A $20 Autopilot

[Steelcat]

I have been using a windows computer software autopilot that I found.
It only requires a com port , relay board and GPS to operate.
It reads either $GPRMC or $GPVTG Baud 4800 and compares it to the set point then calculates an output that triggers Serial port DTR Pin 4 (steer to Port) or RTS Pin 7 (Steer to Starboard).
A Relay board is needed to amplify the com port outputs to drive the autopilot Motor
It's tunable with Delays , Gain , Drive Time and PID loop.
I've attached the program zip and manual.
I would like someone with the necessary skills to convert it into an OpenCpn plugin.
The main work needed
1. Decomplile the program (Possibly compiled in Liberty Basic)
2. Allow the use of 38400 Baud (Set to 4800 only)
3. Include activated route to be used as course set point
4. Build as a plugin for easy cross platform use

[rgleason]

I assume you purchased the LGB mk board somewhere. Where?

Why did you post this in the opencpn thread?

If you look up plugins and beta plugins you will see there are 3 autopilot plugins and beta plugins, including two by Sean. It would be best to adapt those because they've been extensively tested.

Additionally, Sean's Pypilot is avaliable and is significantly more advanced than this one I believe.

[Steelcat]

The Relay board is a stock Ebay item like this
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Channe...item4b3e1df0cb

I can repost on OpenCpn forum if you prefer

This is a much simpler autopilot , no RPi or arduino necessary as all the program is on the PC

[Steelcat]

Correct me if I am wrong but the OpenCpn Plugins I could find only controlled a hardware autopilot.
This one is a complete software autopilot that only needs a serial port , switch and relay board as well as an existing drive unit.
This program can be used without OpenCpn but only on a Windows PC

[billknny]

L.G.B mk 4 system takes its direction reference directly from Course Over Ground data as output from most standard gps units which repeat every second

Boy, steering to COG data from a GPS, that is going to steer your boat with all the performance I'd expect from a $20 autopilot...