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tonyappuk · 28-02-2010, 08:17

Dotdun
In my case the com port speed is correctly set to 38400 in device manager and opencpn on winxp does not work with the correct com port (Com5 in my case) set in opencpn. With the same conditions opencpn will see the GPS stream if the AIS input is used with its com port set to com5. If the PC com port was not set to the correct speed it would not work in either case surely. I'm happy because Ican use my plotter but it is strange if opencpn can exhibit these differences. tscher suffered this same problem as indicated in his post yesterday so I don't think it's just me!
Tony

DotDun · 28-02-2010, 09:13

OK, I digress!

I went back to the boat and did some testing. OpenCPN works with the GPS port at 38400 as long as I 'hit' the comport first with NMEAReader (by Actisense).

I played further. With OpenCPN displaying Ship data and GPS port set to com2, I went back to the tools page and tried to monitor the 0183 data, OpenCPN displays garbage. I killed OpenCPN, disconnected the USB/Serial, plugged it back in, started OpenCPN, no Ship data. I started NMEAReader, good data, closed it & started OpenCPN - now I have Ship data. I tried the same using Hyperterminal to 'bump' the comport, no go. I tested sharing the AIS port, worked everytime!

Conclusion: There is some funky problem with OpenCPN and 38400 on the GPS port. Mine works only after I 'bump' the com port with NMEAReader first! I always look for NMEA data prior to starting OpenCPN, hence it has always worked for me. I don't know what state NMEAReader is leaving the comport in that allows OpenCPN to work, but it's obviously something to do with speed.

tonyappuk · 28-02-2010, 09:28

I haven't got NMEAreader but I have used mini-CDU which is supplied with the puck and I'm sure I have tried to use opencpn "normally" directly afterwards with no success so mini-CDU doesn't "bump" like NMEAreader. At least we can all use the program with the solutions offered by other kind souls here so "whatever floats your boat"! Thanks everyone.
Tony

champ8242 · 28-02-2010, 16:05

ÀH, yes.

It doesn't matter 4800 or 38400. I have all my NMEA directed to 1 multiplexer and that outputs all sentences on 38400. OpenCPN reads NMEA at both speeds regardless of the type of NMEA sentence

Bart

windjob · 01-03-2010, 22:12

I have a similar problem. OpenCPN works with my old external GPS, It works with my Navilock but doesn't work with Navibe GM720. I can't get a data stream. But the GM720 works with MaxSea and I see a data stream.

Thanks

Klaus
SY Cruising ueen

tonyappuk · 02-03-2010, 02:22

Windjob
Have you tried it using the AIS input? If it does work that might be useful info for the developers (or even if it doesn't!)
Tony

windjob · 03-03-2010, 01:23

Tony,

I have tried almost everything. Different baudrates, different ComPorts, AIS. Fact is it works with Navilock NL402 U, my old Magellan with Prolific Serial to USB converter, but not with the Navibe 720. But the Navibe works with MaxSea V12. Using the little program GPS Information which comes with the Navilock I can see the dataflow as well. Its one of the miracles I have experienced in the 37 years I worked with computers.

Anyway thanks for the help

Regards

Klaus

tonyappuk · 05-03-2010, 04:18

Just a short further update to my problems with connecting my GPS. I'm fairly certain most of it was finger trouble on my part. I have now managed to get opencpn set up on the correct com port, 5 in my case, (you may remember I previously got it working by using the AIS port). The "secret" is to always leave the setting window using "OK" not "Enter". I've tried this on two machines and it works. Pretty basic I know but many programs assume "Enter" equals "OK" and I should have been more careful. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! I have no reason to assume I couldn't set it up to use either 4800 or 38600 using the "OK" button not"Enter".
Tony

edsailing · 30-04-2010, 11:24

I am running Vista with a ND-100 and can't get the data stream into OpenCPN.

I've tried all the suggestions in the threads above without success. All I get in the data stream is a lot of garbage at infrequent intervals.

Has anyone else got it to work with Vista?

oem · 30-04-2010, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by edsailing

I am running Vista with a ND-100 and can't get the data stream into OpenCPN.

I've tried all the suggestions in the threads above without success. All I get in the data stream is a lot of garbage at infrequent intervals.

Has anyone else got it to work with Vista?

Yes I'm running Vista and also the ND-100 GPS unit. And it works. You have to upgrade the firmware from the company's homepage and I was not able to make it run 38400, but had success running 4800. So that's what I'm doing. I made it work with Polarcom first, and then afterwards with OpenCPN. Also I used the MiniCDU-program, - for testing and setting the baud, supplied with the ND-100, however it had to be upgraded from the company's homepage also. If you receive garbage, it could mean that your speed and parameters in your 'Devices' has not been set according to the GPS unit. Did you set that correctly? Sometimes, typically after timeouts, my ND-100 and my usb mouse conflicts, then I unually have to restart the computer or to pull and plug the GPS unit until it hits the right com-port again.

I cannot remember the link to the company's homepage right now, but I can find it if you do not have it.

edsailing · 01-05-2010, 01:21

OK, I'll try again and report back after the weekend

oem · 01-05-2010, 02:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by edsailing

OK, I'll try again and report back after the weekend

And btw Google Earth is perfect for testing also, you don't even have to specify any com-port, it finds it automatically somehow.

Firmware is on this link:

GlobalSat GPS--å•†å“ä»‹ç´¹

and also various drivers, forums etc. Good luck.

edsailing · 04-05-2010, 06:27

Total failure! (and that's after spending about 5 hours) I can get the ND-100 to work on the MiniCDU program and I can use my garmin Handheld in OPENcpn but whatever settings I use I can't get the ND-100 data into OPENCPN - just a little garbage.

Google Earth can't find the ND-100 either.

Any suggestions?