GPS connected but OPENCPN doesn't see it

[BriRich]

Hi Folks

I've gone through the help list on Opencpn. I've got the BU-353S4 unit and have downloaded its driver and it's working fine. I've added the connection to Opencpn, port etc., but it's not seeing the GPS. Any hints on how to fix this? I've got Windows 8.

Thanks
Brian

[rooiedirk]

Hi Brian,
Some more details please.
What did you do to confirm the GPS is working.
what version of Ocpn are you using?
With the "Show NMEA debug window", what is the output there.
Dirk

[BriRich]

Originally Posted by rooiedirk

Hi Brian,
Some more details please.
What did you do to confirm the GPS is working.
what version of Ocpn are you using?
With the "Show NMEA debug window", what is the output there.
Dirk

Hello Dirk

I am using Opencpn 3.2.2

The GPS is working as it is reading the correct lat lon from the software I downloaded. "GPS Info" Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (Com3). I've set Ocpn to Com 3 and correct baud rate 4800

The NMEA debug window doesn't say anything; it's blank except the legend at the bottom of the window.

At the bottom of the Ocpn window I'm seeing 5 to 6 blue bars which means it is getting the same number of satellite signals as the GPS software??? Although I just disconnected the GPS, closed Ocpn and he same bars are there I'll reboot and see if the bars are there.

Thanks
Brian

[BriRich]

Just rebooted and the same blue and green horizontal bars at the bottom of the Ocpn window so I guess they are not GPS related. In case you can't tell I'm new to Ocpn.

[nohal]

Brian...
1st: Read the manual to avoid confusing the chart bar with GPS signal strength indicator
2nd: Make sure you are not running "GPS Info" and OpenCPN at the same time - It it not possible for 2 programs to connect to the GPS at the same time.
3rd: Are you sure (as in really sure) that your GPS is connected to COM3 at a baudrate of 4800?
4th: If it still won't be resolved, have a look into the logfile (Yes, read the same manual as you did a while ago to find it) and post the part related to your last run, together with a screenshot of your connection settings and other info that might be relevant.

Good luck

Pavel

[BriRich]

Here's the latest log:

12:46:13 PM: EnumerateSerialPorts() Found Garmin USB Driver.
12:49:00 PM: Closing NMEA Datastream Serial:COM3
12:49:00 PM: Stopping Garmin Serial thread
12:49:01 PM: Stopped in 1 sec.
12:49:01 PM: Opening NMEA Datastream Serial:COM3
12:49:03 PM: Closing NMEA Datastream Serial:COM3
12:49:03 PM: Stopping Garmin Serial thread
12:49:04 PM: Stopped in 1 sec.
12:49:04 PM: Opening NMEA Datastream Serial:COM3
1:00:00 PM: LOGBOOK: 2014-06-15 09:00:00 UTC DR Lat 10.20810 Lon 124.44560
1:08:27 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\BRIAN\Desktop\NAVIGATION\Charts\BsB Charts\Philippines\P4218.KAP
1:08:28 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\BRIAN\Desktop\NAVIGATION\Charts\BsB Charts\Philippines\P4715.KAP
1:08:28 PM: Loading World Chart Q=2 in 187 ms.
1:08:28 PM: Background world map loaded from GSHHS datafiles found in: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\gshhs\
1:08:32 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\BRIAN\Desktop\NAVIGATION\Charts\BsB Charts\ChartsGEImages\Philippines\Port Binanga Large.KAP
1:08:52 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\BRIAN\Desktop\NAVIGATION\Charts\BsB Charts\ChartsGE2KAPoverlays\Philippines\LUZON-Mariveles.kap
1:08:54 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\BRIAN\Desktop\NAVIGATION\Charts\BsB Charts\ChartsGEImages\Philippines\Subic Bay.kap
1:21:13 PM: EnumerateSerialPorts() Found Garmin USB Driver.
13:21:37: Error: Cannot set locale to language Arabic (Uae).
1:30:00 PM: LOGBOOK: 2014-06-15 09:30:00 UTC DR Lat 10.20810 Lon 124.44560

And screen shot showing device manager with the Com 3 settings in the foreground and Ocpn in the background. Luckily my wife is helping!!!

[AISEAG]

Originally Posted by BriRich

Here's the latest log:

12:46:13 PM: EnumerateSerialPorts() Found Garmin USB Driver.
....
1:21:13 PM: EnumerateSerialPorts() Found Garmin USB Driver.
13:21:37: Error: Cannot set locale to language Arabic (Uae).
1:30:00 PM: LOGBOOK: 2014-06-15 09:30:00 UTC DR Lat 10.20810 Lon 124.44560

And screen shot showing device manager with the Com 3 settings in the foreground and Ocpn in the background. Luckily my wife is helping!!!

Hi,

May I ask to post a screenshot of OpenCPN "Connection Tab"

Serge

[monte]

the opencpn shows data for COM4. Add COM3 and you should be good to go. note the dongle may change ports when you change USB so always pug it into the same USB port

[BriRich]

Originally Posted by monte

the opencpn shows data for COM4. Add COM3 and you should be good to go. note the dongle may change ports when you change USB so always pug it into the same USB port

The com 4 is from the Ocpn help page not the actual connection. From the Ocpn connection page I'm on com 3.

I'll try to get a screen shot of the connection page but my wife isn't here and she knows how to do it

[BriRich]

Okay I did it here's the screen shot of the connection page

[AISEAG]

Originally Posted by AISEAG

Hi,

May I ask to post a screenshot of OpenCPN "Connection Tab"

Serge

Hmm, Hmm seems to be OK fro O point of view.

Did you check (via GPS info) that the speed is set to the correct speed (4800) and Com port ?, please check again with "GPS info" (close OpenCPN before).

I have never heard anything wrong about BU-353 S4/W8 and O

The response must be in the parameters of the GPS

Serge

[BriRich]

HURRAY

Got it. Not sure why! I changed some of the parameters on Ocpn connections window. I went through the add a connection I unclicked the garmin host and not sure what else but thanks guys it's working now.

Many thanks for your input

Brian

[delcrest]

Originally Posted by AISEAG

Hmm, Hmm seems to be OK fro O point of view.

Did you check (via GPS info) that the speed is set to the correct speed (4800) and Com port ?, please check again with "GPS info" (close OpenCPN before).

I have never heard anything wrong about BU-353 S4/W8 and O

The response must be in the parameters of the GPS

Serge

Hi , just installed the same gps, and having the the same problem, opencpn not seeing the GPS, have checked the com port (com3) set the baud rate to 4800.... Tried the GPS info with O closed and and that works fine, nmea debug window shows zero, any help please would be appreciate , thanks in advance

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by delcrest

Hi , just installed the same gps, and having the the same problem, opencpn not seeing the GPS, have checked the com port (com3) set the baud rate to 4800.... Tried the GPS info with O closed and and that works fine, nmea debug window shows zero, any help please would be appreciate , thanks in advance

Again more info is required.. We need screenshots of device manager showing the Prolific port. Then screenshots of the connection info in OpenCPN..

Even a screenshot of the NMEA debug window would be helpfull.

[delcrest]

Originally Posted by travellerw

Again more info is required.. We need screenshots of device manager showing the Prolific port. Then screenshots of the connection info in OpenCPN..

Even a screenshot of the NMEA debug window would be helpfull.

Thanks for the reply...just trying to figue out how to post a screenshot