SeaClear

[phiggins]

Thanks JeffryF but that didn't work either. I tried
Use Chart Numbers=0
Use Chart Numbers=1
Chart Numbers=1
Chart Numbers=0
ChartNumbers=1

Nothing worked.

I noticed from that post you referred to that it doesn't really give you the chart number anyway, just some obscure number. Maybe not worth it.

Oh, well.

[raisin56]

What I found is that in SeaClear under "file" - "Chart Info" you will find that obscure number listed next to the chart name in a box labeled "#". I'm with you that it is a useless value where ever it comes from, I need the .kap image file number. I find no way to edit that information in either SeaClear or MapCal.

[phiggins]

Don't know why it hasn't showed up in this thread but I got another email from scotte detailing how to enter this and it is:
Use Chart Numbers=1

I tried it and it works. I guess I was expecting another column in the Chart List titled "Chart Number" but actually it just appends the chart number to the chart name eg:
"DRAKES BAY:1821" where 1821 is the chart number.
You can also search on that number.

Thanks scotte

[scotte]

The bad news is it looks like the chart # listed here is not consistently correct, but I haven't had a chance to see what mapcal is reading from the KAP file, and see why/what makes it difference from the regular paper chart #.

[claire]

How to pass GPS data from Seaclear to other program:

First, download and run N8VB vCOM at N8VB vCOM Virtual Serial Port Driver 1.0.0.4 software download - Windows - VersionTracker . This program creates virtual serial ports and connections between them. Once loaded, go to start - programs - N8VB... - and open the VcomConfigurator. Select, for instance COM10 <-> COM20 (unselect anything else) and hit "update driver".

In Seaclear, go to tools - properties - comm and set your configuration as follows:

Set Rx2 to receive the GPS/AIS data (for me, COM 4 when serial/USB adapter is used in upper USB slot). BPS = 4800 if direct from GPS or 38400 if from AIS
Set Tx/Rx1 to transmit GPS data on port COM 20 @ 4800 BPS. List at least the following sentences under "NMEA Passthrough": GPGLL, GPGGA, GPZDA.

Voila! you now have the GPS data available on virtual serial port COM 10 for input into your other program.

This will allow you, for example, to display AIS on Seaclear while doing anything else you want with your GPS data into another program.

Cheers

[hellosailor]

Claire, that URL just tries to sell version tracker, and then points back to N8VB's own web site. Where if you scroll down far enough, there's a download button for his software--but when I tried it there was no active link, no download. (I don't know if he's dropped it, or it was blocked, just that it didn't work for me.)

It is also unconfirmed for use with Vista, fwiw.

Franson's GPSGATE might be the better way to go. http://www.franson.com/gpsgate/

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Claire, that URL just tries to sell version tracker, and then points back to N8VB's own web site. Where if you scroll down far enough, there's a download button for his software--but when I tried it there was no active link, no download. (I don't know if he's dropped it, or it was blocked, just that it didn't work for me.)

Click this to download the driver directly

[hellosailor]

Thanks, Rick.

[SouthernDrawl]

I'm using Sea Clear II on my boat, but it's inconsistent. Sometimes the laptop and gps interface perfectly, but sometimes the GPS signal is interrpreted as cursor signal and the cursor is unusable. The Sea Clear website refers to this problem, and I installed the Microsoft utility designed to fix the prob, but it doesn't operate as advertised. I've tried disabling the com port in question, but then the GPS signal can't be read.
Has anyone else had the cursor jitter problem? And how did you resolve the problem?

[hellosailor]

S'drawl, assuming you are using a Windows box of some kind and a serial GPS?

Yes, this is an old problem and has equally old solutions. Do a web search for "disable serial mouse in Windows (XP, etc.)" and you will see there are a number of different ways to tell the computer "there's no mouse here, go away and play nice". The most effective one is to add something to the Windows boot text itself, a parameter like "noserialmouse" is added to the line in the BOOT.INI file that tells windows how to start up. That pre-empts everything and takes the least amount of space and time to do it.

Well documented in the MS support databases, those KB####### files.

[Islander]

I fixed mine by switching off the GPS when the cursor started jumping, leaving it connected to the PC.

Then, in "Device manager" expand "Mice and other pointing devices".

Right-click on serial mouse and choose disable.

Worked for me in Vista, can't give more specific directions without knowing which version of Windows you're using.

Cheers

[hellosailor]

That's the same toggle that the "noserialmouse" parameter sets, but setting it in BOOT.INI throws the toggle immediately during boot, instead of while the system is checking its fingers and toes. (All versions of NT, including Vista, enumerate/validate hardware during cold boots.)

The control panel option is meant more for folks who need to toggle it back and forth while the computer is still in use, without being restarted. But obviously--it still does the job.

[SouthernDrawl]

Hey, Y'all... Thanks for your help. I'll try those ideas and let you know.
Southern Drawl

[knottidedownalt]

Are you using windowsXP or vista? and are u using a usb or serial port?

[knottidedownalt]

I needed to install a driver for vista in order to get seaclear to work/reconize the gps...
http://eb.kawagebo.net/manual/vista-prolific-chip-driver-for-serial-adapters.zip

bill

ps does anyone have electronic charts for Canada?