How to use OpenCPN wirelessly

[Snotter]

The recent thread titled “Seaclear from scratch” motivated me to download OpenCPN on to a Toshiba Windows 7 laptop. I’m am hoping that I can use the setup to find out why my Raymarine AIS receiver is no longer working with my Raymarine C80 MFD even though Raymarine say’s it works perfectly on their workbench. (It use to work just fine.) In addition, I would like to start configuring a wireless NMEA 0183 backbone into my boat (a Morgan 415 Out Island). To do this I need technical advice. Specifically how can I make a wireless connection between the AIS receiver and my laptop? The laptop doesn’t have a Bluetooth capability. Is Bluetooth the only way to go? Is it possible to buy a usb/Bluetooth transceiver for my laptop that comes with the necessary software drivers to enable OpenCPN to get at the 0183 data stream? Can someone supply a link to such a device? Or, is it possible for the AIS receiver to use a wifii link? Is a NMEA 0183 to Wifii device manufactured with software drivers that would enable OpenCPN on my laptop to see the data stream? If so, hyper links would be appreciated. It would also be nice to have a backbone that can be used by my iPad too.
I’ve done some googling on the subject; however, I cannot determine if any of the devices I found would work with OpenCPN. There is much I just don’t understand when reading the product descriptions and specs the manufacturers provide.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Good questions. I don't even begin to know the answers, but if you haven't already, you might want to consider asking this over on the www.cruisersforum.com OpenCPN board. There are a lot of "experts" over there, not only on CPN but on your type of question.

 

[onecoolair]

The recent thread titled “Seaclear from scratch” motivated me to download OpenCPN on to a Toshiba Windows 7 laptop. I’m am hoping that I can use the setup to find out why my Raymarine AIS receiver is no longer working with my Raymarine C80 MFD even though Raymarine say’s it works perfectly on their workbench. (It use to work just fine.) In addition, I would like to start configuring a wireless NMEA 0183 backbone into my boat (a Morgan 415 Out Island). To do this I need technical advice. Specifically how can I make a wireless connection between the AIS receiver and my laptop? The laptop doesn’t have a Bluetooth capability. Is Bluetooth the only way to go? Is it possible to buy a usb/Bluetooth transceiver for my laptop that comes with the necessary software drivers to enable OpenCPN to get at the 0183 data stream? Can someone supply a link to such a device? Or, is it possible for the AIS receiver to use a wifii link? Is a NMEA 0183 to Wifii device manufactured with software drivers that would enable OpenCPN on my laptop to see the data stream? If so, hyper links would be appreciated. It would also be nice to have a backbone that can be used by my iPad too.
I’ve done some googling on the subject; however, I cannot determine if any of the devices I found would work with OpenCPN. There is much I just don’t understand when reading the product descriptions and specs the manufacturers provide.

Thats funny my Toshiba Vista laptop does blue tooth:dance:......Why don't you get your self one of these...See pictures below....It works great and better yet because of it small size and round smooth shape I do not have any issues of it being broken off and damaging computers usb port.

 

[Snotter]

Thats funny my Toshiba Vista laptop does blue tooth:dance:......Why don't you get your self one of these...See pictures below....It works great and better yet because of it small size and round smooth shape I do not have any issues of it being broken off and damaging computers usb port.

I know there are a ton of Bluetooth dongles out there. The question is, will OpenCPN work with it?

 

[Stu Jackson]

As I understand it (them? computers & software) the dongle is a port, the software just needs to know which port.

 

[kenn]

To the OP - if you're willing to step outside the Windows "comfort zone" and explore Linux, there are GPS utilities including a sort of GPS server that makes GPS data available via network, including WiFi. This would involve Linux on your laptop and another Linux computer (albeit a tiny, inexpensive one) as the server that feeds your laptop, though, which is probably more complex than you want to get at this point.

... and I don't think this will really help solve your problem of getting your AIS to talk to your MFD. Best idea is to make friends with a local marine electronics nerd and ask for their help.

 

[finding41]

Can one partition a hard drive to have one half windows and the other Linux?

 

[fdr14127]

Google is your friend, it should point you to GPSD which is a driver under Linux that supports the USB interface to just about anything. I use OpenCPN interfaced with the gpsd driver to talk to my NEMA183 network. Works fine, even will support multiple devices.

 

[fdr14127]

Can one partition a hard drive to have one half windows and the other Linux?

Of course, but why would you want to do that....Just convert to Linux and simplify your life...Dual boots are fully explained by most versions of linux in their documentation. Try Mint for newbies, Kbuntu for windoze like graphics, and OpenSUSE for those who prefer Germanic infailability Once you convert you will never go back.

(seems to me that the Micro$oft ULA forbids the use of the software for medical or applications which are life threatening, but its years since I read it. That would explicitly leave out navigation...just sayin...)

 

[Snotter]

As I understand it (them? computers & software) the dongle is a port, the software just needs to know which port.

Stu, thanks for the info. I will make the gamble and buy the bluetooth usb transciever recommended earlier. The question remains, however, what I should buy to convert and transmit the NMEA 0183 data stream via bluetooth?

 

[Sumner]

See if these might help...

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/electronics/71261-nmea-over-bluetooth.html

and ...

.....

http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=262

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

 

[onecoolair]

See if these might help...

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/electronics/71261-nmea-over-bluetooth.html

and ...

.....

http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=262

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

I learned a hard lesson a long time ago about using any 70s era out dated glob thingy sticking out of my laptop.:naughty: It can get very expensive !!!!:cussing:

 

[DougM]

With my setup, the gps antenna talks to my obsolete C70 chartplotter via seatalk. I take a nmea0183 signal out of the C70 to my vhf for lat/lon. That works fine, just had to configure the C70 to send the right data sentance to the vhf. Now for the next question: Has anyone toyed with attempting to download a version of OpenCPN to an Ipad?

I looked at OpenCPN for my laptop and was amazed at the junk software that tried to download along with it. Got cold feet about it and reinstalled my backup to an earlier date.

 

[kenn]

Can one partition a hard drive to have one half windows and the other Linux?

You can, and if you have enough free drive-space, it's a good way to try out Linux while not losing the apps and comfort of Windows. But normally this means booting one or the other, and you choose when booting up.

The latest Linux installers (eg Ubuntu) permit you to run Linux directly from the CD or USB drive without installing anything, and presents you with the choice of install type when you choose to install.

There's a marine-oriented distribution - Navigatrix - that can be checked out in the same way, and already has several marine apps installed.

 

[WayneH]

I looked at OpenCPN for my laptop and was amazed at the junk software that tried to download along with it. Got cold feet about it and reinstalled my backup to an earlier date.

Doug, it sounds like you clicked on one of the ad-spams on OpenCPN. Make sure you are on http://opencpn.org/ocpn/download and select a link in the middle of the page. My version of OC only D/Led OC and nothing else.

The admiral and I are going to use a different program on our I-pad. I guess we will soon be "Lost with great precision" as the chartplotter, laptop and I-pad all show us at different locations.