004 -> ADSB.SM

$ sudo cat /var/lib/docker/volumes/ais-config/_data/config.json
{"config":"aiscatcher","version":1,"engine":"on","sharing":true,"control":{"wizard":false,"viewer":{"share_loc":true,"realtime":true,"decoder":true,"log":true,"file":"/config/config.json.stats","station":"My Station","webcontrol_http":"","lat":0,"lon":0,"use_gps":true,"history":1800,"track_memory":1024,"track_time":3600,"expire":false,"replay":true,"split":true,"backup":10,"context":"settings","msg":false,"geojson":false,"prome":false,"zone":[]},"password":"6df75f3xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxfd2a3c5359fa0fba7d714ef044fa629","salt":"07b5b96995d3dxxxxxxxxxxb1c"},"receiver":[{"input":"RTLSDR","serial":"00000002"}],"sharing_key":"xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"}

From adsb.im interface

Phil

[jvde-github]

I would definitely unplug the ADSB dongle for a moment and see what happens with the AIS reception....

[Phil353556]

Done / Thanks
I will wait until tomorrow

[Phil353556]

@jvde-github
FYI
seen as linux bookworm(12), but trixie (13) installed and running

[Phil353556]

Ok
Now it is far better.
What was wrong?
I didn't configured correctly the parameters: ie gain, sampling and so on.
once I replicate the existing parameters from the first installation, and wait a few minutes, the number of vessel was quite similar.
I should like to thanks @g7ruh for the high value of this discussion #75
-> this is a must.

No problem with the antennas closed together, no problem with the dongle used for AIS. However even is the serial number of each dongle is correctly used in parameters, it can weird when plugin a second one. Stop / start containers seems help.
Otherwise AIScatcher lost the dongle.
Using this command:
$ for dev in /dev/bus/usb/*/*; do serial=$(udevadm info --query=property --name="$dev" | grep ID_SERIAL_SHORT | cut -d= -f2); if [ -n "$serial" ]; then model=$(udevadm info --query=property --name="$dev" | grep -E '^ID_MODEL=' | cut -d= -f2); vendor=$(udevadm info --query=property --name="$dev" | grep -E '^ID_VENDOR=' | cut -d= -f2); [ -z "$model" ] && model=$(udevadm info --query=property --name="$dev" | grep -E '^ID_USB_MODEL_DESC=' | cut -d= -f2); syspath=$(udevadm info --query=path --name="$dev"); if [ -f "/sys${syspath}/speed" ]; then speed=$(cat "/sys${syspath}/speed"); case "$speed" in 1.5) usb_ver="USB 1.1 (Low Speed)" ;; 12) usb_ver="USB 1.1/2.0 (Full Speed)" ;; 480) usb_ver="USB 2.0 (High Speed)" ;; 5000) usb_ver="USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 (SuperSpeed)" ;; 10000) usb_ver="USB 3.1 Gen 2 (SuperSpeed+)" ;; 20000) usb_ver="USB 3.2 Gen 2x2" ;; *) usb_ver="USB inconnu (${speed} Mbps)" ;; esac; else usb_ver="Vitesse inconnue"; fi; echo "$dev: [$vendor $model] - S/N: $serial - ($usb_ver)"; fi; done
I noted that usb adresses can change when plugin a dongle.
Current values are:
S/N: 00000002 -> AISCatcher
S/N: 00000003 -> adsb

/dev/bus/usb/001/001: [Linux_6.18.39+rpt-rpi-v8_xhci-hcd xHCI_Host_Controller] - S/N: 0000:01:00.0 - (USB 2.0 (High Speed))
/dev/bus/usb/001/007: [Realtek RTL2838UHIDIR] - S/N: 00000002 - (USB 2.0 (High Speed))
/dev/bus/usb/001/008: [Realtek RTL2838UHIDIR] - S/N: 00000003 - (USB 2.0 (High Speed))
/dev/bus/usb/002/001: [Linux_6.18.39+rpt-rpi-v8_xhci-hcd xHCI_Host_Controller] - S/N: 0000:01:00.0 - (USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 (SuperSpeed))
/dev/bus/usb/002/002: [Intenso USB3.0_Device] - S/N: DD56419884C8D - (USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 (SuperSpeed))

Current results:

• AISCatcher runs in "managed mode" using docker. Same performance compared with the initial installation (2023) using CLI.
• ADSB runs using docker

Hope this can help.
Regards / Phil

[jvde-github]

out of curiosity, what is your gain setting?

[Phil353556]

38.6
the same for station SM35 since 2023, and now SMtest

[jvde-github]

ok, thanks! interesting that the defaults did not work well for you but happy you are up and running

[Phil353556]

Yes, Thanks Jasper for your patience, availability and your kindness.
Phil