OpenCPN + BU353S4 + MAC OSX

[rgleason]

LFA

Originally Posted by rgleason

OpenCPN manual has
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...up#gps_devices

Help all mac users. What is missing from these instructions?

Now is your chance to help all Mac users and modify the description provided for MacOS. Provide a complete short document with screenshots if necessary and I can make the changes, or I can make you an editor so you do the changes.

[LFA]

Originally Posted by rgleason

LFA
Now is your chance to help all Mac users and modify the description provided for MacOS. Provide a complete short document with screenshots if necessary and I can make the changes, or I can make you an editor so you do the changes.

With all the back and forth I lost a bit of my track, but what I believe are some key elements:

1. Download and install the driver. The file is not a zip-file, but a RAR-file. My mac would not open that, so I had to install "The unarchiver" from app store. After that installation went fine. I do not know if this has to be done. I installed it first because I thought the driver was the problem when the GPS-device did not appear in the drop-down menu.

2. Follow the advise given earlier by CarCode:

Once when needed the correct driver for macOS is installed and the GPS device is connected simply open the Terminal app and issue the command:
ls /dev/cu* (in words: char "l" + char "s", space, backslash+chars"dev"+backslash+chars"cu*")

Type return.

As an example only you will get something like this:
Code:
MacBook-Pro ~ % ls /dev/cu*
/dev/cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port /dev/cu.XGPS160-459E56-SerialPo
/dev/cu.Qstarz818XT-SPPslave /dev/cu.usbmodem00000000050B1
/dev/cu.RO4800-BT-DevB
Choose the guessed name of your GPS device including the prefix "/dev/cu." and write it into the dataport box of OpenCPN in Connections/Serial/ e.g. "/dev/cu.XGPS160-459E56-SerialPo" in this example.

This advice solved my headache. I was trying to guess the device name, but was unsuccessful. In my case the answer was "/dev/cu.usbserial-1410" and that I do not believe I would have guessed before next summer.....

3. Start OpenCPN and add this new connection. If the GPS antenna is not shown in the drop-down menu, which is the common problem shown in this tread, just enter the name you guess (as the example over shows you might have a couple of devices listed in the terminal app window). If it is wrong, just try another one that seems plausible.

4. Be aware (as it is also said earlier in this tread) that the BU353S4 is quite demanding in establishing the initial satellite fix. It was not sufficient for me to sit by the window where I earlier have experienced that GPS-signals are received. I needed to bring my mac out on the balcony. (A bit chilly for my mac in early-january...) Fix was established after approximately five minutes. After that it was not so demanding and i kept the fix indoor.

5. Enjoy OpenCPN with GPS. I am looking forward to try it onboard when boating season starts


/LFA

[rgleason]

LFA, This is good.

I can work with this and get it posted in the manual, but I am not a mac user.

Please provide more detail about the driver and where to find it. Also I am going to post this as one user experience, so I need the manufacturer and model number of your gps puck as well. Is it BU353S4? Also your MacOS version. I assume this is Opencpn v5.6.0.

Also what in this detailed description is missing? How would you like to see it changed?
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...tailed_version


I will need you to review what I have done. Thanks.

[LFA]

I found the driver here: https://www.globalsat.com.tw/en/a4-10593/BU-353S4.html

/LFA

[LFA]

Sorry, i forgot the link to the GPS-puck, but it is the same as de heading: https://www.globalsat.com.tw/en/prod...-BU-353S4.html

/LFA

[rgleason]

Note: There is also a MacOS BU353s4 Link in our documentation easy to overlook that goes to https://continuouswave.com/forum/vie...t=4121&p=23725 which might also be useful.

[rgleason]

Please Review the following:

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

I believe there is plenty of information here for MacOS install of gps drivers!
What version of MacOS are you using?

[LFA]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Please Review the following:

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

I believe there is plenty of information here for MacOS install of gps drivers!
What version of MacOS are you using?

I believe that this is how i did it! Looks correct to me. I am running macOS Big Sur 11.6.3

/LFA

[rgleason]

LFA, thanks.

[centaur114]

One key factor if you are using High Sierra or later:

https://www.mac-usb-serial.com/docs/...eshooting.html

Since OS X High Sierra, you need to explicitly allow the drivers in the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences. You will get a dialog System Extension Blocked during installation, which alerts you to approve the driver.

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by centaur114

One key factor if you are using High Sierra or later:

https://www.mac-usb-serial.com/docs/...eshooting.html

Since OS X High Sierra, you need to explicitly allow the drivers in the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences. You will get a dialog System Extension Blocked during installation, which alerts you to approve the driver.

Added to the manual

[UA0FUA]

I understand that I don't ask the question-send me....problem: OpenCpn,SF-18 laptop,MK4 can't "enable" built-in GPS module, OS Navigatrix...Linux is not strong

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by UA0FUA

I understand that I don't ask the question-send me....problem: OpenCpn,SF-18 laptop,MK4 can't "enable" built-in GPS module, OS Navigatrix...Linux is not strong

Far to terse and not enough information to respond.

[UA0FUA]

laptop, a Linux operating system Navigatrix,laptop cf-18,built-in GPS module,don't know how to make OpenCPN see GPS

[rgleason]

When was navagatrix last updated? What version of opencpn is it using.

Dont know about drivers for built in gps, but if it is serial first verify the gps works with the manuf program, then turn that off and try opencpn connection, you cannot share a serial connection

Also review the manual re "Setting up Gps"