OpenCPN Radar Overlay PlugIn

[Helmsmatt]

Capsud,
We had similar issues. Very frustrating.
Our "aha" moment had to do with the firewall configuration on win 7. Might be the same for win8.
Several firewall options that need to be allowed in the firewall setup.
My better half, Cindy, retired s/w Engineer , posted using my access on this thread. Go back several pages to my previous posting to find detailed instructions on the entire setup. I think one of the thread controllers also embedded her directions in the formal setup.
I can have Cindy contact you directly if need be. Only difficulty is that we are cruising, currently in St. John's with very good wifi, but that could change tomorrow...
Our radar works very well, but at least for us, the radar and the power on switch on the adapter need to be on before firing up OCPN or it won't recognize the LAN connection, and you DO need the recommended hardware and switch for the LAN cable....
Matt

[CapSud]

Thanks for the files on windows 7 setup ...

I have 2 computers i want to use one for backup... You never know when a pc crashes...

Problem 1 is that both windows are in french and things are hard to find as described in the forum.

Problem 2 in windows 7 i do not seem to have access to the firewall setup, there is no blue link so I cannot find the advanced firewall settings...

Problem 3 is that I am not that good with setting deeep inside things on windows.

If anyone uses french windows xp and 7 please contact me.

A teamviewer intervention could do too.

[Kona]

Hello all. I have read this whole thread, i have downloaded version 1.4, i have bought garmin gmr18 plus the amphenol device, I have read the pdf about how to connect all this... I still cannot make that thing to work.

All windows are not equal and some limks are missing or are completely different.

Is there a step by step video on how to do it all from very start? if yes please tell where...

I am a bit disapointed to see that many of you succeeded in implementimg this plugin for opencpn in a very easy way... On my side, i am starting to thing to buy a radar screen.

Thanks

[bdbcat]

Kona...

As far as I know, there is no video instruction for the Garmin radar PlugIn.

But we can help you.

Please start by telling us what you have done, and what were the results, please. As much detail as you can provide would speed the process.

Thanks
Dave

[Helmsmatt]

Kona,
We are enjoying our Garmin radar.
But it wasn't easy.
Give your particulars, PC, operating system, and what you've done to date. BDBCAT is the Man who can help you. Our issues, that were all ours:
Poorly grounded connector on LAN cable connecting into the LAN adapter, and opening up the WIN 7 firewall, which is controlled by Microsoft in 3 places, that all need to be opened.
Good luck. It's a bit frustrating, it was for us, but now it's a robust solution WITHOUT an MFD.
Matt

[Kona]

Thanks BDBCAT and Helmsmatt, i really appreciate not being alone in that venture.

For the novice that I am, the documentation so far available in the pdf we find on the opencpn website and the ones we find on this very forum and not detailed enough.

Here's what I have done so far with the results...

Bought the GMR18 (not the hd) installed and connected it to 12 volts.

Downloaded GRadar version 1.4... installed and activated it in opencpn

Bought the amphenol device not knowing what to do with it... should we weld something or use as is?

The GMR18 cable has 2 different end (color not the same places) which goes where?

I use windows xp and windows 7

Under windows xp On opening of opencpn, i get

0: Found network interface: 192.168.11.18/24
1: Found network interface: 127.0.0.1/8
2: Scanner at 172.16.2.0 is <<NOT>> accessible for master control.
3: Successfully added to multicast group 239.254.2.0
4: UpdateState: PluginState [S] Searching (1) Scanner state: Unknown (0)
5: True Heading: 0 Mag Heading: -1.#IND Variation: -1.#IND thpri: 99 mhpri: 99 vpri: 99


on windows 7 on one other computer i get

0: Found network interface: 127.0.0.1/8
1: Scanner at 172.16.2.0 is <<NOT>> accessible for master control.
2: Successfully added to multicast group 239.254.2.0
3: True Heading: 0 Mag Heading: -1.#IND Variation: -1.#IND thpri: 99 mhpri: 99 vpri: 99

And that is it... I swear i do not understand a thing about IP address.

Should we click connexion under opencpn and enter it somewhere? if yes, where and what?

I can get reached on skype as Chweedeleebop

Thanks

[Helmsmatt]

Ok Kona, I'm not an electrical Engineer, just a lowly mechanical guy who understands little about transistors. So I think I can help, since your problems seem hardware related at the moment. The first, and biggest problem is that we require the HD version of the radar head. The non- HD version will not work. In looking back on the thread, the HD is the only one mentioned.
Next, did you follow the instructions on this thread, with the photos, to connect the on/off switch to the LAN cable adapter?
It's also important that the LAN cable shiel is properly connected to the connector housing.

[Helmsmatt]

Kona, while I'm thinking about it, when you do get the above sorted out, you need to have the radar power applied, and the on/off switch you installed must be ON before firing up Open CPN. BDBCAT initially said this wasn't necessary, but at least on my system, it's got to be powered up for OpenCPN to see the scanner and let me switch from 'slave' to 'master'. After you initially get it recognized, you can turn off the OCPN radar button and the on/off switch to save power and turn it on at any time (until you shut the system down and fire it all up again)
Kona, this all seems complicated, and initially is, but once you've got it up and running, and follow your startup routine the same way every time, it will be easy. The radar is very simple for us. Our boat has a very complex wireless communication system between three onboard PCs, and it all works quite well. So I know when you get gradar working you'll be happy.

[Kona]

Shoot ! I did not buy the HD so i guess I am done to buy a radar screen... :-( My goal was to save money since the HD is double the price of the ordinary GMR18, buying a radar screen will cost the same...

Thanks for your answers. I'll keep quiet for another some years.

[bdbcat]

Kona...

Don't give up yet on the standard GMR18.

We have only tested the HD, but I'm pretty sure that the standard model will work as well.

First, as Matt said, you will need to get and install the wired switch on the Ampenol connector. This switch acts as a simple substitute for the power button on the MFD. Since you have no MFD (I don't either), you need the power switch.

Here is a simple picture of what you need:

Dave

[captainjim47]

Reading this thread, I remember from my navy days, the radar was 2GHz @ 1/4MW, WiFi is 2GHz... anyone notice any issues?

[Kona]

Cool and thanks... this is a major information we sure cannot guess as a no good in electronic... I hope someday I will get the whole picture at once... I mean a full text with ABSOLUTELY everthing on it...

From here I still need to understand the IP addess thing... What do we do and where in wondws 7 and xp and in opencpn... In windows 7 i cannot access the firewall... Since I do not understand what I am doing I really need to be taken by the hand from here to there... I have read the whole thread so far to no good about that ip address syndrome :-(

[bdbcat]

Kona...

Absolutely nothing happens until you wire the Amphenol switch.

Then we can walk through the ip thing.

Let us know when you are ready with the hardware.

Dave

[Kona]

OK BDBCat, got you. Can I just weld a wire from the ground of amphenol to pin 5 and activate the 12 volts of the GMR18 when I need it?

For now I will just weld the switch as shown on your precious picture.

[Kona]

OK BDBCat will do ... Can we weld a simple wire and let the circuit closed and simply turn off and on the 12 volt on the antenna ?