Open CPN newbie

[Yealm]

I'm keen to use open CPN for its AIS functionality (specifically boat positions at CPA).

So far, I've managed to get the software with a chart of a river in France loaded onto my Mac.

Questions, please..

1) How do I find charts of the UK/English Channel ? The only charts I can find listed are of the US or of Inland Waters in Europe.

2) How do I get AIS and GPS from my boat systems (Tacticks, Raymarine AIS and Garmin plotter) into the software ? My laptop only has USB inputs.

many thanks !

[petter5]

Charts: oeSENC - o-charts

Originally Posted by Yealm

I'm keen to use open CPN for its AIS functionality (specifically boat positions at CPA).

So far, I've managed to get the software with a chart of a river in France loaded onto my Mac.

Questions, please..

1) How do I find charts of the UK/English Channel ? The only charts I can find listed are of the US or of Inland Waters in Europe.

2) How do I get AIS and GPS from my boat systems (Tacticks, Raymarine AIS and Garmin plotter) into the software ? My laptop only has USB inputs.

many thanks !

[bcn]

Originally Posted by Yealm

I'm keen to use open CPN for its AIS functionality (specifically boat positions at CPA).

2) How do I get AIS and GPS from my boat systems (Tacticks, Raymarine AIS and Garmin plotter) into the software ? My laptop only has USB inputs.

many thanks !

First investigate the available output formats for the data from your devices.
OpenCPN understands NMEA0183 sentences coming in either via Ethernet or via serial connections. You will need some some serial-USB converter if you use the serial outputs of your other existing modules.

In the manual you will find a ton of information - really recommended to study.
And you can search the forum here for specific questions. Others have connected devices like yours into OCPN.

If you feel comfortable in French there is a very friendly site to guide you through OpenCPN:
opencpn.shoreline.fr

And welcome to OCPN...

Hubert

[CarCode]

1) For the first time try you may use the cm93 charts. I have seen a link for download them here:
Terry

2) To get instrument and AIS data to the USB connector of your Mac and the OpenCPN software they have to be available as serial data (format NMEA0183) via a serial/USB adapter. I recommend the Keyspan USA-19HS adapter. A little bit more complicated and expensive is to use WiFi for the data transfer.

Gerhard

[Yealm]

Thanks thats great ! Looking forward to get it all connected.

Originally Posted by CarCode

1) For the first time try you may use the cm93 charts. I have seen a link for download them here:
Terry

2) To get instrument and AIS data to the USB connector of your Mac and the OpenCPN software they have to be available as serial data (format NMEA0183) via a serial/USB adapter. I recommend the Keyspan USA-19HS adapter. A little bit more complicated and expensive is to use WiFi for the data transfer.

Gerhard

[rgleason]

https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...:chart_sources

Look at oesenc ocharts and visitmyharbor.

Here all you need to know about charts
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do..._manual:charts

[rgleason]

Usb is perfect. Get a USB hub if you need more ports. Look under Getting Started in the manual.