Radar Simulation Screen for OpenCPN

[sinbad7]

The simulation AIS radar screen plugin does not display ANY AIS targets in either Opencpn v. 2.6.1723 or 29

Tore

[nohal]

Tore...
Do you actually have any AIS targets in the selected range from your own GPS position? If you are not currently on a boat it could be unlikely...

Pavel

[sinbad7]

Pavel..

I have my own SR162 AIS receiver here,with lots of targets visible.
I adjusted the range but nothing visible..

My nearest target at this moment is 26nm but the max setting of the plugin is 32nm.

Tore

[nohal]

Tore...
Could I see a screenshot? All I have available is a recorded stream and the plugin works fine with it. Can't test with real data as the nearest coast is currently some 800 kilometers from here.

Pavel

[sinbad7]

Pavel..

As you can see,the target is within range (32) but nothing is visible.
I also think the selection range should be increased to whatever the user inputs.

Tore

[nohal]

Tore...
Obvious: You don't have GPS connected, the plugin does not know what your position is, so it can't show anything...

Pavel

[sinbad7]

Pavel..

Surely the opencpn algorithm always knows the position of ownship?
Don´t think AIS targets should be GPS dependent,what if the GPS fails
or none installed at all?

Tore

[nohal]

Tore...
This plugin needs the current position from the GPS, without it it does not make any sense. If there's no GPS, you simply can't use it.

Pavel

[sinbad7]

Pavel..

OK,but that limits it´s use. Opencpn already have a similar feature, ´Show radar rings´ based on Own ship´s location which is more configurable and does not hide all the features of the map. I think a translucent version would be better and also with the possibilty to read the bearing and distance to EACH AIS target.

Tore

[nohal]

Tore...
Nobody forces you to use this plugin Perhaps it's author reads this forum and will consider your suggestions....

Pavel

[sinbad7]

Nohal..

My comments are only made as a tester with suggestions.
The plugin is of no use to me as it stands,although I DO have GPS.

Tore

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by sinbad7

Pavel..

Surely the opencpn algorithm always knows the position of ownship?
Don´t think AIS targets should be GPS dependent,what if the GPS fails
or none installed at all?

Tore

Originally Posted by sinbad7

Nohal..

My comments are only made as a tester with suggestions.
The plugin is of no use to me as it stands,although I DO have GPS.

Tore

I have no skin in the game, but am commenting as a casual observer.

I'm trying to imagine a scenario where one would be operating a chartplotter needing realtime radar and AIS without a GPS connected?

A chartplotter without GPS is simply an electronic version of charts. Radar doesn't need GPS except to display to the user the coordinates of a target found via it's own ranging mechanism. AIS is totally coordinate driven, and in this instance, is apparently plotted by first calculating bearing/distance from the coordinates delivered by the GPS independent of the underlying chart layer. My point is that AIS targets are not 'chart features'.

I'm just trying to understand the issue(s). What have I missed?

[sinbad7]

Pavel..
First of all THIS radar plugin does not have any facility to display coordinates of a target via it´s own ranging mechanism. A connected GPS is ESSENTIAL to it´s working condition. AIS is NOT plotted based on bearing/distance from coordinates delivered by a GPS,it is self sufficient and does not need a GPS to be connected.

I would say AIS targets are VERY important to safe navigation as we are otherwise sailing ´blindly´into the night.

Like the ´Radar´feature in ocpn,why not use the coordinates of Own Ship?
In this way it extends the usability of this additional aid to navigation.

Anyway,that´s only MY views,you are free to differ.

Tore

[sailorF54]

Originally Posted by sinbad7

...why not use the coordinates of Own Ship?

Tore

Coordinates of Own ship AT SEA is given by the GPS...

PS other comment on this nice plug-in here
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...iew-82708.html

[sinbad7]

sailorF54...

Just my point,Own Ship´s coordinates are ALWAYS known,your map position when at rest and not connected to GPS and the position given by GPS when connected.
Why limit the feature to dependancy on other equipment when you can have both?

Tore