Downloading Charts onto Open CPN

[Signalmaster]

Good morning. I recently purchased and downloaded Open CPN. I also purchased some ENCs from Boat Books in Sydney Ausralia. It appears that the charts have been down loaded onto my computer but I think they have not been loadied onto Open CPN. I have tried solving the problem by looking at YouTube clips to no avail. Basically I get to approximately the 10 minute mark in the attached link and that is where I have problems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9M2HqfT_Bc

I have also tried calling the Australian Hydrographic Office who were most helpful but I'm still unable to see any charts on Opn CPN. CAn anyone please explain what I have to do, what I have done wrong or what I have not done so that I make make Open CPN a usable programme. Thank you very much, Brian

[bdbcat]

Signalmaster...

Welcome aboard.

re:
"I recently purchased and downloaded Open CPN."

OpenCPN for the PC is a free download, no need to purchase the main program.

What type of charts did you purchase and download?

Thanks
Dave

[bcn]

The chart sets AHS is offering today are vector charts in S-63 format.

Is this what you are trying to use?

[Signalmaster]

Thank you for your reply.
Yes they are S-63 charts & tha A.H.O. suggested there may be an issue with ebcryption ? I wasted another hour on it yesterday & I am wondering if part of the problem is cell permits that I seem unable to download?
As for free - I paid for 12.5 Euros to Renate Rosner Consult S.L. - the web site I was on asked for payment. It was only 12.5 Euros - nothing. But the time I have wasted is my problem. Thank you very much for your assistance & cheers, Brian

[Signalmaster]

Hello again.

My apologies, I gave you a bum steer. I did not pay for Open CPN, I paid for the permit - showing my ignorance here. I am unable to download cell permits into Open CPN, it comes up with an error message. I just 'phoned A.H.O. again & they said their system would have checked the validity of the permit number & issued the permit based on that. I just triple checked that permit number, it is the number I was given, & I copied & pasted it anyway ? Any thoughts on why this won't work ? Many thanks & cheers, Brian

[bdbcat]

Brian...

What is the error message that you receive?

Dave

[Signalmaster]

This is the error message Dave, thank you.

[bcn]

Signalmaster....

o-charts.org/rr-consult is the outlet of OpenCPN for the S-63 UserPermits.
On the web site there is a step by step manual how to install the different keys and permits required for S-63.

- You have your UserPermit at the Keys and Permit Tab at Options|Charts?
- Next, you did request an InstallPermit at o-charts (your account) for your system and this is place and verified?

The error message is typical for a wrong charts set i.e.a set for a different UserPermit.
I don't know how the structure of the delivery set of AHO/AHS is. In some place there might be the target UserPermit denoted.

As there are quite a lot of users down-under the workflow and compatibility with the AHO/AHS sets are well tested.

In case you can send by mail the Permit.txt file plus the other included data from AHO/AHS to info at o-charts.org for a closer look

Hubert

[Signalmaster]

Many thanks for your reply Hubert.
Please see belklow in the body of your post.

o-charts.org/rr-consult is the outlet of OpenCPN for the S-63 UserPermits.
On the web site there is a step by step manual how to install the different keys and permits required for S-63.
I've followed the manual & also a YouTube clip - I fail when it comes to downloading charts & downloading cell permits.

- You have your UserPermit at the Keys and Permit Tab at Options|Charts?
Yes, that appears fine ? Please see attached.
- Next, you did request an InstallPermit at o-charts (your account) for your system and this is place and verified?
No ! Please see attached. Is this where I have gone wrong ?

The error message is typical for a wrong charts set i.e.a set for a different UserPermit.
I don't know how the structure of the delivery set of AHO/AHS is. In some place there might be the target UserPermit denoted.

As there are quite a lot of users down-under the workflow and compatibility with the AHO/AHS sets are well tested.
I spoke to a retailer about turning my laptop into a GPS/Plotter as a backup for a delivery trip I'll be doing in the next few weeks. He could sell me an expensive set up that sounded like it was all but a certified ECDIS but mentioned local coastguards use Open CPN. I'll have paper charts & the boat has a GPS/Plotter so I just wan't a backup. I'm sure it can be made to work & the problem is me !

In case you can send by mail the Permit.txt file plus the other included data from AHO/AHS to info at o-charts.org for a closer look
Please see attached.

I hope I've attached all you need to help Hubert & thank you very much for your assistance.

Hubert

[bdbcat]

Brian...

The trouble is with the InstallPermit. You do not have one, yet.

Refer to the instructions on o-charts.org.

You must create a system fingerprint file, upload that fingerprint file (FPR) to o-charts.org, and then receive a valid InstallPermit by the o-charts website.

Dave

[Signalmaster]

Many thanks for your reply Dave.

I've found the relevant section of the instruction anual, but unfortunately the "preferences" button is not active - clicking on it achieves nothing. Please see attached.

Any suggestions ?

Many thanks again, Brian

[bcn]

Brian,

the fingerprint for oeSENC charts are created at plug-in/preferences.

This is not the case for S-63.
Here you go to the Charts7S-63 tab, Keys&Permits where you will find the button "create System Identifier file".
And please make sure that you are looking at the S-63 manual, not the oeSENC one.

Hubert

[CarCode]

...but you have to admit OpenCPN is not very user friendly. For the average user it is horrible.

Gerhard

[bcn]

Room for improvements - sure.
Look at the oeSENC plug-in for the Android App.
This is the path for further development and improvements of the S-63 and oeSENC plug-ins for the desktop/rasPi systems. Requires being online.

There are limits though when going for "not always connected" scenarios.
And the enabled-for-offline premise we will maintain as an option for sure.
Then you need to allow for manual and asyncronical creation of the system identifier files, the Permits and keys, and the charts. Manual steps for the user. His rhythm.
Plus the S-63 standard is (almost) supposing people running around with floppy disks still. Not designed by anybody involved here.

Same as for other systems on a boat it does not hurt to understand what one is dealing with - just in case. At least the main concepts and components.
I have to admit though that I like manuals and to be able to follow the logic of the systems I'm dealing with.

Hubert

[Signalmaster]

Thank you for your replies Hubert.

I still can't import cell permits or download charts after creating the fingerpring file. etc.

Any suggestion much appreciated ... this is becoming way too complicated for me ?

Cheers, Brian