"Steve" wrote in message
...
Thanks Doug, not the answer i was looking for but I appreciate the lead to
a
solution.

Yes, I know of Meindert muliplexers but never looked into them for a
solution to my situation..

I'll look through my book marks or hope to hear from Meindert in this
post.

Hi Steve,

I'm afraid VirtualPlex doesn't help you out. This software creates, like
Doug said, multiple virtual ports from one real (com or USB-serial) port.
What you need is something to work the other way around, but inside the
computer.

Meindert

Thanks Doug, not the answer i was looking for but I appreciate the lead to a
solution.

Yes, I know of Meindert muliplexers but never looked into them for a
solution to my situation..

I'll look through my book marks or hope to hear from Meindert in this post.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Yes. And unfortunately you are out of luck. The Capn uses a single port
for input and output. I think Meindert mentioned that his new VirtualPlex
product can handle this though.

Doug

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I have a dedicated GPS module on the USB port of my laptop. Works great
and
the Capn finds the data from the GPS without a problem.. This is a one way
communication with the laptop. GPS talker, Laptop Listener.

However, if I want to send course correction via NMEA 183 sentence, they
have to go out a serial port.

I can't seem to find a way to tell The Capn to send this info out a
standard
serial port, once it finds the GPS data on the USB port.

I haven't been able to get any help for Nautical Technologies since I
haven't upgraded my software since v. 7.x came out. My laptop isn't fast
enough to run the lastest version.

Anyone have any experience with this or suggestions??

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

In article , says...
I have a dedicated GPS module on the USB port of my laptop. Works great and
the Capn finds the data from the GPS without a problem.. This is a one way
communication with the laptop. GPS talker, Laptop Listener.

However, if I want to send course correction via NMEA 183 sentence, they
have to go out a serial port.

I can't seem to find a way to tell The Capn to send this info out a standard
serial port, once it finds the GPS data on the USB port.
If you have a real 9 pin serial port on the laptop, get a used garmin
12xl for $75 and it will talk and listen.

If not, you'll need a pcmcia serial card by either quatech or socket,
available on ebay for about $60.

rgds-pg

I don't see how the PCMCIA would let my nav software talk to my Autopilot..
The Crapn software wants to talk to the USB port where it finds the GPS
input data.

If the Garmin 12xl is a handheld, then I have problems using it below deck
at my nav station (been there done that) because of all the deck hardware
above the nav station..

What I really think I need is a good basic fixed mount GPS with an external
antenna. Don't need a chart plotter, etc. because I want to use my
navigation software on the laptop.. All of my digital charts are BSB and I
don't want to change to another format.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Steve wrote:

I don't see how the PCMCIA would let my nav software talk to my Autopilot..
The Crapn software wants to talk to the USB port where it finds the GPS
input data.

If the Garmin 12xl is a handheld, then I have problems using it below deck
at my nav station (been there done that) because of all the deck hardware
above the nav station..

What I really think I need is a good basic fixed mount GPS with an external
antenna. Don't need a chart plotter, etc. because I want to use my
navigation software on the laptop.. All of my digital charts are BSB and I
don't want to change to another format.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

The Garmin 12XL is a handheld with all the features you'd expect to find
on an older fixed mount non mapping GPS except for external alarm and MOB
switch.

It accepts 12V power directly without a voltage converter. It has a socket
for an external antennae. It has an audiable beeper for waypoint arrival
etc.

Find yourself ANY active 5V GPS antennae, fit it on deck, run the lead
below and fit a matching connector for the GPS12XL, get the bracket for
the gps and a power/data plug from pfranc.com. Mount a 9 pin female D
connector handy for the PC and wire it to the GPS, with a switch to either
feed NMEA0183 to the autopilot from the PC output, or the GPS output, or
to disconnect the autopilot and feed the PC output back to the GPS input
so you can upload waypoints then put the GPS in control and switch the PC
off in rough weather or for powersaving on passage offshore.

I've set up a similar arrangement for a friend, and its been used a lot
this year.

N.B. the GPS12 does NOT run on 12V and does NOT have the external antennae
socket. You NEED the XL model!
--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk [at]=@, [dash]=- &
[dot]=.
*Warning* SPAM TRAP set in header, Use email address in sig. if you must.
'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Uffa Fox designed, All varnished hot moulded
wooden racing dinghy circa. 1961

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 09:11:11 -0800, "Steve" wrote:

What I really think I need is a good basic fixed mount GPS with an external
antenna. Don't need a chart plotter, etc. because I want to use my
navigation software on the laptop.. All of my digital charts are BSB and I
don't want to change to another format.

If You need the display, get something used like
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=2443591 083

But, if You just want Your current setup but using a serial GPS, get a
Raymarine 112 or 114 intelligent GPS antenna. Couldn't be simpler,
mount it outdoors, give it 12 VDC and it will give You NMEA GPS
sentences back. Just a cable and a box inside to split serial and
12VDC. And they are really cheap sometimes on ebay, I bought a 114
(DGPS) for under 200 USD.

Beware though that some models are only SeaTalk, which doesn't do it
for You. The 112 is available in two versions, while the 114 is
configurable to either NMEA or SeaTalk.


/Marcus

--
Marcus AAkesson
Gothenburg Callsigns: SM6XFN & SB4779
Sweden
Keep the world clean - no HTML in news or mail !

Steve wrote:

I don't see how the PCMCIA would let my nav software talk to my Autopilot..
The Crapn software wants to talk to the USB port where it finds the GPS
input data.

If the Garmin 12xl is a handheld, then I have problems using it below deck
at my nav station (been there done that) because of all the deck hardware
above the nav station..

What I really think I need is a good basic fixed mount GPS with an external
antenna. Don't need a chart plotter, etc. because I want to use my
navigation software on the laptop.. All of my digital charts are BSB and I
don't want to change to another format.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

The Garmin 12XL is a handheld with all the features you'd expect to find
on an older fixed mount non mapping GPS except for external alarm and MOB
switch.

It accepts 12V power directly without a voltage converter. It has a socket
for an external antennae. It has an audiable beeper for waypoint arrival
etc.

Find yourself ANY active 5V GPS antennae, fit it on deck, run the lead
below and fit a matching connector for the GPS12XL, get the bracket for
the gps and a power/data plug from pfranc.com. Mount a 9 pin female D
connector handy for the PC and wire it to the GPS, with a switch to either
feed NMEA0183 to the autopilot from the PC output, or the GPS output, or
to disconnect the autopilot and feed the PC output back to the GPS input
so you can upload waypoints then put the GPS in control and switch the PC
off in rough weather or for powersaving on passage offshore.

I've set up a similar arrangement for a friend, and its been used a lot
this year.

N.B. the GPS12 does NOT run on 12V and does NOT have the external antennae
socket. You NEED the XL model!
--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk [at]=@, [dash]=- &
[dot]=.
*Warning* SPAM TRAP set in header, Use email address in sig. if you must.
'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Uffa Fox designed, All varnished hot moulded
wooden racing dinghy circa. 1961

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 09:11:11 -0800, "Steve" wrote:

What I really think I need is a good basic fixed mount GPS with an external
antenna. Don't need a chart plotter, etc. because I want to use my
navigation software on the laptop.. All of my digital charts are BSB and I
don't want to change to another format.

If You need the display, get something used like
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=2443591 083

But, if You just want Your current setup but using a serial GPS, get a
Raymarine 112 or 114 intelligent GPS antenna. Couldn't be simpler,
mount it outdoors, give it 12 VDC and it will give You NMEA GPS
sentences back. Just a cable and a box inside to split serial and
12VDC. And they are really cheap sometimes on ebay, I bought a 114
(DGPS) for under 200 USD.

Beware though that some models are only SeaTalk, which doesn't do it
for You. The 112 is available in two versions, while the 114 is
configurable to either NMEA or SeaTalk.


/Marcus

--
Marcus AAkesson
Gothenburg Callsigns: SM6XFN & SB4779
Sweden
Keep the world clean - no HTML in news or mail !

I don't see how the PCMCIA would let my nav software talk to my Autopilot..
The Crapn software wants to talk to the USB port where it finds the GPS
input data.

If the Garmin 12xl is a handheld, then I have problems using it below deck
at my nav station (been there done that) because of all the deck hardware
above the nav station..

What I really think I need is a good basic fixed mount GPS with an external
antenna. Don't need a chart plotter, etc. because I want to use my
navigation software on the laptop.. All of my digital charts are BSB and I
don't want to change to another format.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions