Radar plugin v5.0.0 released

[Hakan]

Originally Posted by Torngat34

Hello Hakan,

.....

When I throw my radar circuit breaker switch on, I start seeing activity at the Ethernet port on my USB hub.

What's that? Ethernet port on a USB hub? Never heard of. But if your Ethernet cable from the scanner is not connected direct to the PC port I would have tried that.

Also, I see output from Wireshark...but I don't know how to interpret it.
....Duncan

If you start capture some seconds before you switch power on to the scanner your should see it searching for "Who has 10.56.0.10 Tell 0.0.0.0"
After DHCP exchange the scanner traffic use UDP like the last package on my shot.

[Hakan]

Duncan..
Additional info if you still not succeed to connect:

I today heard some doubts for the updated plugin in combination with a, not earlier connected, BR24. That is if the last connection IP address is not in the O config file. Since I've a BR24 at home and is on my way home, I'll make a "clean" try for confirmation tomorrow and come back.
Håkan

[Hakan]

Duncan..
I've now tested on my BR24 at home. No problem.
I've used O version 5.0, radar_pi version 5.0.3 https://github.com/opencpn-radar-pi/...ov50-win32.exe
Before connection I for a test cleaned my config file from old addresses.
The connection was established in less then 10 seconds.
See my attached shots. The first from radar_pi info window and second also my network card status while connected. (Sorry in Swedish but you recognize the settings.) For the network card settings I use Automatic connection (DHCP)

Config file edits for info: (It would not be necessary for you... but if you like to try.)
File C:\ProgramData\opencpn\opencpn.ini
-- These settings (Search Ctrl-F for: Radar0Type)
Radar0Type=Navico BR24
Radar0NavicoInfo=/236.6.7.8:6678/236.6.7.9:6679/236.6.7.10:6680
Radar0Address=169.254.223.17
Radar0Interface=192.168.10.189

-- was changed to:
Radar0Type=
Radar0NavicoInfo=
Radar0Address=
Radar0Interface=


If you go for some .ini file changes do the same for any:
Radar1Type=
Radar1NavicoInfo=
Radar1Address=
Radar1Interface=

Håkan

[Torngat34]

Good day Hakan, I see you have been very busy on my behalf, thank you very much. Regarding your earlier posting, my computer doesn't have an Ethernet port, but my 3-port USB hub does, which I used successfully when I had the OCPN radar plugin working successfully in Summer 2017.

Unfortunately, I was unable to read the WireShark image you had attached in your post.

When I start up my radar with WireShark running, I see "Who has 169.254.75.98? Tell 0.0.0.0", which gets repeated several times. Is it possible to send you are short WS .pcapng file of the Ethernet port activity when I turn on my radar? Perhaps you could view in WireShark and pick something out of it that would help solve the problem.


In the meanwhile, I am madly searching for a MFD to test my radar. And also will work through your last couple of posts to me.


Duncan

[Torngat34]

Hello Hakan, Good progress, finally, yesterday with help from a PC computer specialist, much of the problem was tracked down to my AVG anti-virus software, which 'was' also controlling my firewall, something I thought I had in hand. He is very much against use of AVG, for which I have paid for and used since my laptop was new, and was using in 2017 when I had the radar plugin working...but things change with software updates. When I 'uninstalled' AVG, I still had a problem. The uninstall software hadn't completely removed it all: it had left a 'component' in the Ethernet network connection 'items' used listing.
Once that was unchecked, OCPN radar pi was able to connect to my 3G radar. Finally! However, the issue has not yet been completely resolved.

I seem to have a measure of control of the radar through the plugin, however, when I chick the transmit button, I see a very brief 'Transmitting' message, then immediately, the status reverts to 'Standby'. I seem to be very close, but, once again, I am seeking any further guidance you can offer. Regards, Duncan

[Hakan]

Duncan..
Nice to hear. Personally I do agree with your friend. In Win10 there's no reason to pay for anything extra once Windows inbound anti virus program is enabled. Uninstall all AVG apps and restart the PC after all cleaning.
Windows 10 Defender use to ask for permission when program like OpenCPN want to pass the firewall. In the radar case it's essential OpenCPN has permission for internal and global transmit and receive. If any doubts about the firewall temporary disable all internal and global firewall and make a new test with the radar. (If no internet on any connection you don't need the firewall.)

Please show us the info window when connected. (If not shown: Radar menu->Window->Info..)

[Torngat34]

Hakan,
Seemingly I have fully removed AVG. The attached pic shows my OCPN screen with the radar pi info window, and so forth. In response to pressing the Start/Stop radar button, you will see the message "Spinning up", which never changes. Pressing the button again, reverts to Standby. Thoughts?

Duncan

[Hakan]

Duncan
Since the firmware is from before Sept 2014 I should have tried to change radar type to BR24.
Stop radar_pi by right click "Hide Radar" and "Show radar" or restart O after the change.

Håkan

[Torngat34]

Hakan,

I have tried BR24 as well (both numerous times) with essentially the same results, although sometimes when I press the transmit button, I see "Transmitting" for a split second before it reverts to Standby. Again for both radar types. Note that when I use BR24, then shut OCPN, then check the .ini file, I see "Radar0Type=Navico 4G A". The next time O tries to start type 4G A as one would expect. Something fishy there.

Duncan

[Hakan]

Duncan..
Fishy, yes. I suppose we are in gray zone between an old BR24 and the new 3G. Then the code misinterpret what's reported from the radar scanner.
Since your 3G was working with the previous plugin and the new tries to set the radar type according to received info something is going wrong and the radar type is set to 4GA instead.
Now we have o good opportunity to find this out if you have the time to participate.

We need to see your log file extended to a verbose one. In opencpn.ini change the value for VerboseLog to 8.
Start O and radar_pi and try to connect to the scanner. when communication is established and you have tried to transmit using the button, close O again and load the log file here. (Rename it to for example opencpn.log.pdf and it will be possible to upload)
VerboseLog can now be set back to 0 to avoid massive logs.

Then, a test.
I've made a small change to the plugin to not switch radar type from BR24 to 4GA
Could you make a test. It's here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/tasb4jyc3p...win32.exe?dl=1

Set your radar type to BR24 and make a new try. Let's know what's happening.
Håkan

[Torngat34]

Hakan,

Indeed, I will be happy to participate. I have been using OpenCPN and various plugins for a number of years now and am very thankful to all the developers, I think it is a fantastic piece of software. We are underway today but I will do as you ask as soon as I can.

Duncan

[Torngat34]

Hello Hakan,


A long, but very good, day sailing yesterday...I am attaching the log file of the first part of the test, using O5.0 and radar-pi v5.0.3-beta. At time 1022/23, I started OCPN with a 3G radar, waited until radar communication appeared to be set up, then tried to switch to transmit: the radar ppi message showed 'Spinning up', then a split second display of 'Transmitting', then it immediately reverted to 'Standby'. I think I tried several times to transmit, with the same result. I then changed from 3G to BR24, restarted the radar (power off and on) around time 1026/27, with essentially the same outcome, as with the 3G, when I tried to switch to Transmit. After closing OCPN, I find the following line in the ini file: "Radar0Type=Navico 4G A" as I did previously.


I will try the second part of the trial shortly.


Duncan

[Torngat34]

Hakan,

I just ran the second part of the trial using your 'test' radar-pi, see the attached log file, just an extension of the previous one I sent. When I installed the test pi, I ran OCPN then changed the radar preferences to BR24, closed OCPN, checked the ini file, the radar type recorded was BR24 - thanks.

I started OCPN again, waited until radar communication appeared to be established, then clicked on the radar transmit button. Radar type BR24 come up as expected but also with the same outcome: 'Spinning up', then 'Transmit'' very, very briefly, then it reverted to 'Standby', as usual. After shutting down OCPN, the ini file again had recorded BR24 correctly.

This afternoon I will be leaving my boat for the next five days but will be willing to do other trials you suggest on my return.

Regards,
Duncan

[Hakan]

Duncan..
Very good. Thanks for the test. Obviously my little patch worked. The aim was to keep it set to a BR24 although the radar itself report its type as 3G or 4G. (Type 1)
But apparently is your radar function nothing we have seen or are prepared for. The firmware before Oct 2014 is said to act as an BR24 and post that as an 3G. But there seems to be something in between as well.

The log file is fine although I can't say if it's enough for further conclusions. We're a bit over my head. Let's see if our main programmers here can ad there knowledge. But for the moment Kees is out sailing and Douwe is busy with other duties.

It may be we need a Wireshark pcap file for the same operations you've now tested. Using both the BR24 and 3G as radar type.
If you would like to support us with that next time you meet the boat and the radar it would be great. This file will be hard to upload here but if you give me a private message we will find a location.

In the case you're tired of this struggle I suppose a firmware update to something after Oct 2014 will fix the problem. Then the radar will act as a pure 3G as my own where the firmware is from 2017. But to do that I think you need a MFD?

Thanks for your time, help and interest in this.
Håkan

[Torngat34]

Hakan,

Probably a bit late for me to do another test running Wireshark as we are rushing our preparations to completion before leaving the boat, but I'll try to fit it in. I wonder, can append a WireShark saved file with .pdf extension added?

I am still looking for a MFD to do the firmware update, although I asked Simrad Canada if I could do it from a PC using a direct Ethernet connection to the radar. Here is part of the back and forth we had: "
It looks like you should be able to push the update via your PC. The file type is .riw and not .upd." but I'm not sure I'd comfortable trying that. I think it best to find a MFD.

Duncan