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hoolie · 08-09-2012, 03:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by lateral

G'day all,
I have no experience using radar so bear with my ignorance.
I realize a "bit" of what you guys do, is not for necessity, but rather just the challenge of doing it. But if you already have a MFD that can overlay, why do you want to do it on OpenCPN. Redundancy?
Or radar at the secondary sheltered helm?

But we don't all have Simrad chartplotters and would prefer to enjoy the overlay features WITHOUT having to buy an expensive MFD.
OpenCPN with Dave's plug-in should enable us to do this using our existing PC based systems.

witzgall · 08-09-2012, 04:47

I have a Simrad NSS7, which lives in the cockpit. It is the smallest, lowest priced one they offer, and a great chartplotter for the sailor, if you also ave their autopilot, as it takes place of the control head and offers very tight integration with the AP.

So for us, it would be allow the use of the Radar down below. I just built a 12v computer and we have a 23" tv as the screen. Also, since some of the charts I have are on OpenCPN and NOT on the NSS7, I would have radar overlay with them. That would be VERY helpful, especially to verify the carts accuracy when approaching a new coastline.

Chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by lateral

G'day all,
I have no experience using radar so bear with my ignorance.
I realize a "bit" of what you guys do, is not for necessity, but rather just the challenge of doing it. But if you already have a MFD that can overlay, why do you want to do it on OpenCPN. Redundancy?
Or radar at the secondary sheltered helm?

lateral · 08-09-2012, 04:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by lateral

G'day all,
I have no experience using radar so bear with my ignorance.
I realize a "bit" of what you guys do, is not for necessity, but rather just the challenge of doing it. But if you already have a MFD that can overlay, why do you want to do it on OpenCPN. Redundancy?
Or radar at the secondary sheltered helm?

I thought Witzgall had an MFD. Obviously it must be a plotter only.
That I can understand. Along with climbing mountains....just 'cos they are there.

lateral · 08-09-2012, 04:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by witzgall

I have a Simrad NSS7, which lives in the cockpit. It is the smallest, lowest priced one they offer, and a great chartplotter for the sailor, if you also ave their autopilot, as it takes place of the control head and offers very tight integration with the AP.

So for us, it would be allow the use of the Radar down below. I just built a 12v computer and we have a 23" tv as the screen. Also, since some of the charts I have are on OpenCPN and NOT on the NSS7, I would have radar overlay with them. That would be VERY helpful, especially to verify the carts accuracy when approaching a new coastline.

Chris

Cheers,
Now i understand your situation. Does the radome plug into the NSS7 or interface with the PC?
I have a Furuno MFD that overlays radar , but also, I have better charts on OpenCpn
that I cannot overlay on. Same story.

bdbcat · 08-09-2012, 06:16

Hi guys...

Nice discussion.
For me, the "holy grail" of radar display is chart overlay capability. The increased situational awareness of seeing those AIS targets and buoys line up with the corresponding echos coming from the radar gives an enormous feeling of "closure", if you will. The situation is well understood, and we are free to navigate accordingly.

Story: Crossing the English Channel once on a fast cat ferry as a passenger with observation window behind helm station. Of course I watched from there. Where else would I be?

Dead fog, 40 kts, like a duck crossing a freeway. We swerved and jinked, never slowing down, as the Capt. and F.O worked the ECDIS. They picked targets, all on radar back then (1995), evaluated CPA, tweaked the autopilot, and we never slowed down. Never saw much, either.

I was sold. That is the way to navigate in tough spots.

So, here we are 15 years later, with enough CPU capability onboard moderate sized yachts to do the same things . And we shall.

Cheers
Dave

deandavis1 · 09-09-2012, 04:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by witzgall

Hi all;

I would like to know if there would be any interest in a Simrad/Lowrance BR24 plugin. They have overpriced interface licenses, which has kept the paid software options either undeveloped or out of reach - over $1k to the developer per seat if I remember correctly.

I am not asking as a developer, but as an interested user. We have a Simrad chartplotter, and I just bought a very lightly used BR24 scanner to be installed sometime soon.

Chris

Chris in regards to BR24 check out this thread

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ion-77651.html

ChuckSK · 09-09-2012, 16:21

Here are a couple clips of OpenCPN with gradar crossing from Marina del Rey to Cherry Cove, Catalina.

Chuck

bdbcat · 09-09-2012, 20:07

Chuck...

Wow! Way cool. I have not had the opportunity to see the interaction on OpenCPN between AIS targets and radar overlay in real life yet. Stuck inland at a dock for a few more weeks...

So, I can see that we need more work on image processing, smoothing, etc.

How is the reliability of the PlugIn? Crash much? Always start and find the radar?

Thanks for the graphic feedback
Dave

jonasaberg · 09-09-2012, 23:36

Could it be a an idea to have a way to quickly change the radar imagery to spot what is the radar echo, and the chart-info.

Maybe ctrl+R shifting through red-green-off?

Sorry is this is already implemented - when testing the plug in I only get a button to click that opens a window with a log. The tools/plugin/preferences button for the Radar plug-in is empty.

Code:

     0: UpdateState:  PluginState  Activate  (1)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     1: UpdateState:  PluginState  Activate  (1)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     2: UpdateState:  PluginState  Activate  (1)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     3: UpdateState:  PluginState  Activate  (1)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     4: UpdateState:  PluginState  Activate  (1)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     5: UpdateState:  PluginState  Activate  (1)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     6: UpdateState:  PluginState  Activate  (1)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     7: UpdateState:  PluginState  TX Active  (6)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     8: UpdateState:  PluginState  TX Active  (6)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
     9: v_scale_ppm:  0.000386804  Center: 662 376
    10: UpdateState:  PluginState  Standby  (3)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
    11: UpdateState:  PluginState  TX Active  (6)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)
    12: UpdateState:  PluginState  Activate  (1)   Scanner state:  Unknown  (0)

Would it be possible to make a "Radar simulator" that sends data in such a way that the control.interface in OpenCPN could be tested for us less fortunate that don't have a radome?

/Jonas

ChuckSK · 10-09-2012, 07:57

Hi Dave

Gradar is very solid. If the dome is powered up before OpenCPN is started, the plugin sees the signal every time. I have not done much testing on the various start-up scenarios and sequences. Now that I have a reliable setup, I will try to explore the operational and start-up boundaries.

Thanks for the great radar program.

Chuck

spiv · 10-09-2012, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by lateral

G'day all,
I have no experience using radar so bear with my ignorance.
I realize a "bit" of what you guys do, is not for necessity, but rather just the challenge of doing it. But if you already have a MFD that can overlay, why do you want to do it on OpenCPN. Redundancy?
Or radar at the secondary sheltered helm?

I am looking forward to the day when I can sell/ throw away my Furuno MFD and replace it with a 23" monitor running my OpenCPN program.

I will have multiple displays, one in the cockpit and another on a tablet that will also be able to control the OpenCPN through an android app (BTW, this is already possible).

That is why I participated in the development of the Radar plugin with a small donation and will continue to do so if asked to develop other interfaces, hopefully a Furuno one will be possible soon, the alternative would be to sell the whole Furuno setup..........

lateral · 10-09-2012, 14:05

G'day Stefano,
I am in a similar situation, having a Furuno RDP148 (7") in the cockpit with radome to be on a pole on the pushpit. Pretty small screen for my old eyes so radar on laptop woould be attractive. I still have higher priorities for my boat bucks at this point, so can't help with dvlpmt costs. Can't be frivolous, or she won't splash! Work is a little sparse right now too.
Bravo to those crunching the code.

myocean · 21-09-2012, 12:20

Guys, this is a great project!
I am about the equip my boat with new electronics (until March) and would like a solution like this very much. I like the simplicity and flexibility of a PC based approach.
My favorite radar would be a Simrad but if this is not implemented during this winter I can even go for a Garmin. (I am open to donate for a coming Simrad purchase for the project)
I can imagine that this kind of activities will, one day, force the radar makers to support alternative solutions like OpenCPN. Otherwise the competitors will take this share of the market.
Ulf

deandavis1 · 21-09-2012, 16:21

Hi Bdbcat, I know there is another thread discussing broadband radar. What do you think the chances are of getting a Navico 4G plugin development working if more donations are made?

bdbcat · 21-09-2012, 16:33

deandavis1...

Thanks for your interest. We will shortly start a donation drive to obtain a Navico 4G, and start the port. There has already been some excellent work done with this unit, so I expect success.

There are many potential users excited by the possibilities of broadband radar overlay in OpenCPN, including me

Dave

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