New User Help With GPS

[Rusty10]

Hi


I am just configuring a HP Stream 8 Tablet for use with OpenCPN.


Before I go ahead and purchase charts I was hoping to be able to test and confirm I have a valid location.


I have installed GPSComplete which as I understand will enable GNSS SIM location data to interact with the software?


When launching OpenCPN the target marker seems to be in The Gulf of Guinea!


Any help or advice appreciated.


TIA


Rusty

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Rusty.

[nohal]

Originally Posted by Rusty10

Hi


I am just configuring a HP Stream 8 Tablet for use with OpenCPN.


Before I go ahead and purchase charts I was hoping to be able to test and confirm I have a valid location.


I have installed GPSComplete which as I understand will enable GNSS SIM location data to interact with the software?


When launching OpenCPN the target marker seems to be in The Gulf of Guinea!


Any help or advice appreciated.


TIA


Rusty

You need to configure the GPS connection in Toolbox -> Connections.

The target at the default position 0N 0E means you have no GPS data coming in.

Never seen GPSComplete before but from some screenshot I found on the web it might be doing what you need (Emit NMEA 0183 on a virtual COM port) in case all that tablet has by default is some Windows position sensor.

[thomm225]

I'm using a $15.00 USB GPS Dongle for OpenCPN. Plus, the GPS from my VHF as backup.

As was mentioned, you have to play around with the connections to get it working. You'll see the Sat connection go green in the upper right hand corner of the display when the connection makes.

Btw, if plan to use OpenCPN why are you going to purchase charts?

[Rusty10]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.


Within Options I have the following set:


Type Direction Protocol Serial Baudrate Priority

Enable Serial Input NMEA0183 COM1 4800 1


Still showing location at 'Null Island'

[thomm225]

I don't have OpenCPN here where I am now but you have to play around with the connection sometimes like try a different port or maybe priority 0 instead of 1. (even a different Baudrate)

I believe my GPS Dongle had a 4800 Baudrate and my VHF 38400

Things like that.

I can usually get mine working like that. I'm continually taking my GPS dongle home and hooking it up to my laptop and have to do the connection again and forget the exact numbers but can usually get it working without looking them up. Home is close enough to the coast to see the "little boat" (my position) on the chart as well.

I have OpenCPN loaded on Windows 10 at home on my laptop and on my Raspberry Pi on the boat. (and spare Raspberry Pi at home) The boat has GPS on Priority 0 and Priority 1 due to the two GPS inputs. AIS data also comes in from the VHF.

VHF data is NMEA 0183 thru a 422 adapter into USB. The dongle is straight USB.

The debug window also will immediately show you when the connection is made for that GPS data

[requiem]

Is GPSComplete able to get the data it needs to present to OpenCPN? Based on what I read at https://www.gpssensordrivers.com/ there should be a "Tests" menu that allows you to confirm it's getting good data. If it isn't, you first need to ensure everything is enabled on the Windows side.

Once GPSComplete is happy, you can then work on getting OpenCPN talking with it.

[Rusty10]

Thank you all for the very kind offers of help, its appreciated.


This is what OpenCPN is currently showing:

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Rusty10

Thank you all for the very kind offers of help, its appreciated.


This is what OpenCPN is currently showing:

That's how it usually comes up after you first download OpenCPN.

If that is the area you want you are set, if not, move the map/chart over to the part of the world you want and download some charts.

I'm located at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, and here's how my OpenCPN looks after moving the map to my part of the world and downloading the charts (RNC I believe) and connecting the GPS and AIS inputs.

The red boat shows my boat's position.

The pictures with the darker blue are from my Raspberry Pi computer and displayed on a monitor then there is also a picture of the same OpenCPN Chart on my Laptop at home.

Looks like I clicked on an AIS target before taking the picture as it is giving AIS info on a ship from Great Britain

[ChrisJHC]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Btw, if plan to use OpenCPN why are you going to purchase charts?

Because not every part of the world provides their ENCs for free?

[Rusty10]

Many thanks once again.


Yes in the UK so charts will need to be purchased?


The software does not appear to recognise my current location (helpful when navigating ) When I open the dashboard (compass) location is set to 00 00.000N 00 00.000E

[CarCode]

To use OpenCPN some minimum skills are needed such as to be able to read the manual.

[nohal]

Originally Posted by Rusty10

Many thanks once again.


Yes in the UK so charts will need to be purchased?


The software does not appear to recognise my current location (helpful when navigating ) When I open the dashboard (compass) location is set to 00 00.000N 00 00.000E

You seem to be getting "something" from the GPS, so let's have a look at it. In the Toolbox enable the NMEA Debug window and show us a screenshot of it once it fills with the messages, please.

[thomm225]

So once you get your GPS connected (and AIS if you have it) you can play around with OpenCPN when the sailing gets slow, and there isn't a lot to do but wait.

I filmed this a couple days ago while sailing North in 92 degree heat and light winds......I was thankful for that wind though because earlier at the dock there was zero and I thought I was wasting my time trying to sail 25 miles North. (of course though at night in my unprotected anchorage winds were around 15 knots. Thank God my CQR held or I would have ended up on the beach))

The AIS allows you to see so far and I noticed a tug was on a course almost directly toward me. This is the nice thing about AIS if you are used to just visual and never had radar or AIS..

I have my main VHF turned down and am just using the handheld for the shorter range and less "noise."

Displays are from my Raspberry Pi 4 and have my Lenovo Laptop as backup.

All power is provided by 115 watts of solar and PWM controllers charging two 12 volt 90 ah batteries hooked up in parallel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TOdSCDHb2s