NMEA error in CMAP

[frits40]

Hi,
I have CMap CM93 and recently I bought a GPS for my laptop. Got it all installed but when the GPS program is started the COM port is not visible in CMap anymore (it was visible before the gps was started) and because of that CMAP is giving an NMEA error.
So CMAP is working well when GPS is off. But I need GPS for position.

Does anyone know what causes the problem and how I could solve it?

Thanks a lot,

Frits

[ausieman]

Hi Frits and welcome,
Try a google search for a program called Fransons GpsGate. This program available for a small fee will give you as many virtual com ports as you are ever likely to need in both NMEA and GARMIN protocol.

[richardhula]

Originally Posted by frits40

Hi,
I have CMap CM93 and recently I bought a GPS for my laptop. Got it all installed but when the GPS program is started the COM port is not visible in CMap anymore (it was visible before the gps was started) and because of that CMAP is giving an NMEA error.
So CMAP is working well when GPS is off. But I need GPS for position.

Does anyone know what causes the problem and how I could solve it?

Thanks a lot,

Frits

Hi Frits - maybe a bit more background info. What OS are you using? What model GPS? How does the GPS get it's data to your laptop? What COM port are you trying to use - built in, USB derived or virtual?

Certainly Franson GpsGate will give you plenty of flexibilty in distributing your GPS data (I use it myself), but you may not need it.

[Pblais]

Under Microsoft Windows you need to disconnect the GPS if connected via serial cable before you boot the machine. Then after booting connect the GPS and then power it on. if you don't the boot sequnce will detect the GPS and convince itslef that it's a mouse. Devices can not share a serial port so the first thing to grab it owns it. It won't do this if you wait. It's the source of most problems with connection. The last part are comunications options. 8 data bits, one stop bit and no parity at 4800. You may need to configure the GPS as well, but this is standard NMEA.

[scotte]

Here's the link to Microsoft's attempt to fix the NMEA-as-mouse bug which has been around for 8 years or so (sheesh): Overview of the COMDisable Tool

[David M]

That's funny Paul, because I thought I was the only one who had to boot up the computer first, for using Nobeltec, before turning on the GPS. At first that used to frustrate the hell out of me before I figured out the pattern.

[frits40]

Originally Posted by richardhula

Hi Frits - maybe a bit more background info. What OS are you using? What model GPS? How does the GPS get it's data to your laptop? What COM port are you trying to use - built in, USB derived or virtual?

Certainly Franson GpsGate will give you plenty of flexibilty in distributing your GPS data (I use it myself), but you may not need it.

OS is Windows XP SP3
GPS with USB Amaryllo, software is called Locosys GPSFox

Tried to use 3 or 7, given are 3,4,5 and 7 but 4 and 5 do not work with GPSFox program. If I use eather 3 or 7, Cmap will not see the com port anymore when GPS is active. So I can never connect to the proper port.

Would be nice if you know an answer. Thanks for the effort so far!
Frits

[richardhula]

Originally Posted by frits40

OS is Windows XP SP3
GPS with USB Amaryllo, software is called Locosys GPSFox

Tried to use 3 or 7, given are 3,4,5 and 7 but 4 and 5 do not work with GPSFox program. If I use eather 3 or 7, Cmap will not see the com port anymore when GPS is active. So I can never connect to the proper port.

Would be nice if you know an answer. Thanks for the effort so far!
Frits

Ok Frits, have checked on the Internet & your USB GPS does provide NMEA. The GPSFox program I couldn't deciper info on as their website is in Austrian. I think that application may be your problem though. I'm guessing it's grabbing the COM port with the GPS feed & stopping C-MAP from using it.

My advice:
Plug in GPS
Got to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager
Double click "Ports (COM & LPT)" entry
Identify your GPS device in the list & note COM port it's using.
Run C-MAP (without GPSFox) & configure it to use COM port you have found above. You may have to change port speed from the default 4800 baud to match that of GPS but otherwise that should work.

Let me know the results.

[hellosailor]

Even simpler, you add the 'NOSERIALMICE' option to the BOOT.INI code and recent versions of Windows won't look for a serial mouse. One fast edit, no other fuss. Quick simple OLD fix.

[frits40]

Originally Posted by richardhula

Ok Frits, have checked on the Internet & your USB GPS does provide NMEA. The GPSFox program I couldn't deciper info on as their website is in Austrian. I think that application may be your problem though. I'm guessing it's grabbing the COM port with the GPS feed & stopping C-MAP from using it.

My advice:
Plug in GPS
Got to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager
Double click "Ports (COM & LPT)" entry
Identify your GPS device in the list & note COM port it's using.
Run C-MAP (without GPSFox) & configure it to use COM port you have found above. You may have to change port speed from the default 4800 baud to match that of GPS but otherwise that should work.

Let me know the results.

Thanks, very helpfull info! I finally understand some things now. However I still don't get it to work. I have de gps at com 7, i think it is not working because the default is 4800 baud and it should be 9600 for this gps. I can't find in C-Map were to change speed.
Do you have an idear about that?
Thanks again.

(sorry for bad language maybe, not native but dutch, you probable understood that allready)

[richardhula]

Originally Posted by frits40

Thanks, very helpfull info! I finally understand some things now. However I still don't get it to work. I have de gps at com 7, i think it is not working because the default is 4800 baud and it should be 9600 for this gps. I can't find in C-Map were to change speed.
Do you have an idear about that?
Thanks again.

(sorry for bad language maybe, not native but dutch, you probable understood that allready)

I think you may have a problem with the very old C-MAP software. It's probably hard coded to the old default of 4800 baud but without a copy I can't say.

If possible use a newer chart plotter such as SeaClear GPS Navigation Software which is free & works with a variety of charts.

As a last resort maybe you could configure your GPS to send at 4800 baud. Check with the manufacturer.

Regards

[frits40]

Originally Posted by richardhula

I think you may have a problem with the very old C-MAP software. It's probably hard coded to the old default of 4800 baud but without a copy I can't say.

If possible use a newer chart plotter such as SeaClear GPS Navigation Software which is free & works with a variety of charts.

As a last resort maybe you could configure your GPS to send at 4800 baud. Check with the manufacturer.

Regards

Hello Richard,

Thanks a lot!
I think I am going to try SeaClear. It looks interesting!
I tried the GPS to send at 4800 baud but I think it's to new for that ;-)

Regards, Frits

[donradcliffe]

Go into the CMAPECS folder, find the NMEA file of type configuration settings, and open it (should open with notepad).

Look for

[CHANNELS]
IN0=COM4: baud=4800 parity=N data=8 stop=1
[TALKERS]
GP0=NA,P|1,RMC

Change the com port number and baud rate as necessary and resave it, then open CMAP again.