How to use OpenCPN on a tablet windows 8

[Giramondo]

I'm a lucky guy who has a new Dell latitude 10 tablet with Windows 8 full version. As a build in GPS sensor is available I've installed the OpenCPN latest release. The software is running but I cannot select/enter the GPS in the settings.

So no navigation is possible.....

I know that this release is not created for Windows 8, but can somebody bring up a solution?

[ChristianneCS]

Hello, perhaps that will work. Go in the Settings of your tablet to try to find what port is dedicated to your GPS (even a virtual one). When found, go to OpenPC, click on ''tools'', click on ''GPS'' in ''NMEA OPTIONS'' under (grey box) ''NMEA DATA SOURCE'' choose the right port (example : mine is on Com 3) and by default the ''NMEA Baud rate'' is 4800.

I don't have windows 8 but under windows 7 it worked pretty well that way.

here the link for the Help of OpenPC : http://file:///C:/Program%20Files%20...elp_en_US.html

Good luck

[Giramondo]

Hello ChristianneCS,

Thanks for your quick reply. Probaply that's a difference between w7 & 8. In my configuration there is no com port mentioned. cannot find a virtual port as well.

[AISEAG]

Giramondo,

My O present configuration ( O 3.2 ; W8 ; Plugged (comm3) GPS ) is running well.

As suggested by ChristanneCS, you need to find where (how) your build-in GPS is managed and therefore hopefully by following ChristianneCS's instruction every should be OK.

Serge

[nohal]

Giramodo...
The only solution currently could be to get drivers from Dell, that produce NMEA over a virtual serial port, if they are available at all. Windows 8 unfortunately took what begun with W7 to the extreme and in most cases the integrated GPS receivers just support the Windows Sensor API...
Writing a plugin that uses this API and produces NMEA sentences OpenCPN could use is doable and actually on my list. But not having any real Windows machine anymore, it's at the end of it...

Pavel

[ChristianneCS]

Hello again Giramondo,
I have Androïd on my tablet so the following step by step that maybe will be useful for you, is the one from my laptop with Windows7.

Go to your ''help and support'', search for ''devices manager'' and ''click to open devices manager''. You will see a new window. In this window, in the alphabetic list search for ''Ports'' (Com & Lpt). Click on the small arrow in front of it. You will see all the devices and wich com is dedicated to your gps.

I'm French and far better to write in my native language. I hope that you will be understand the process with my sometimes ''weird'' English. Good luck

[klubko]

Hi,
I've written a small application that enables windows 8 tablets (or notebooks with GNSS sensor) to use OpenCPN. It's quick and dirty, a work of couple of hours only, but seems to work.
It's been tested inside of a fiberglass boat and the GNSS sensor seems to be able to pick up the signal quite well. Hasn't been tested at sea yet.
See the details here: https://bitbucket.org/petrsimon/geol...ntcp/wiki/Home
Petr

[rgleason]

Petr,
Thank you very much. This will be a big help to others. Is the code available, it might be very useful to the programmers.

[klubko]

Hello,
my pleasure.
Yes the code is available at the bitbucket repo, viz the link above.
Cheers
Petr

[Matt Johnson]

Petr,

Not sure if you saw my response on Sailnet, but I wasn't able to get this to work on my Dell Latitude 10. I ran the 12kb app and it opened a command box which said "press any key to close". I then ran Opencpn and setup a network connection with the address given. Do you need to check any boxes after you click into network connection? I also tried running the 1kb config file, but wasn't able to see how I could get into the "directory" within the app. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Matt

[klubko]

Matt,
sorry haven't seen the sailnet reply, for some reason I don't receive emails from sailnet, and haven't looked there yet, because sailnet takes quite long for me to load on a slow connection here in Malaysia.
The program needs to be improved in many ways. Right now it waits for a connection from OpenCPN and then starts to send messages. Once connected, it should start printing "Sent NMEA sentence $GPRMC XXXXXXX". If that doesn't happen perhaps OpenCPN did not connect. Check that the settings in OpenCPN are correct, as I'm sure you did. Also have tried the GPS Satellite application to verify that the GNSS sensor works? You'll find it in the Store.
I'll soon make a nicer more user friendly interface what will make it easier to look for problems. Please watch the bitbucket repo for changes.

[klubko]

Matt, and you don't need to check anything, just press Apply or OK, once you filled all settings.
Petr

[klubko]

I've updated the program. It now has a simple user interface that tells you what's happening. The location updates are usually quite irregular, typically only once in a minute or so. Will look into that later.
Please download: https://bitbucket.org/petrsimon/geol...tionTCP-r4.exe

[rgleason]

Petr, Would you mind describing
1. What the program does?
2. What OS/Hardward/Conditions are required?
3. Installation and startup instructions as they are now.
4. Opencpn connection setup instructions.
I am thinking of listing it in the Opencpn Manual.
Thanks.

[klubko]

rgleason, not at all
1. The sole purpose of this program is to fill a gap for Windows 8 users unable to use OpenCPN with the internal GNSS sensor. The program creates a server which serves NMEA location information based on the status of GNSS sensor.
2. Windows 8 with GNSS sensor.
3. see https://bitbucket.org/petrsimon/geol...ntcp/wiki/Home
4. see https://bitbucket.org/petrsimon/geol...ntcp/wiki/Home
Petr