Watchdog Plugin

[Corsair63]

Hi Rick,

reported some strange behavior for the WD Course alarm in GitHub:
https://github.com/rgleason/watchdog_pi/issues/62

that happens on the boat.

[Corsair63]

Report of issue done in Github:

Windows 11 Pro ARM64 ver 22H2 22621.2215
OCPN 5.8.4-0+1637c28
Watchdog plugin 2.4.70.0
VDR plugin 1.3.28.0
Multiplexer - Shipmodul MiniPlex-3E-N2K - Firmware Version 3.18.2
GNSS - Digital Yacht GPS 160 at 38400 bps via multiplexer
Auto pilot / Compass - RayMarine via Sea Talk via Multiplexer
Wind vane - Nasa - Clipper-Target-Cruiser-V2.0 at 4800 via Multiplexer
Depth STW, Seawater temp, and some other data - Furuno GP1971F - Plotter/RADAR/Echo-sounder via N2K via multiplexer
AIS Rec / 2nd Echo sounder /2nd GNSS - at 38400 via multiplexer.

in second test mobile Pixel 5 app Bluetooth GPS output in BT COM port at 4800 bps.

also, when click on setup Course Alarm, never goes to the heading device reading, supposed to take first the COG figure. (when click on actual course)

first test:

• unable all inputs and only left the multiplexer data via UDP.
• no problem with GPS source
• exchanged to head device and gives course error.
• attached sequence and VDR file.
• WD_Course_GPS_XX, WD_Course_Compass_XX, VDR_Course.zip

second test:

• unable all inputs and only left BT COM port of mobile
• no problem with gps
• exchanged to head device and no success, but double check of input filters and found that not to be received HDM & HDG, removed these filter and alarm working fine.
• rotated mobile and alarm triggers.
• returning mobile to position and alarm reset.
• attached sequence and VDR file
• WD_Course_Compass_mobile_XX, GNSS_mobile, VDR_Course_mobile.zip.

third test:

without restarting OCPN , unable all inputs and only left the multiplexer data via UDP.

• alarm active and working.
• restarted OCPN and alarm not working. closed OCPN
• started setup software of multiplexer and unable convert HDG <-> HDT
• started OCPN and alarm WD course alarm not working
• right click on Course WD alarm setup, just click on ok , and after some seconds started working.
• when setup in multiplexer convert HDG <-> HDT unable to get alarm working in OCPN.
• in case of not converting course in multiplexer every time started OCPN the WD course alarm fails but exactly right click and click OK after some second come active and working.

what else to say??


Carmelo

Digging a little in above report, I've compared both compass sentences from both situations, and I have no clue about why mobile signal is immediately detected and not the multiplexer one?

Input from Multiplexer (Mx)
$HEHDT,287.0,T22
$HCHDG,287.00,,,0.04,E20

Input from Mobile (Mb)
$HCHDT,280.1,T22
$HCHDG,280.0,,,000.1,E22

Mx $HEHDT,287.0,T22
Mb $HCHDT,280.1,T22

Mx $HCHDG,280.0,,,000.1,E22
Mb $HCHDG,287.00,,,0.04,E20

From NMEA talker ID:
HC - Heading sensors: compass magnetic.
HE - Heading sensors: gyro, north seeking.

From NMEA sentences:
HDT - Heading true.
HDG - Heading, deviation and variation.

only difference in sentences is one from multiplexer starting with HE and the other one by HC when mobile starts both with HC.
NMEA sentences in both inputs have the same arrangement conforming NMEA standard.

[rgleason]

Corsair a new streamline version using libs is available here
https://cloudsmith.io/~opencpn/repos...es/?q=2.4.73.0


use watchdog 2.4.73.0 tarballs and pick yours to download and then import plugins from inside OpenCPN options > Plugins.


If you can test it would be appreciated.
Still need to make improvements etc.

[Corsair63]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Corsair a new streamline version using libs is available here
https://cloudsmith.io/~opencpn/repos...es/?q=2.4.73.0

downloaded and installed, it really surprises me when check in the version still gives me 2.4.70, so, uninstalled plugin and imported again new version

watchdog_pi-2.4.73.0-msvc-x86_64-wx32-10.0.20348-MSVC.tar.gz

now properly displaying version 2.4.73
disable all inputs and used your log file to test inputs.
desktop computer Windows 11 Pro Spanish x64.

same behavior, not able to set the course when selected "heading device" in the "off course alarm". but when set manually it follows the proper course.

also, not able to set wind as true relative & true absolute.

tested "off course alarm" with mobile GNSS and working but the same not able to set the course because when click on the actual course goes to COG instead.

I'll test tomorrow on the boat and later I'll try with tablet, and will see what happens?
I'll try to make a VDR file on board and I'll post it.

and still some strings not translated, when I guess that everything was translated in Crowdin.

[rgleason]

Thankyou corsair. We are refactoring all TP plugins frontend, and this is the first one. The pi bugs will get fixed. We do need to get the version fixed too.

Thankyou for your prompt test. Much appreciated.

[Corsair63]

Tested on board version WD 2.4.73.0

Windows 11 Pro ARM64 Spanish, latest patch Sep 12, 2023

same behavior as desktop at home, tested with all devices enable only Echo-sounder tested one by one.

• not able to set wind as True apparent neither True absolute.
• again, disappeared the depth reading while is dashboard is shown, attached three screenshots one with ES 0183 > Off > ES N2k. showing the alarm and dashboard showing the correct reading.
• course not able to set the course reading when click on actual course, always set to COG.

attached log file with the only input from UDP and set in OCPN the priority of signals.

[Corsair63]

something strange from WD 2.4.73.0

Windows 11 Pro x64 Spanish version.

new installation of OCPN, installed plugins except WD.

done an import plugin of latest alpha WD 2.4.73, splash screen that could be installed now and done.
installed version 2.4.73, working displayed in the plugin tab, etc.

if I click on update plugins when the splash screen says that list updated the version shown in this tab exchanges to 2.4.70 ???????

I've uninstalled and done the procedure again, and same behavior. after click on update list of plugins version exchange to 2.4.70 that has never been installed in this computer.

[ray122]

Feature request

1) Set an anchor with a waypoint from openCPN waypoints, not only from coordinates.

or/and

2) Add a bearing and a distance and calculate the actual position from the coordinates. This is how good apps on smartphone work.

Rationale:

The way to set an anchor watch in Watchdog is not too usefull. I'm single handled sailor, and when I drop the anchor, I have no time to play with openCPN. But when the anchor is set and you want to activate the watchdog anchor, it takes the position of the boat GPS, not the anchor.

I have 2 techniques to fix that issue, but none can be used with Watchdog:

1) -Most of the time I use a tripping line with a buoy. When the anchor is set and all good, I take a bearing of the buoy, and I drop a mark in openCPN with the ruler adjusting the bearing and the distance (~chain length). Then I setup the internal anchor watch of OpenCPN from that mark/waypoint. That works very well.

2) When I think about it (i.e. almost never), before running to the bow to drop the anchor I press mob on openCPN. Later on I transform the waypoint in an anchorwatch.

Note:
Suggestions 1 or 2 are independant, of course it would be nice to have both :-)

I'd rather work with watchdog instead of openCPN because I can execute a script that sends me a Telegram Message when the anchor drags. in regular OpenCPN anchorwatch you can't.

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by ray122

Feature request

1) Set an anchor with a waypoint from openCPN waypoints, not only from coordinates.

or/and

2) Add a bearing and a distance and calculate the actual position from the coordinates. This is how good apps on smartphone work.

Rationale:

The way to set an anchor watch in Watchdog is not too usefull. I'm single handled sailor, and when I drop the anchor, I have no time to play with openCPN. But when the anchor is set and you want to activate the watchdog anchor, it takes the position of the boat GPS, not the anchor.

I have 2 techniques to fix that issue, but none can be used with Watchdog:

1) -Most of the time I use a tripping line with a buoy. When the anchor is set and all good, I take a bearing of the buoy, and I drop a mark in openCPN with the ruler adjusting the bearing and the distance (~chain length). Then I setup the internal anchor watch of OpenCPN from that mark/waypoint. That works very well.

2) When I think about it (i.e. almost never), before running to the bow to drop the anchor I press mob on openCPN. Later on I transform the waypoint in an anchorwatch.

Note:
Suggestions 1 or 2 are independant, of course it would be nice to have both :-)

I'd rather work with watchdog instead of openCPN because I can execute a script that sends me a Telegram Message when the anchor drags. in regular OpenCPN anchorwatch you can't.

If you'd like some enhancement to the anchor alarm in Watchdog, please post a specific detailed and considered description of what you want with screenshots if helpful, on the Watchdog Issues in github. Thank you.

https://github.com/rgleason/watchdog_pi/issues or on Sean's Issues
https://github.com/seandepagnier/watchdog_pi/issues

Or if that is not possible, focus what you have written to make it simpler and more specific. What exactly do you want? Don't ask for the world, try to make it really simple to implement and it has a better chance of being done.


If it would help to refer to a phone app you really like, with a description of that function that might work.

[ray122]

Originally Posted by rgleason

If you'd like some enhancement to the anchor alarm in Watchdog, please post a specific detailed and considered description of what you want with screenshots if helpful, on the Watchdog Issues in github. Thank you.

https://github.com/rgleason/watchdog_pi/issues or on Sean's Issues
https://github.com/seandepagnier/watchdog_pi/issues

Or if that is not possible, focus what you have written to make it simpler and more specific. What exactly do you want? Don't ask for the world, try to make it really simple to implement and it has a better chance of being done.


If it would help to refer to a phone app you really like, with a description of that function that might work.

Thanks, I will. Sorry for bothering

[rgleason]

Thanks Ray for your excellent RFE post on github. Now we need a programmer to offer to help.

[Sabado]

Originally Posted by ray122

Feature request

1) Set an anchor with a waypoint from openCPN waypoints, not only from coordinates.

or/and

2) Add a bearing and a distance and calculate the actual position from the coordinates. This is how good apps on smartphone work.

Rationale:

The way to set an anchor watch in Watchdog is not too usefull. I'm single handled sailor, and when I drop the anchor, I have no time to play with openCPN. But when the anchor is set and you want to activate the watchdog anchor, it takes the position of the boat GPS, not the anchor.

I have 2 techniques to fix that issue, but none can be used with Watchdog:

1) -Most of the time I use a tripping line with a buoy. When the anchor is set and all good, I take a bearing of the buoy, and I drop a mark in openCPN with the ruler adjusting the bearing and the distance (~chain length). Then I setup the internal anchor watch of OpenCPN from that mark/waypoint. That works very well.

2) When I think about it (i.e. almost never), before running to the bow to drop the anchor I press mob on openCPN. Later on I transform the waypoint in an anchorwatch.

Note:
Suggestions 1 or 2 are independant, of course it would be nice to have both :-)

I'd rather work with watchdog instead of openCPN because I can execute a script that sends me a Telegram Message when the anchor drags. in regular OpenCPN anchorwatch you can't.

A more automated method would be great. For example, we drop the anchor, hit the button on Vesper, and it calculates everything based on the gps position related to the bow, the anchor roller height above the water, and the depth. It’s been pretty accurate.

The way we do it in OpenCPN is to always have it recording tracks and then we backdown on the anchor when set. That gives us our “max” radius and we can drop a mark where our tracks indicate we were when we dropped the anchor.

I really wish I knew something about programming so I could help put together a standalone anchor watch plugin. I only have ideas without the skills to make them a reality. [emoji23]

[rgleason]

These are some other techniques too.
Perhaps you can summarize and draw the interface you'd like as ray did earlier and post in his github thread that he started?

Perhaps the programmer will be inspired. BTW is there anyone willing to help with this programming.

[Sabado]

Originally Posted by rgleason

These are some other techniques too.
Perhaps you can summarize and draw the interface you'd like as earlier and post in his github thread that he started?

If you’re directing that to me, I would love to offer my vision. I just don’t want to come across as a greedy user because I really do appreciate everything you all are doing to help us cruisers!

[rgleason]

Yes please Sabado. Thankyou.