OpenCPN/pypilot newbie

[richarddaneel]

Hi Guys
Please excuse the basic nature of this query but I need some help. I have a fresh install of OpenCPN and have configured the GPS in Com 3 and get excellent green coloured nmea sentences in the debug window. My problem is that as soon as I set-up a network (TCP:20220) IN/OUT connection to be used by Pypilot the out sentences all turn red (picture) which means there is an error and Pypilot does not recognize them.

[rgleason]

As it says, RED is MESSAGES WITH ERRORS. It is incoming messages. Some instrument is misbehaving.
It looks to me like you have an echo loop of some sort. Describe your nema0183 system please.

[richarddaneel]

Hi rgleason, many thanks for your reply. OK, so it is the input side that has the errors not the output. I have various combinations of systems from laptops to RP1 3 and 4. In all of the cases I get this RED error. However, the most basic system is my laptop (Windows 10) which has the latest OpenCPN on with a very basic arduino/RPi based gps unit. The small gps seems to be working as it gives perfect nmea0183 sentences as seen in the debug window, especially, when I make COM3 the only connection. Just get back to me if you need any more info.
cheers
Richard

[rgleason]

Richard, I stand corrected those are out errors I believe. Sorry.

I did not read your image carefully enough. Is it possible these are checksum errors?

I don't know much about an arduino gps for the signal in, but I guess it is working fine. Can you set your tcp to filter it for only out? With your serial in checked?


I have not set up Pypilot connections yet. Does that require tcp in and out?

[richarddaneel]

Hi rgleason, sorry not sure what you mean do you suggest I un-tick the checkbox "Receive input on this port" so that the direction is out only? If so, I did that and no change.
cheers

[rgleason]

https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...:other:pypilot


https://pypilot.org/wiki/doku.php?id=opencpn_plugin

[richarddaneel]

Hi rgleason. Does this mean I am more naive than I thought I was. I have sort of got a RPi version of Pypilot semi-running but I thought the plugin would take the gps signal and bearing and that the plugin had all the required software to run the motor controller. Thus, I thought I could use only OpenCPN and the plugin from my laptop and have a functional auto-pilot navigating with the gps bearings, was I wrong?
cheers

[richarddaneel]

rgleason, please accept my humble apologies, I hope we can meet someday and I can give you an expensive bottle of wine and I will try and not hassle you in future, best wishes
Richard

[rgleason]

The pilot plugin reguires a pypilot controller! Is that what you have?

[rgleason]

If you are using some other autopilot, try using just Opencpn, activate a route and send the nmea0183 messages to your autopilot, as described in the manual.

IOnce that is working try Sean's autopilot-route plugin.

Or if you have a recent raymarine evo nmea2k AP the use douwe's plugin, but you need a converter or signalk.

[rgleason]

Richard, it's no hastle, was just in the middle of exercise routine. This forum is exactly the right place for such questions. I and other volunteers try to help.

[rgleason]

Sorry I had not received this message on my old android cell phone:


"I have sort of got a RPi version of Pypilot semi-running but I thought the plugin would take the gps signal and bearing and that the plugin had all the required software to run the motor controller. Thus, I thought I could use only OpenCPN and the plugin from my laptop and have a functional auto-pilot navigating with the gps bearings, was I wrong?"


You have this right.. You should be able to use OpenCPN on your laptop with the Pypilot_pi Plugin to direct your RPI Pypilot controller to instruct your autopilot. That is the exact purpose of PyPilot_pi as a good interface between OpenCPN and your Pypilot RPI controller.


So now lets look at the big picture. Are you able to use your Pypilot RPI controller to direct your autopilot as a standalone? Is that all working properly first? That is the first task. I think we may need Sean's expertise here if you need help.


He generally will respond to issues on github here https://github.com/pypilot/pypilot_pi/issues
Or you can post in the Pypilot OpenPlotter forum here https://forum.openmarine.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=17