SAR Plugin

[Rasbats]

New version to address the issues above has been published:

https://github.com/Rasbats/SAR_pi/releases/tag/v2.1

With reference to:
https://opencpn.org/flyspray/index.php?do=details&task_id=2178

The GPX for the patterns now has the planned speed but the OpenCPN import facility does not use this speed in 'Route & Mark Manager'. The default value of '6' always appears. I have raised a feature request for the import facility to use planned_speed from the GPX.

Route & Mark Manager does not import planned_speed from GPX" target="_blank">FS#2666-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww---IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-Route-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-&-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-Mark-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-Manager-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-does-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-not-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-import-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-planned_speed-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-from-IRJDSUNE9932123321222xxeww-GPX

Please refer to the GitHub release for the changes/corrections made.

Mike

[Ops.Navig8r]

Hi Mike, I have just downloaded S&R 2.1 the window size is much better now for the cursor position option, I have only looked at the parallel track at this time, colours look good and you surprised me as usually no one listens to me, I probably should have mentioned it be for but I'm not sure why it needs to generate one extra waypoint on the last leg. its no big deal but technically its not actually part of the search track and is not really required.
While you now into colours it is probably of most use on the sector search when tow passes are used because both routes are on top of each other its easier to determine which route your vessel is supposed to be following.
sorry V2.2 coming!

Best Regards Steve.

[Gilletarom]

Mike,

Here 4 screen copy. With S&R 2.0

There is 3 tab.

I choice the second tab, "Degree, minute"" and I enter value. Then I click the buton "Convert to degree". It work and then the fist tab, "Decimal degree" is automatically isplayed.

I choice the third tab, ° ' ". And I change the value. Then I click on "Convert to degree". It run but it not display automatically the first tab.


It would be better if everything was consistent. For example by displaying the first tab, in each case, after clicking on "Convert to degree".


BUT : All this do not run with S&R 2.1.


Gilletarom.

[Rasbats]

G...

Thanks, I need to really go back to the conversions. Before colour!

We solved this with 'Calculator_pi'. The code is there. Need to take a closer look.

Mike

[Rasbats]

My mistake with the conversions. A spelling error.

v2.1 re-issued:

https://github.com/Rasbats/SAR_pi/releases/tag/v2.1

'Home' page should now be the decimal lat/lon after conversions take place.

Mike

[Rasbats]

Two proposed changes:
1. Use 'destLoxodrome' (Mercator sailing WGS 84) instead of 'destRhumb' to calculate the search pattern positions.
Reason: there were problems with another plugin and I needed to change to 'destLoxodrome' because 'destRhumb' had introduced small errors over large distances.

2. For parallel searches SAR 'Calculate' shows the 'Search Distance' but this does not include the distance from Datum to Start position. For this reason the distance does not match the distance shown in 'Route & Mark Manager'. Propose changing the SAR_pi calculated distance to match the 'Route & Mark Manager' distance. The time of search should (I think) include the time from Datum to start of the pattern.

Mike

[Gilletarom]

Originally Posted by Rasbats

1. Use 'destLoxodrome' (Mercator sailing WGS 84) instead of 'destRhumb' to calculate the search pattern positions.
Reason: there were problems with another plugin and I needed to change to 'destLoxodrome' because 'destRhumb' had introduced small errors over large distances.

It seems to me, in fact, that the use of rhumb lines is a reasonable idea, because the search areas that the SAR must cover are never very large. under these conditions, distance errors due to this type of road are never significant.

2. For parallel searches SAR 'Calculate' shows the 'Search Distance' but this does not include the distance from Datum to Start position. For this reason the distance does not match the distance shown in 'Route & Mark Manager'. Propose changing the SAR_pi calculated distance to match the 'Route & Mark Manager' distance. The time of search should (I think) include the time from Datum to start of the pattern.

Indeed, it is practical to know the actual distance to cover during the search, including the distance to reach the starting point of this one. And especially if this starting point for the search is far enough if the SAR comes from a port far from the search area.

BUT : as far as I'm concerned, you have my blessing to make these two modifications. And, I am not "cardinal", therefore, let the other sailors give their own opinion.

[Ops.Navig8r]

Hi Mike & Rasbats,
As far as small distance error in S&R I also don't see it as a major issue as was expressed in one comment the distances involved in the actual search are small unless as I do calculate on rear occasions for aircraft and usually those guys are good enough to do there own thing jus give them a CSP and away they go. As far as the entering of LAT/LONG I found if swapping from one to the other, then clear the one you do not want first, but I already suggested it would be better not to do the conversion at all and let that happen automatically by the plugin on its own.
Initially I found the TITLE ROUTE NAME confusing thinking it was the file name but years ago I worked out that it was only the internal description displayed in the route/waypoint manager, but if the plugin auto converted then it would be wise the put the name option on all tabs.
Best Regards
Steve

[rgleason]

"but I already suggested it would be better not to do the conversion at all and let that happen automatically by the plugin on its own."

I think this has merit.

[Ops.Navig8r]

I think Mike is up to his arm pits in alligators so it may take him so time.
Cheers

[Gilletarom]

Mike,

See the two screenshots. The route obtained suits me. But, since the segments follow each other, very close, and not very long, the length of the texts must be reduced.
For example: "Leg (1) Pt (1)" and "Leg (1) Pt (2)" are two texts that are too long.
Should we leave as many parentheses? And again, Leg (1) Pt (1) could be replaced by L1PA while Leg (1) Pt (2) could be replaced by L1PB.

For colors, it works. Beware of the problem of people who see certain colors poorly. You must leave the choice of color or pairs of colors.

Another idea if possible: Would it be possible that, when creating a ".gpx" file, the corresponding route is loaded automatically into the route manager, without it being necessary to load it manually?

[Gilletarom]

Mike,

An other idea :

I built a search route by parallel segments, and for that I entered a direction, in degrees, in "COG Search", but, once the route displayed, I would like to rotate it around the Datum point to improve this direction, using the mouse.
Could it be imagined?

And a question :
In the context menus of OpenCPN, more precisely, in the main context menu, we have the item: "Select SAR datum point"

What is it used for ? I tried to click on it but, I don't see a result? I thought it would select the starting point for a search route but ????

So ?????

[Rasbats]

G...

I am using 'right-click' all the time to set the Datum point. To test the accuracy put a waypoint on the chart. Right-Click on the waypoint and after selecting the "Select SAR datum point" option the position is transferred to the lat/lon boxes. When you Right-Click on a waypoint you will see an option 'Main Menu'. Click on that and you have the "Select SAR datum point" option.

I would like to keep 'Leg' in the waypoint name. Perhaps 'Leg 1', 'Leg 2' at the start of each leg is enough. Not sure about the French translation: 'Jambe'?!!!

Mike

[Gilletarom]

Originally Posted by Rasbats

G...

I would like to keep 'Leg' in the waypoint name. Perhaps 'Leg 1', 'Leg 2' at the start of each leg is enough. Not sure about the French translation: 'Jambe'?!!!
Mike

In french, here, Leg = Segment. So very long word.


And OpenCPN already use "Segment" for other similar item. So impossible to change the word. Probably, I use "Seg."
Do not forget to insert "Leg" in crowdin file.

[Gilletarom]

Originally Posted by Rasbats

G...

I am using 'right-click' all the time to set the Datum point. To test the accuracy put a waypoint on the chart. Right-Click on the waypoint and after selecting the "Select SAR datum point" option the position is transferred to the lat/lon boxes. When you Right-Click on a waypoint you will see an option 'Main Menu'. Click on that and you have the "Select SAR datum point" option.

Ok. Idea :

So, to help beginners, replace the item " Select SAR datum point " by "Selected waypoint as SAR datum point".

And maybe it will be necessary to insert a brief "user manual" for this item somewhere on the SAR plugin window. Or add a tab to write a brief manual.