Recreational Marine Navigation
Equipment, software, techniques, information and more

Jul

4

Long-awaited Raymarine C70 update available

Filed Under navigation, software | Leave a Comment

I’ve had problems with timed transmit mode on my Raymarine C70 for years. The v4.29 software update seems to have finally solved the problem. Updated documentation is here.

May

15

Robotic Sailboats to cross the Atlantic

Filed Under NMEA0183, Uncategorized, navigation, weather | Leave a Comment

The Microtransat Challenge will feature seven robotic craft, without crew, competing in a race across the Atlantic Ocean.
This historic transatlantic race will run between September 29 and October 5, 2008 and start at Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The finishing line lies between the Northern tip of St. Lucia and the Southern tip of Martinique [...]

May

13

Linux Navigation Software Tease

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In a recent blog, I mentioned that I was developing Linux-based open source navigation software for Willow Garage. In the course of doing this, I discovered that CodeWeavers’ CrossOver Linux product allowed Coastal Explorer / Chart Navigator Pro to run in a win2k bottle. That doesn’t mean that NMEA devices work with programs running [...]

Apr

8

Cool Maretron N2K Analyzer; Fragile WSO100

Filed Under NMEA2000, devices, navigation | 1 Comment

I’m working on a NMEA2000 network. Because this system is highly customized, it is set up on a bench for software development and system debugging. In the following picture you can see that an Agilent E3610A DC power supply is providing 11.75 volts DC to the bus, via a yellow cable that ends [...]

Apr

2

Towards Customizable Open Source Navigation Software

Filed Under navigation, software | 2 Comments

I’m helping out at Willow Garage on their autonomous boat project. The onboard navigation computer actually drives the boat, and is supervised by an onboard mission planner. I’m working on a rudimentary remote navigation program so mission personnel can give high-level directions to the mission planner. Both the onboard computer and the remote [...]

Feb

22

Navigation without any instruments

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I happened upon the US Army Survival Manual on the Internet. Chapter 18 is devoted to navigation. Here is an excerpt: “If the moon rises before the sun has set, the illuminated side will be the west. If the moon rises after midnight, the illuminated side will be the east.” There are [...]

Dec

31

NavPak Pro review

Filed Under Practical Sailor, navigation, software | 4 Comments

NavPak Pro provides the most complete set of features for dead reckoning, however I didn’t recommend it for most sailors in this Practical Sailor review.

Sep

21

GPS Satellite Changes

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Two WAAS satellites have been decomissioned and two commissioned in their place. Satellite #51 on the North American east coast and satellite #48 on the west coast are the new satellites. WAAS GPSes need a firmware update, as do many chartplotters. Garmin tech support said that my old GPS 12 and GPS [...]

Sep

20

USB GPSes

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In previous blog I mentioned I returned a defective BU-353 to USGlobalSat. Their web site says that if no problem is found for an RMA’d product that a $30 charge will be applied. They didn’t find the problem I experienced and sent me an document that at first looked like an invoice for [...]

Jul

4

Open source autopilot

Filed Under navigation | 3 Comments

Paparazzi is a free and open-source hardware and software project intended to create an autopilot system for aircraft. If anyone is interested in adapting it for use on a boat, please contact me (Mike.)

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