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Old 26-03-2012, 08:18   #1
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Globalstar SPOT Input to OpenCPN

Is anybody interested and capable of porting the Globalstar SPOT positioning system into OpenCPN?

An in-expensive little and portable unit receives GPS position and transmits it to LOS satellites which relays the data to Globalstar databases which can be polled for the required data over satellite/internet connection in short bursts,using a minimum of time/bandwith.

It has been done very successfully by SpotWalla with optional map views.
SpotWalla - Trip Viewer - s.y. SAILBOAT X

The Globalstar SPOT system has coverage over the most important areas of the world and is a great way to keep family and friends informed of your location. It is also very important for resque operations.

In my opinion,it would be a very valuable addition to OpenCPN's facilities and for the thousands of SPOT users around the world.

Tore
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Old 26-03-2012, 13:13   #2
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Re: Globalstar SPOT input to OpenCPN

Sounds good, Sinbad! I am interested, we use OpenCPN and have a SPOT onboard but I am not capable.

In fact, the SPOT OK message is currently connected to Facebook. Could be interesting if there was a medical emergency and we hit the secondary button.

Can we help as guinea pigs?
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Old 26-03-2012, 16:35   #3
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Re: Globalstar SPOT input to OpenCPN

Jimbo485..

Send me a PM with the following info and I will set you up with SpotWalla
until we get someone to port SPOT targets to OpenCPN.:

1. Your SPOT ESN number
2. Your Shared page code
3. The name of your boat
4. Your present location

When I have enrolled you (free) I will send your SpotWalla access link which you can send to family and friends. You can also download your Track for direct import into OpenCPN.

Tore
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Old 27-03-2012, 07:06   #4
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Re: Globalstar SPOT input to OpenCPN

Jim..

Thanks for the SPOT details but I need the FULL public page code.
Please send to my PM.

I would also recommend activating Tracking at around US Dlr 50.- per year.

Regds
Tore
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Old 28-03-2012, 06:14   #5
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Re: Globalstar SPOT input to OpenCPN

Tore:

Not a developer but it should be rather simple. Looking at the source page for swalla your page for example there is a simple php script called trip something. Ok thats what polls the spot server.

Then I created an account and read the help pages.

-------------------
SPOT XML Interface

Follow these steps to configure the SPOT XML Interface:
  1. Login to your SPOT account.
  2. Click on the Share tab.
  3. Under the SPOT Shared Pages section, click the Create Shared Page link.
  4. Name the page something like SPOT XML Interface.
  5. Select the messenger (i.e. SPOT device) for the shared page. If you only have one, it will be selected automatically. If you have more than one device, you must select the device for which you're creating a feed to SpotWalla. Do not select multiple devices! If you have more than one device in SpotWalla, you will need to create a separate shared page for each device.
  6. Check all message types to share on this page.
  7. In the Share GPS locations from the last drop down list, select an appropriate number of days. Personally, I wouldn't select anything over 2 days, but it's totally up to you.
  8. This is important... For the Share message detail setting, please select Yes. This allows SpotWalla to pull the custom message text that you've setup for Ok, Help and Custom messages.
  9. Password protection is not currently supported. Ensure the page is public and has no password.
  10. Ensure the Notify family... checkbox is unchecked.
  11. Click the Create button.
  12. A popup window will appear. In it is the URL/link to this shared page. Copy the link to the clipboard or otherwise save it somewhere. Double-clicking the URL should highlight it. You can then right-click the URL and choose Copy from the menu. You're going to need this URL in step 17 below.
  13. Click the Ok button to dismiss the popup window.
  14. Now login to SpotWalla.
  15. Click the Devices link in the upper-right of the screen.
  16. Click the Interface link for the device you're configuring.
  17. Paste the shared page URL from step 12 into the SPOT shared page field.
  18. Click the Save button.
-------------------------


So the php script is polling a simple xml file that is made publlically available from the spot server. This would be a rather simple exercise to have this included in OpenCPN but others more talented then I. But thats basically how it works.



Best regards


/ch
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Old 28-03-2012, 07:23   #6
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Re: Globalstar SPOT input to OpenCPN

Sailias..

All that's ok,but the difficulty is the next step,to port the SPOT locations to OCPN automatically,like AIS.

Have a look: http://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?...44f144d6d582cc
(Select ALL from the adjustments menu to see the whole trip to Cuba)

Tore
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