OpenCPN + BU353S4 + MAC OSX

[ChrisJHC]

I'm trying to connect my new BU353S4 to a Mac Book Pro (2019) running Mac OSX Big Sur 11.1.

Note that the new Mac Book Pros only come with USB-C so I'm having to run a connector between the BU353 and the Mac.

I've followed all the directions in Ppatinka's post and can see the device in the Terminal and also in System Information.

I've also got it connected via the OpenCPN "Connections" page.

But, I can't get my position to show up in Open CPN!
The GPS indicator ball stays solidly red.

Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong?

[rgleason]

Are you running a (...) program (...) that show the GPS? You cannot do that. One program at a time!! This is noted many places in the documentation. I suggest you read it.


I would suggest someone write this up for MacOS and post it here in one post, with links, making sure it is correct.
I will then include it in the documentation under MacOS

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Are you running multiple programs that show the GPS? You cannot do that. One program at a time!! This is noted many places in the documentation. I suggest you read it.


I would suggest someone write this up for MacOS and post it here in one post, with links, making sure it is correct.
I will then include it in the documentation under MacOS

This has nothing to do with macOS. I don't know any OS which is able to connect a GPS to several programs. If some one need this he should use gpsd instead.

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by CarCode

This has nothing to do with macOS. I don't know any OS which is able to connect a GPS to several programs. If some one need this he should use gpsd instead.

Carcode, please explain, this is essentially what I advised, to shut down the other program(s). I guess you have a problem with the "multiple" and the "s" (I agree I should not have typed the s) ?

Fixed it. Thanks

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Carcode, please explain, this is essentially what I advised, to shut down the other program(s). I guess you have a problem with the "multiple" and the "s" (I agree I should not have typed the s) ?

Fixed it. Thanks

To be clear again: That has nothing to do with macOS. It is true for any OS I know.

[ChrisJHC]

Nope, only running OpenCPN.

I might try restarting (again) to see if that helps.

[EarlWer]

Originally Posted by ChrisJHC

I'm trying to connect my new BU353S4 to a Mac Book Pro (2019) running Mac OSX Big Sur 11.1.

Note that the new Mac Book Pros only come with USB-C so I'm having to run a connector between the BU353 and the Mac.

I've followed all the directions in Ppatinka's post and can see the device in the Terminal and also in System Information.

I've also got it connected via the OpenCPN "Connections" page.

But, I can't get my position to show up in Open CPN!
The GPS indicator ball stays solidly red.

Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong?

Did you open the Show Messages window? (I forgot the actual name).

If you are not getting any data from the puck, the problem is your connection.

If you ARE getting legible data from the puck, move the laptop outside or near a window. It may take 5 minutes to get a proper fix...

I installed OpenCPM from my basement office... and couldn't understand why it couldn't get a fix...

[ChrisJHC]

All working now.

I did notice that it took a long time to get an initial fix but it’s now all good.

Thanks all!

[rgleason]

Chris would you mind explaining the specific steps taken to get it working in detail and what to watch out for? Also what was it specifically that you found to the be the problem and how did you fix it?



In this way you are contributing so that others can follow. Thank you.

[ChrisJHC]

For those that want to copy what I did (basically following Ppatinka's method from #15 in this thread):

Install the driver

1. Google "pl2303 mac" and download the driver from the Prolific website
2. Unpack the Zip file
3. Open the Installation Guide
4. Follow the directions in the first three sections (i.e. Introduction, System Requirements and Mac OSX Driver Installation)
5. Do not go any further in the Installation Guide!
6. Restart your machine

Connect the GPS puck. You will probably need to use an adaptor to convert to USB-C as that is all the new Macbook Pros have.

Run a System Report to make sure your Mac can see the GPS:

• Click on the Apple Symbol at the top left of your screen
• Select "About this Mac"
• Select "System Report"
• Under Hardware, select "USB"
• Expand the USB devices until you see the one that says "USB-Serial Controller D" or similar. In my case I had to expand several "USB 3.1 Bus" options before I found it.
• Click on the "USB-Serial Controller D" and the details will show in the bottom pane. It should show the manufacturer as Prolific Technology.

Get the GPS running in OpenCPN (copied from the OpenCPN help page with one addition):

1. Start OpenCPN
2. Click on the Options Icon
3. Select “Connections”, and “Add Connection” and “Serial”
4. Under “Data Port” select the port displaying the BU353
5. Check the baudrate is 4800
6. Choose OK
7. Select "Show NMEA Debug Window" and check that a series of messages are scrolling by. These are the data flowing from the GPS to OpenCPN. Click the box again to turn it off.

Final step:

• Take your Mac with the GPS connected outside and wait for 5-10 minutes for an initial position to be acquired.
• You will have succeeded when the GPS "ball" changes to bars and goes from red to green.
• Also the "Own Ship" icon will display at your location
• Pat yourself on the back for being a Mac genius!

[EarlWer]

For me, the counter-intuitive part was:

My Samsung phone can easily get a GPS fix in my basement, but the GPS puck (which I thought was more sensitive) cannot...

Solution: Take the laptop close to a window. (it's winter here in Canada)

This should be added to the main OpenCPN page with an explanation...

"Take your computer with the GPS connected outside and wait for 5-10 minutes for an initial position to be acquired."

[rgleason]

Chris,

Added to the Manual. Many thanks.
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...tailed_version

[Moo]

Maybe just add an RTFM section to the manual too... i.e. what the light on the GPS puck indicates

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by Moo

Maybe just add an RTFM section to the manual too... i.e. what the light on the GPS puck indicates

WT_DYM?

[Moo]

Originally Posted by rgleason

WT_DYM?

If the OP had read the manual for his/her puck they would not have had to ask any questions here. The light on the puck was telling them it had no lock....