OpenCPN again!

[single]

This will be tricky with bad internet connection but i'm away on the boat and opencpn was giving me problems but while at home seemed to be working.Sods law now i'm away its still showing my position as at home but i'm 100miles west.Whats not working?

 

[Tony Cross]

This will be tricky with bad internet connection but i'm away on the boat and opencpn was giving me problems but while at home seemed to be working.Sods law now i'm away its still showing my position as at home but i'm 100miles west.Whats not working?

It's not getting a GPS input. Do you use a USB dongle or tap into the boat's GPS?

in OpenCPN click the wrench, then the Connections tab. Your GPS device should be listed there. Make sure it's properly connected (and using the port that OpenCPN expects). Assuming you're using Windows, then Device Manager (via Control Panel) will show you what port comms devices are using, click Ports (Com & LPT).

 

[single]

Its on a data lead from Magellan 315 which was ok. Other thing gps is set to 4800 baud and nmea v1.5xte. Is that right?

 

[2nd_apprentice]

Check if it's the same settings on both ends

 

[Tony Cross]

Its on a data lead from Magellan 315 which was ok. Other thing gps is set to 4800 baud and nmea v1.5xte. Is that right?

I had to look up the Magellan 315, it seems all the nmea versions it supports are 0183 but you might try experimenting. 4800 baud is generally the right data rate but if you click on the device in OpenCPN (in the Connections tab) it will show you what speed OpenCPN expects, if it's not 4800 then set it to 4800.

One thing occurs, you mention using OpenCPN at home and on the boat. Do you use the same GPS device at both places?

 

[2nd_apprentice]

The manual says on p 52: "NMEA data is output at 4800 baud, 8 N, 1, checksum off"
Check if your settings for the serial port interface on Windows agree with this (open Hyperterminal).

They also recommend "V2.1 GSA ... Vers. 2.1 NMEA isrecommended for navigation data, satellite data and autopilots"

You didn't mess around with the map datum settings did you?

 

[LadyInBed]

Have you clicked the button (red boat) (auto follow [F2]) on the toolbar?

 

[single]

All working for no apparent reason.Maybe a loose connection or something.Also should the GPS be up and running before the laptop is turned on? When its working its great but still not as good as my old Transas Nav pro.

 

[Robin]

I use a Globalsat BU354 with Win 8 and this only powers up when the laptop is on. Until the GPS finds a current position it shows the position on openCPN as where it was when it last had a proper fix. If it has been 'off some time I the GPS takes a while to get a new fix, could this be the same with your Magellan?? Oh and yes click on autofollow button as Lady in bed says..