OpenCPN beginner:

[radarman]

I have just installed vers 5 and am very pleased with it. However I am a newcomer and overwhelmed by the size of the Operator Manual. There is a happening on the screen that I cannot get to grips with and would appreciate any information, simply telling what it is happening - no more :-)
On the screen I have what are 'random' blue dots interconnected by a yellow line with a red hatched line superimposed - see image attached. Could somebody just give me a clue what is happening here please.
Regards,
Les Edgecumbe (Devon UK)

[Dsanduril]

The red/yellow line with the blue dots at the ends is showing you the closest point of approach (CPA) between you and another vessel. I'm assuming that you are in Brixham and not underway, but GPS errors will have you moving around just a bit and thus show you with a CPA even if you are at the dock.

https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=opencpnpencpn_user_manual:toolbar_bu ttons:ais:target_cpa_details

You can right-click on the individual target and choose "hide target CPA" or you can turn it off altogether in the Tools:Options dialog.

[radarman]

Thank you so much - that is just what I needed to know - especially being able to turn the feature Off while we get to grips with other options. We are very grateful to you. Happy Christmas Sir.

[Dsanduril]

A Happy Christmas and a belated welcome to you. I love OpenCPN, but as with any large software package there are so many options and tools that it can be intimidating at times. There's a wealth of knowledge on both the basic and the esoteric here on the forum, ask away.

[radarman]