Nmea-Server an alternative to VDR

[rgleason]

Transmitter Dan has provided an alternative to VDR which works guite nicely.
I have added the use of Launcher_pi to make it easier on a daily basis.

Here is the writeup under Supplementary Software
Nmea Server using Python Script and Launcher_pi | Official OpenCPN Homepage

The files necessary are found in Opencpn Beta File Thingie rguser rgpass
Download from the Nmea-Server folder. PLEASE Remove ".TXT" from VDRServer1.py.TXT

Launcher_pi for Opencpn Beta v4.1.x is available here
Plugins for OpenCPN 4.1 | Official OpenCPN Homepage

You can also get two of the files below, but remove the ".doc". The other two Nmea files are very large and must be retrieved via Opencpn Beta File Thingie above.

[rgleason]

Not to take anyhting away from this Nmea-Server with TDan's Python Script, c:\python27 is 95mb!

NavMonPC is an excellent Nmea tool, a complete jacknife really, and it has some good instrument panels too. If VDR is giving trouble, try using NavMonPC. You can get the Nmea file to play at 1x, 10x and 100x and you just have to get the nmea playing and configure one of the Virtual ports for a given Com Port. Then setup that Com port in Opencpn.

[transmitterdan]

Rick,

I made a few "improvements" and put it all here:

https://github.com/transmitterdan/VDRplayer.git

This probably the best place to keep it as revision history can be tracked.

[rgleason]

Agreed, but I think the README should have a little of the information that is in the writeup under Supplementary Software
Nmea Server using Python Script and Launcher_pi | Official OpenCPN Homepage

In the README an example with this command with all the paths.
c:\python27\python c:\python27\VDRServer1.py C:\Data-Dart\Nmea\Hakefjord-Sweden.txt 127.0.0.1 2947 .033

Because it is needed if you don't set the path and if you have nmea in a different directory.

I had been thinking how to get the files available and first thought that Sourceforge would be best, ..right in the OpenCPN - OpencpnPlugins files....

I'll add your source at opencpn.org docs and keep this first one up for a little while.

[rgleason]

Is there any way to reduce python size? Probably not, particularly if you use it for other things.

I particularly like being able to go into Launcher_pi and just hit one of the files setup. Its pretty convenient.

[rgleason]

Also, is there any way to improve VDR?
1. Ability to make it go faster.
2. Ability to have a slider representing the location in the file, so that we can jump to a certain spot and test with that Nmea stream. This would be helpful with AIS testing in particular, but also with others plugins because you can get to better data stream faster.

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Is there any way to reduce python size? Probably not, particularly if you use it for other things.

I particularly like being able to go into Launcher_pi and just hit one of the files setup. Its pretty convenient.

This tool is mainly for testing so size of Python didn't matter to me. Python will be already installed on most Linux boxes. It is very handy for lots of little odd jobs.

[rgleason]

It works very nicely and combined with Launcher it can be quite easy to use.
Is there a way to get it to loop the same file?

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by rgleason

It works very nicely and combined with Launcher it can be quite easy to use.
Is there a way to get it to loop the same file?

On the https://github.com/transmitterdan/VDRplayer repository there should be a file called loop.bat. It is compatible with VDRplayer.py I haven't made a loop.sh for Linux yet. When I get time I will but it is trivial.

[rgleason]

Thanks

[rgleason]

TDan,

What do you think of this tcp-simulator from Signal K?

https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-tcp-simulator

Perhaps another way to skin the cat.

[transmitterdan]

As far as I can tell it is written for TCP mode but not UDP. It has the file name embedded in the source so it only works with that name. Not a big deal there. It also does not seem to have a way to adjust the playout speed. It requires Java.

[rgleason]

Your script is better then.

[Hakan]

TDan..
I've tested you NMEA py-script. Very nice and handy, tanks.

You may want to add this tips to the readme file?:

"For UDP mode the IP address 127.0.0.1 is also known as localhost and used when sending to a client on the same machine. The IP address of any other machine on the network may be given." To reach all machines within a local network, like a wifi router, use the address 192.168.x.255.
Example for a local net where the router address is 192.168.1.0:
python VDRplayer.py Hakefjord.txt 192.168.1.255 10110 0.05 UDP
Any receiving machine can then use IP address 0.0.0.0 and port 10110 in the connection properties

But please edit my text where needed.

Håkan

[rgleason]

Hakan, TDan I added a comment to Connections. OK?

Data Connections | Official OpenCPN Homepage

Maybe add an example for Radar, as illustration?

I can edit this further if you wish.