OpenCPN Radar Overlay PlugIn

[bdbcat]

OK, here some test images (more radar porn.....)

Please disregard the subjective quality of the images. Image optimization is work -in-process.

First case:
Master 1, at large scale. Looks OK.
Slave 1, at small scale. Note that there is no radar scan data beyond 1 mile.

Second case:
Master 2, at small scale. Again, OK, sort of.
Slave 2, at large scale. Obviously overzoomed, but that is the consequence of operation in slave mode.

So, we can see that operation in master mode is best, if you can configure the required hardware interface.

Dave

[bdbcat]

Good morning radar geeks....

Here is the latest cut of the OpenCPN Radar Plugin documentation.
New information regarding the OpenCPN computer network setup.

Enjoy
Dave

[bdbcat]

Radar folks...

And here (tada) is the first Beta test version of the Radar Overlay PlugIn.

Requires OpenCPN Version 3.0 or later. Install as usual for PlugIns. Enable by Toolbox->Plugins.
Right-click on the chart, and from the context menu open "Radar Control" to set some options.

In slave mode:
Start the radar in the chartplotter. Wait for warmup/spinup, and get a nice picture on the plotter.

On the OpenCPN computer, click the new Radar icon in the toolbar.

The toolbar radar icon has a little colored status annunciator in the lower right quadrant. In slave mode it indicates the following:
Red: No radar data available at Ethernet interface.
Amber: Radar PlugIn in standby.
Green: Radar PlugIn active.

There is lots left to do in the PlugIn.
1.Allow manual gain/range control
2.Allow specification of radar heading source.
3.Improved image processing
4.etc...

But this is a simple start, and should verify the interface with minimal complexity.

Lets see some pictures
Enjoy
Dave

[Mackan]

Wow, this project is awsome!

I am still at the design stage, thinking of what equipment to get for my ship. I very much like the idea to have one big screen showing all I need to know.

One question. Will your great work be of any use to me if I choose the narrow Linux path?

Keep up the good work!

Best Regards
Markus
Stockholm, Sweden

[bdbcat]

Mackan...

linux is our main development platform. The Radar overlay works fine under linux (gtk).

Dave

[dougwm10]

Dave

Whilst this is off the subject I think it could be very helpful to many O users who are long term Windows users but who would like to get away from Windows and into Linux. They are however put off by having to re-learn a whole new operating system which is not helped by the many different brands of Linux that are available.

Your advice and recommendation with regards to which version of Linux you would recommend would therefore be greatly appreciated.

In no order of importance I would want to use a Linux version that is

1. Widely available with a large user base.
2. Easy to use with a simple but effective GUI
3. Has a large number of the more common Windows programs available in a compatible Linux version
4. Has most of the drivers available for common windows computer systems desktop and notebooks.
5. Is actively updated and upgraded as new programs and drivers are released.

If anyone else would like to comment it would be greatly appreciated

[Opie91]

Dave,

Thanks for all the hard work with this project. I will order a radome tomorrow and try the opencpn master mode (type 2). I like all the options you are working on.

Carl

[bdbcat]

dougwm10....

The number of opinions about the "best" linux distro is greater than or equal to twice the number of linux users....

However, I think you can do well by getting on the Ubuntu train. Many of the OpenCPN crew use it. Frequent updates, some tagged with "Long Term Support" commitments, lots of free software that works like Windows stuff, etc, etc...

And it doesn't "blue screen". Ever...

Other opinions?

Dave

[JesperWe]

Originally Posted by dougwm10

2. Easy to use with a simple but effective GUI

As Dave said, Ubuntu is currently your best choice for a smooth experience. They are however under fire at present since the default GUI of newer versions has gone rather far out along the "let's make everything look like a tablet" path.

This is unfamiliar to traditional Windows desktop users who might feel more at home using the KDE based variant of Ubuntu, kubuntu.org.

[Mackan]

Originally Posted by bdbcat

Mackan...

linux is our main development platform. The Radar overlay works fine under linux (gtk).

Dave

Great!
Very reassuring. Thanks Dave.

BR
Mackan

[Gilletarom]

Hello Dave,

Using 3.0.1, I put out the old version and place the new dll of radar AIS plug-in.

So I run OCPN

In Toolbox/Plugins, I allow the plugin and then I click to preference. But the window is grey ...

[Gilletarom]

Hello Dave,

There was a version 0.92 that displayed the boats seen with AIS. There is now a version 1.0 that is made to show the boats seen by the radar (Garmin only)

Is it planned to mix the two situations?

Best regards.

Gilletarom

[richardhc]

"Beta test version of the Radar Overlay PlugIn"
I am assuming that once I download the ".doc" file that I should delete the .doc and just use the .dll - is that correct?
Also when I download the GRadar.pdf file it is 19KB and won't open.

[nohal]

Originally Posted by richardhc

"Beta test version of the Radar Overlay PlugIn"
I am assuming that once I download the ".doc" file that I should delete the .doc and just use the .dll - is that correct?

Yes, that's correct.

Also when I download the GRadar.pdf file it is 19KB and won't open.

Try to download again - the file should be a bit less than 270 KB and the download works fine for me.

Pavel

[ChuckSK]

Hi Dave

Does Gradar work in Master mode? I have the Interface Type 2 hardware up and running but the scanner does not communicate. Am I jumping the gun?

Chuck