GPS Dropping Out

[CarCode]

Dave,

since a stopping GPS signal is essential to the user why not use the watchdog to popup a warning message to the user when it happens?

Bart,

do you invent the wheel a second time with your serial app?
There is Portmon already from Microsoft Technet: Portmon for Windows

Gerhard

[champ8242]

Gerhard,

Not inventing the wheel for the n-th time. just a few lines of code as -console app- without any other nice to have windows things like buttons, and boxes around.

Bart

[CarCode]

OK, OK, I wanted to help only...
Gerhard

[HotRod]

Originally Posted by djmarchand

So, one the question remains, how to quickly restore GPS functionality to OPNCpn if power is cut off to the GPS, you unplug it or whatever without rebooting the whole computer.

David

Right click "My Computer" or "Computer"
Select "Manage"
Select "Device Manager"
Select "Ports"
Locate the "GPS port"
Right click that port and disable, then enable it again.

This should bring the port online again.

In win7 you should have a look at:
"Control Panel\System and Security\Power Options"
Edit the profile you use, and locate "advanced power settings".
Locate "USB selective suspend setting" and disable this feature.
Another is to prevent the comuter from "sleep mode" or "Hibernate", look under sleep and deactivate all sleep/hibernate features you can find...

Finaly, if this is a laptop, change the "Power buttons and lid" Set powerbutton to "shut down" or "do nothing". Closing lid should be set to "Do nothing".

Hope this works for you.
It has worked on 100-200 computers I have sold as chartplotters (not with OpenCPN, but pro solutions).

[CarCode]

Sorry for saying that an Operating System (OS) which shut off a port seeing still on-going data transfer is absolutely ********. Think about a switching off keyboard or monitor while typing or most worst a switching off harddrive while still data is writing to the drive. The harddrive might be damaged then.
No OS should do that!!!

Gerhard

[djmarchand]

HotRod:

Some success, mostly failure.

I set the advanced power management as you recommended to disable the USB selective suspend setting. It worked and it is sticky, ie it survives a reboot whereas setting the USB port in Device Manager is not sticky.

The bad news is that it didn't work. The GPS dropped out after 1+ hours of use.

And right clicking on the port and then clicking to disable and then enable it probably works, but it requires two reboots to put it into effect. A reboot always restores the gps anyway.

And CarCode, I agree, IF it is the OS and not the application at fault here.

David

[champ8242]

I had the system running for 7 or 8 hours before the serial (USB) stopped.
With the NMEADebug on i didnt get more info although....

4:41:17 PM: MEH.NMEA Sentence received...$GPRMC,154114.000,A,5232.1199,N,00526.7 863,E,1.64,53.84,031210,,,A*5F


4:41:17 PM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
4:41:17 PM: NMEA activity...20 bytes
4:41:17 PM: Buffer is: 54115.000,5232.1202,
4:41:17 PM: NMEA activity...20 bytes
4:41:17 PM: Buffer is: N,00526.7869,E,1,05,
4:41:17 PM: NMEA activity...20 bytes
4:41:17 PM: Buffer is: 2.9,-2.7,M,46.9,M,,0
4:41:17 PM: NMEA activity...20 bytes
4:41:17 PM: Buffer is: 000*72

$GPGSA,A,3,1
4:41:17 PM: NMEA Sentence received...$GPGGA,154115.000,5232.1202,N,00526.786 9,E,1,05,2.9,-2.7,M,46.9,M,,0000*72


4:41:17 PM: MEH.NMEA Sentence received...$GPGGA,154115.000,5232.1202,N,00526.786 9,E,1,05,2.9,-2.7,M,46.9,M,,0000*72


4:41:17 PM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
4:41:17 PM: NMEA activity...20 bytes
4:41:17 PM: Buffer is: 9,11,20,32,17,,,,,,,
4:41:17 PM: NMEA activity...20 bytes
4:41:17 PM: Buffer is: ,3.4,2.9,1.9*3B

$GP
4:41:18 PM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
4:41:18 PM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
4:41:19 PM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
4:41:19 PM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
4:41:20 PM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
4:41:20 PM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
......
12:11:27 AM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
12:11:28 AM: PostProcess NMEA with valid position
12:11:34 AM: ***GPS Watchdog timeout...
12:11:39 AM: ***SAT Watchdog timeout...
12:30:00 AM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-03 23:30:00 UTC DR Lat 52.53519 Lon 5.44622


So the Wachdog timer is functioning. I am running one other test today and will reporting those results tomorrow.

"Locate "USB selective suspend setting" and disable this feature."
I disabled this months ago so is of no influence.

It looks like it's the Prolific driver

Bart

[ChuckSK]

Originally Posted by djmarchand

Dave:

Thanks for your interest in resolving this problem. This is the driver I am using:

Prolific USB to serial port comm driver (com5)
Date 11/19/2009
Version 3.310.140

I clicked on update driver and it told me that I have the most current driver.

What is puzzling is that after the GPS freezes in OpnCPN if I close it and then run GPSInfo, the GPS data is always there and active. So something causes the GPS to drop out in OpnCPN and then it stays out.

David

The latest driver is:
Date 3/12/2010
Version 3.3.11.152

Welcome to Prolific

Chuck

[HotRod]

Have you tried logging the GPS sentences with Hyper-terminal or something like that? See, try logging for a while, it should be a constant stream or in burst like say 5-10 sentences together, depending on the type of gps.

I would also look for driver compatibility, I have experienced many glitches with those small haicom or similar gps'es - some are ok, but for marine use they are crap.. Stick to stationary gps on a boat... e.g. Furuno GP32 or newer...

I will recommend ATEN UC-232a USB to serial with a Actisense opto-coupler for safety and electrical noise reasons. The last one have saved quite a few computers and nav instruments.

[djmarchand]

Chuck:

I downloaded the latest driver (even though Windows told me I had the latest) and yes it is 3/12/2010, ver 3.3.11.152..

So OpnCPN is now running with the new driver. I will report in a few hours what happens.

David

[djmarchand]

No good. The GPS dropped out after 30 minutes with the new driver.

Just for fun, I am going to run GPSInfo for and extended period to see what happens.

David

[HotRod]

Instead of running GPSinfo, try running hyperterminal or something like that wich keeps it clean...
Only that way you will see if the gps is working correctly, if that fails, well then you have a problem with the serial-usb controller or it's driver or the gps itself.

If the string is jerky, unregular batches of strings - you will know you have a problem, but if it's a even regular stream even with small regular pauses (usually 1-2 seconds) it should be ok, but then it got to be something else, program or maybe a buffer in the driver...

I don't think I have any more suggestions for you m8te.
- Trash the gps and get a decent one...

[fgd3]

I had a chance to test OpenCPN with my GPS this evening. I'm running Windows Vista with 2.2.1124. The GPS is a BU-353 connected to a USB port which is mapped to Com 14.

When I started OpenCPN at 18:03:35 2010-12-04 it couldn't open Com 14. I shut down OpenCPN, looked at Device Manager to be sure Com 14 was active, and restarted OpenCPN at 18:04:47 2010-12-04. This time it found the GPS signal and I was good to go. (It frequently happens that I try to start OpenCPN before the GPS and Com 14 have had time to settle down.)

I imported a previously saved .gpx route, activated it, and followed it to its end. When I reversed the route I lost the GPS signal. I started GPSInfo. When I tried to start the GPS on Com 14 GPSInfo reported "Com port error." I had GPSInfo scan the com ports and it reported "No device" on every one.

I exited GPSInfo and OpenCPN, unplugged the GPS, waited a couple of seconds, plugged the GPS back into the USB port, and scanned the com ports. It found "GPS receiver" on Com 14.

I exited GPSInfo and started OpenCPN. I had a good GPS signal. I followed my route home and reversed the route again without losing the GPS signal.

The log file follows. I didn't find anything helpful in it but perhaps you will.

18:03:35:


18:03:35: 2010-12-04
18:03:35: -------Starting opencpn-------
18:03:35: Version 2.2.1124 Build 2010-11-24
18:03:35: SData_Locn is C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\
18:03:35: Using existing Config_File: C:\ProgramData\opencpn\opencpn.ini
18:03:35: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 27.741, -82.6346
18:03:35: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 27.742, -82.6382
18:03:35: System default Language: en_US
6:03:35 PM: Opencpn language set to: en_US
6:03:35 PM: looking for catalog 'opencpn' in path 'C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US.WINDOWS-1252\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US.WINDOWS-1252;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en_US.WINDOWS-1252;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en_US;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en'.
6:03:35 PM: catalog file for domain 'opencpn' not found.
6:03:36 PM: Using s57data in C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\s57data
6:03:36 PM: Using Tide/Current data from: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\tcdata\
6:03:36 PM: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 27.741, -82.6346
6:03:36 PM: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 27.742, -82.6382
6:03:36 PM: NMEA Data Source is....Serial:COM14
6:03:39 PM: AIS Data Source is....None
6:03:39 PM: Using WVSChart datafile: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\wvsdata\wvs43.dat
6:03:39 PM: NMEA AutoPilot Port is....None
6:03:39 PM: PlugInManager searching for PlugIns in location C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins
6:03:39 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:03:39 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:03:40 PM: Loading chart db version: V016
6:03:40 PM: Chartdb: Chart directory list follows
6:03:40 PM: Chart directory #0: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs
6:03:40 PM: Chart directory #1: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs
6:03:40 PM: Chart directory #2: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\USACE IENCs
6:03:40 PM: Chart directory #3: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\USACE IENCs 2.1
6:03:41 PM: GPS Watchdog Timeout is: 6 sec.
6:03:41 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs\11416_1.KAP
6:03:44 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs\11412_1.KAP
6:04:05 PM: PlugInManager: Deactivating PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:04:05 PM: PlugInManager: Deactivating PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:04:05 PM: opencpn::MyFrame exiting cleanly.
6:04:05 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:04:05 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:04:05 PM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-04 23:04:05 UTC OFF: Lat 27.74200 Lon -82.63820
6:04:05 PM: opencpn::MyApp exiting cleanly...

18:04:47:


18:04:47: 2010-12-04
18:04:47: -------Starting opencpn-------
18:04:47: Version 2.2.1124 Build 2010-11-24
18:04:47: SData_Locn is C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\
18:04:47: Using existing Config_File: C:\ProgramData\opencpn\opencpn.ini
18:04:47: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 27.741, -82.6346
18:04:47: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 27.742, -82.6382
18:04:47: System default Language: en_US
6:04:47 PM: Opencpn language set to: en_US
6:04:47 PM: looking for catalog 'opencpn' in path 'C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US.WINDOWS-1252\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US.WINDOWS-1252;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en_US.WINDOWS-1252;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en_US;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en'.
6:04:47 PM: catalog file for domain 'opencpn' not found.
6:04:47 PM: Using s57data in C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\s57data
6:04:47 PM: Using Tide/Current data from: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\tcdata\
6:04:47 PM: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 27.741, -82.6346
6:04:47 PM: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 27.742, -82.6382
6:04:47 PM: NMEA Data Source is....Serial:COM14
6:04:48 PM: AIS Data Source is....None
6:04:48 PM: Using WVSChart datafile: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\wvsdata\wvs43.dat
6:04:48 PM: NMEA AutoPilot Port is....None
6:04:48 PM: PlugInManager searching for PlugIns in location C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins
6:04:48 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:04:48 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:04:48 PM: Loading chart db version: V016
6:04:48 PM: Chartdb: Chart directory list follows
6:04:48 PM: Chart directory #0: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs
6:04:48 PM: Chart directory #1: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs
6:04:48 PM: Chart directory #2: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\USACE IENCs
6:04:48 PM: Chart directory #3: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\USACE IENCs 2.1
6:04:48 PM: OpenPD: 316, new_count = 1 for COM14
6:04:49 PM: GPS Watchdog Timeout is: 6 sec.
6:04:49 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs\11416_1.KAP
6:04:59 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs\US5FL11M.000
6:04:59 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs\US5FL11M.000
6:05:48 PM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-04 23:05:48 UTC GPS Lat 27.74175 Lon -82.63774 COG 112.70000 SOG 0.07
6:30:00 PM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-04 23:30:00 UTC GPS Lat 27.74951 Lon -82.61654 COG 14.89000 SOG 5.17
6:34:22 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs\1114A_1.KAP
6:34:25 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs\11013_1.KAP
6:34:35 PM: PlugInManager: Deactivating PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:34:35 PM: PlugInManager: Deactivating PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:34:35 PM: opencpn::MyFrame exiting cleanly.
6:34:35 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:34:35 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:34:35 PM: ClosePD: 316, count_after_close = 0 for COM14
6:34:35 PM: and so CloseComPortPhysical
6:34:36 PM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-04 23:34:36 UTC OFF: Lat 27.75058 Lon -82.61465
6:34:36 PM: opencpn::MyApp exiting cleanly...

18:34:39:


18:34:39: 2010-12-04
18:34:39: -------Starting opencpn-------
18:34:39: Version 2.2.1124 Build 2010-11-24
18:34:39: SData_Locn is C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\
18:34:39: Using existing Config_File: C:\ProgramData\opencpn\opencpn.ini
18:34:39: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 27.7387, -82.6136
18:34:39: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 27.7506, -82.6146
18:34:39: System default Language: en_US
6:34:39 PM: Opencpn language set to: en_US
6:34:39 PM: looking for catalog 'opencpn' in path 'C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US.WINDOWS-1252\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US.WINDOWS-1252;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en_US.WINDOWS-1252;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en_US;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en'.
6:34:39 PM: catalog file for domain 'opencpn' not found.
6:34:39 PM: Using s57data in C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\s57data
6:34:39 PM: Using Tide/Current data from: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\tcdata\
6:34:39 PM: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 27.7387, -82.6136
6:34:39 PM: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 27.7506, -82.6146
6:34:39 PM: NMEA Data Source is....Serial:COM14
6:34:39 PM: AIS Data Source is....None
6:34:39 PM: Using WVSChart datafile: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\wvsdata\wvs43.dat
6:34:39 PM: NMEA AutoPilot Port is....None
6:34:40 PM: PlugInManager searching for PlugIns in location C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins
6:34:40 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:34:40 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:34:40 PM: Loading chart db version: V016
6:34:40 PM: Chartdb: Chart directory list follows
6:34:40 PM: Chart directory #0: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs
6:34:40 PM: Chart directory #1: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs
6:34:40 PM: Chart directory #2: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\USACE IENCs
6:34:40 PM: Chart directory #3: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\USACE IENCs 2.1
6:34:41 PM: GPS Watchdog Timeout is: 6 sec.
6:34:41 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs\11416_1.KAP
6:34:41 PM: NMEA input device open failed: COM14...GetLastError(): 995
6:34:50 PM: PlugInManager: Deactivating PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:34:50 PM: PlugInManager: Deactivating PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:34:50 PM: opencpn::MyFrame exiting cleanly.
6:34:50 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:34:50 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:34:51 PM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-04 23:34:51 UTC OFF: Lat 27.75060 Lon -82.61460
6:34:51 PM: opencpn::MyApp exiting cleanly...

18:35:27:


18:35:27: 2010-12-04
18:35:27: -------Starting opencpn-------
18:35:27: Version 2.2.1124 Build 2010-11-24
18:35:27: SData_Locn is C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\
18:35:27: Using existing Config_File: C:\ProgramData\opencpn\opencpn.ini
18:35:28: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 27.7506, -82.6146
18:35:28: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 27.7506, -82.6146
18:35:28: System default Language: en_US
6:35:28 PM: Opencpn language set to: en_US
6:35:28 PM: looking for catalog 'opencpn' in path 'C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US.WINDOWS-1252\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US.WINDOWS-1252;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en_US.WINDOWS-1252;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en_US;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en_US;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en\LC_MESSAGES;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\share/locale\en;C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\en'.
6:35:28 PM: catalog file for domain 'opencpn' not found.
6:35:28 PM: Using s57data in C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\s57data
6:35:28 PM: Using Tide/Current data from: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\tcdata\
6:35:28 PM: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 27.7506, -82.6146
6:35:28 PM: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 27.7506, -82.6146
6:35:28 PM: NMEA Data Source is....Serial:COM14
6:35:28 PM: AIS Data Source is....None
6:35:28 PM: Using WVSChart datafile: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\wvsdata\wvs43.dat
6:35:28 PM: NMEA AutoPilot Port is....None
6:35:28 PM: PlugInManager searching for PlugIns in location C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins
6:35:28 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
6:35:28 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
6:35:28 PM: Loading chart db version: V016
6:35:28 PM: Chartdb: Chart directory list follows
6:35:28 PM: Chart directory #0: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs
6:35:28 PM: Chart directory #1: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs
6:35:28 PM: Chart directory #2: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\USACE IENCs
6:35:28 PM: Chart directory #3: C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\USACE IENCs 2.1
6:35:28 PM: OpenPD: 324, new_count = 1 for COM14
6:35:29 PM: GPS Watchdog Timeout is: 6 sec.
6:35:29 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs\11416_1.KAP
6:36:28 PM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-04 23:36:28 UTC GPS Lat 27.74681 Lon -82.61426 COG 174.97000 SOG 5.10
6:37:44 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs\US5FL11M.000
6:37:45 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs\US5FL11M.000
6:37:46 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs\US5FL11M.000
7:00:00 PM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-05 00:00:00 UTC GPS Lat 27.74171 Lon -82.63774 COG 51.07000 SOG 0.23
7:09:19 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA ENCs\US3GC07M.000
7:10:44 PM: Initializing Chart C:\Users\Fabe\Desktop\Navigation\NOAA RNCs\11415_1.KAP
7:11:00 PM: PlugInManager: Deactivating PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
7:11:00 PM: PlugInManager: Deactivating PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
7:11:00 PM: opencpn::MyFrame exiting cleanly.
7:11:00 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
7:11:00 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
7:11:00 PM: ClosePD: 324, count_after_close = 0 for COM14
7:11:00 PM: and so CloseComPortPhysical
7:11:01 PM: LOGBOOK: 2010-12-05 00:11:01 UTC OFF: Lat 27.74172 Lon -82.63779 COG 33.52000 SOG 0.15
7:11:01 PM: opencpn::MyApp exiting cleanly...

Fabbian

[djmarchand]

HotRod et al:

GPSInfo has been up and running continuously for three hours. I have downloaded and am now running hyperterminal. I'll report back if and when it fails.

But, USglobalsat has probably sold about a million of these hockey puck gps. Can they all be junk?

What is a good gps?

David

[fgd3]

I tried a little experiment. With OpenCPN running and getting a good GPS signal, I unplugged the BU-353. After a couple of seconds the ownship icon turned gray. I plugged the BU-353 back in and waited. The ownship icon remained gray. Device Manager reported Com 14 was working properly. GPSInfo allowed me to start the GPS on Com 14 and immediately showed a stream of NMEA sentences. OpenCPN, meanwhile, still was not getting a GPS signal. I shut OpenCPN down and immediately restarted it and it once again got a good GPS signal.

What seems to be needed is some way to tell OpenCPN to look again for a GPS signal.

Fabbian