Using Raytech, NMEA and Seatalk - help

[ndavies]

Hi:
I have Raytech ST60, Raymarine RL70CRC, and other seatalk instruments connected to a Raymarine NMEA/Seatalk Interface (E85001). I am trying to to get them to "talk to" a my laptop using an old copy of Raytech 4.1 that I found on my boat. I don't seem to be getting data from the interface to my laptop. If I open up the E85001. the Seatalk LEDs are lit, but not the NMEA LEDs. I am not sure if the issue is a software issue of an interface issue. According to the E85001 manual, the computer connection is to an RS232 interface. This seems to be wired correctly, but then I have to use a RS232 interface to USB adapter to connect to my laptop.

My laptop is runnign Windows 7, SP-1, 64 -bit. So my question is:
- is the old Raytech 4.1 software incompatible with Windows 7? (it does seem to run, but the problem is that it doesn't seem to detect any interuments); or
- is the problem simply with the RS232 to USB conversion?

If anyone has ideas or suggestions, I would welcome them. I would invest in the latest software if I have confidence that its a software issue, but don't want to spend the money if I am just fighting the hardware!

Thanks all

 

[Bill Roosa]

Open hyperterminal and select the COMM port the USB is using. That should tell you if data is coming into the USB. You will see the port output in the window. This assumes that hyperterminal is even available in winders 7. I run Linux so........it is more of a plug and play type arangement...... gads I love saying that!

Alternately you can get a geek to listen to the USB male connector (puts it to his ear!!, go figure) and he can tell if the USB is

On a related note: If your E85001 is a Seatalk to NMEA converter then most nav software (some even free) will read the NMEA data stream and do wonderful things with is. note that while all the seatalk sentences are translatable into NMEA Ray does not provide the full translation capability. Seems they want you to keep buying their products.

I'm thinking that with no NMEA led lit there is a problem with the E85001 box.

 

[Velero49]

Reytech does not run well with windows 7 or vista call raymarine. I was told that you need to run a version of windows that emulates windows xp. it work on my laptop w XP but not with vista. they are not modifying the all software becuase they are spending all their $$ in in the wifi/nmea 2000.

 

[Chuckbear]

We are using a seatalk/nmea box and the nmea light should be lit. Be sure you have the connections correct. If you are connecting to a laptop you should be using a serial cable and the wiring on the interface needs to be right for the serial cable. If I remember correctly the connections are different and the output is for the rs232 and not the nmea out. Chuck

 

[Chris Patterson]

This may mean absolutely nothing, but making my Garmin talk to the computer, it was RS232, and with the USB adapter, I had to install software I found online to "complete the circuit". It was strictly on account of that little pigtail adap.

 

[Chuckbear]

If using a serial to USB adapter you must have the correct drivers installed. And it needs to be compatible with your operating system. Chuck

 

[Hello Below]

HyperTerminal ceased to exist with Windows Vista. There are options that Micro Soft suggest but I found them all to be pretty cumbersome for what I needed it for. To determine if there is NMEA data input to your laptop, I would suggest employing a free utility that is available for download, Franson GpsGate. A very small application that once loaded and running is invaluable for your needs. Under Settings, it has a wizard which determines which port the data is being input on and asks if you wish to connect to that port. You can then click on the Output Tab and Select and Add a Logger, if you wish. This will save your NMEA data/sentences for future inspection.

I believe that Raymarine advertised that only RayTech Planner/Navigator 6.2 will operate under Windows 7. But it is worth a try after you verify data is coming into your computer.

 

[ndavies]

Thanks everyone. This gives me plenty of tinkering fodder for my next trio to the boat. I'm pretty sure the problem isn't my seatalk to NMEA box, as I replaced that first, with no improvement. The free software sounds intriguing. Does anyone have any suggestions.

 

[kenn]

Hi ndavies,

link for GPSGate: http://gpsgate.com/products/gpsgate_client

I haven't tried it, but sounds useful for testing.

As mentioned, it's easier to handle and route serial signals in the Linux world. One painless way to give Linux a try is to download a 'live' distribution that will simply run from a CD-ROM or a USB drive, without you having to install or change anything There's a few Linux distros that are already configured for "marine" applications and containing lots of marine apps. One distro I'm playing with is Navigatrix.

 

[DJW]

Is the windows 7 the Professional or Preimum version? The Professional version will act like an XP machine if you are running old XP software. The Preimum version will not that's why I upgraded my windows to the Professional version.

Dennis

 

[ndavies]

I am using Windows 7 Enterprise with SP1. Raytech 4.1 seems to run ok but does not detect any instruments, so I suspect it could be that it doesn't have the right drivers? I am not a computer expert. I have downloaded a couple of free software programs that I will try on my next trip to the boat and see if these "see" any instruments. Right now I am trying to figure out if its a software issue or a hardware issue.

 

[ndavies]

Well today I had some success. To cut a long story short, I used some free software to identify the COMM port. Then changed the baud rate to 4800, and ray tech 4.1 found my instruments. It seems to have found everything except radar, and I'm not sure if I need additional equipment to make that work. I will have to do more research. Or it could be that I need to move as I was stationary at the dock. Anyway - some significant progress!