Open CPN GPS Issue

[SVDiomedea]

Hi,

I am new to OpenCPN and just downloaded a copy for evaluation. I installed the program on a laptop running Windows 7. I also installed a few charts for my location (SE Alaska). I then installed a puck GPS. Using the GPS utility (the one that came with the GPS) I can verify that the GPS is working. In OpenCPN the boat is red (presumably indicating that there is a GPS fix), but the dot for the GPS status icon is also red (presumably indicating that there is not a fix). In fact these icons are identical to the picture on the OpenCPN homepage (OpenCPN | Official OpenCPN Homepage). Red boat. Red dot.

When I click on Auto Follow I end up in the middle of the Pacific ocean, suggesting that the GPS is not communicating with the software. Has anyone had a similar issue and could they help me out? I have read the users manual.

Thanks!

[cagney]

Turn off your GPS utility, before trying OpenCPN. Only one program at a time can read can read the gps puck.
How is your data connection, Data Connections | Official OpenCPN Homepage, configured?

/Thomas

[SVDiomedea]

Thank you for replying.

I've attached a copy of the screen. It looks like everything should be set up right. I also checked device manager to make sure the baud rate and COM port are correct

In case you can't read the screen shot here is the info:

Serial
DataPort: Com 7 Baudrate 4800
Protocol: NMEA 0183 (this featured is gray and cannot be changed)
Priority 0

For Input filtering I tried both "accept only sentences" and "ignore sentences" with no difference

Thanks

[Gilletarom]

Hello SVDiomedea

Originally Posted by SVDiomedea

Thank you for replying.

I've attached a copy of the screen. It looks like everything should be set up right. I also checked device manager to make sure the baud rate and COM port are correct ....

Serial
DataPort: Com 7 Baudrate 4800
Protocol: NMEA 0183 (this featured is gray and cannot be changed)
Priority 0

Thanks

Are you shure that 4800 is good for baudate ? 34800 are often good.

[cagney]

SVDiomedea

If you press "Show NMEA debug window" ....do you see any data?
Please publish a full session from the opencpn.log. For the location of this file check
Installing OpenCPN | Official OpenCPN Homepage

/Thomas