new user

[jmt021347]

I'm setting up for first time. I connected a bluetooth gps and the boxes across the bottom of OpenCPN screen appeared and my location in Long/Latt appeared correctly, but the GPS symbol in upper right corner remains red and I can't get my boat to appear on the chart. If I'm connected to the gps as evidenced by the correct long/latt why can't I start using the program? I've tried F2 to allow tracking but still don't know what to do next. Thanks for any help.

[Greg Brannon]

Welcome.

You missed the OpenCPN sub-forum. You can select the exclamation sign on your post and ask a mod to move it. Best of luck with your problem.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, jmt.

[jmt021347]

I've made a really dumb first-timer mistake. I don't know why the strip across the bottom of the screen just appeared when trying to set up GPS, but the Long/latt displayed did NOT mean the GPS was working with OpenCPN. It displays the location of the cursor which just happened to be my at current location. A foolish confusion on my part. I still have to continue working on connecting the GPS, but I did find out about the Open CPN sub-forum [thanks Greg]. Some oood there. Sorry to have wasted other readers time with my stupidity, I'll try to be more cautious in the future.

[Greg Brannon]

No worries, glad you're figuring it out. Any time wasted here is voluntarily donated, so don't fret about it. Ask for help when needed.

[rgleason]

See Getting Started
and GPS setup and GPS Status
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...etting_started

https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...rted:gps_setup


Getting Around
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...getting_around

Toolbar Buttons
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...oolbar_buttons

Also look at Charts
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do..._manual:charts

and Options
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...ptions_setting

FAQ can be useful
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...ser_manual:faq