{"id":13093,"date":"2018-05-28T09:05:51","date_gmt":"2018-05-28T07:05:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.victronenergy.com\/blog\/?p=13093"},"modified":"2025-06-12T09:48:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T07:48:22","slug":"signal-k-embracing-connectivity-with-victron-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.victronenergy.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/28\/signal-k-embracing-connectivity-with-victron-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"Signal K: Embracing connectivity with Victron Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a mariner you’ll know communication is key to a safe, well run vessel. Communication though can be difficult at sea, particularly when it comes to the marine electronics version with its multiple, different data standards.<\/p>\n

\"\"

<\/div><\/a> International Code of Signals (ICS), K for Kilo: \u2018I wish to communicate with you\u2019.<\/p><\/div>\n

What if there was the electronic equivalent of the K for Kilo code flag whose premise is that of the\u00a0ICS – an international system of signals and codes for use by vessels to communicate important messages, regardless of the native language?<\/p>\n

There is such a beast – and not unsurprisingly it’s called Signal K.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

What exactly is Signal K?<\/p>\n

It’s a free, modern, Open Source, universal marine data exchange format. A more comprehensive description is the one on their website:<\/p>\n

“Signal K is the next generation solution for marine data exchange. It not only allows for communication between instruments and sensors on board a single vessel, but also allows sharing of data between multiple boats, aids to navigation, bridges, marinas and other land-based resources. It is designed to be easily used by Web and Mobile applications and to connect modern boats to the Internet of Things”.<\/p>\n

Announcement<\/h3>\n

Digital Yacht were the first commercial manufacturer to embrace Signal K with their iKommunicate<\/a> gateway and like them, we at Victron Energy are Open Source fans. Hence, Victron Energy MD, Matthijs Vader is pleased to announce his wholehearted company support for Signal K – the first by a business at Victron’s level in the marine industry to do so. But why do this?<\/p>\n

It’s about vision and doing – I asked Matthijs what that means for him. In principal he would like to help Signal K to grow beyond its small beginnings and the current community stage, to a point where the sailor doesn’t need to understand the inner workings of Signal K –\u00a0 to one where they have a solution without having to concern themselves with how it works.<\/p>\n

In fact I think an old English proverb captures the spirit of Victron Energy’s announcement well:<\/p>\n

‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.’<\/p>\n

Key Victron reasons to support Signal K<\/h3>\n