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GPSout Help


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Hi,

I need help and I would like to know what to do. I have 2 PC, both with XP, connected each other through an ADSL modem, one (where is FS) via USB cable to the modem and the other via crossover cable. My modem works like a HUB, each PC have a different IP address and are independient but can see each other.

In the main PC I have FS2002, FSUIPC 2.975 and the GPSout 2.55.

In the other PC I have WideFS 5.5 and Flitestar 7.5

I have tried as is indicated in the gpsout readme and gpsout.ini files but I can't get the flitestar connected. Can you tell me please if under my actual configuration can I make it work or if I have to make a different connection?.

I also have a Palm Vx connected to the FS PC via COM1. Do you know if I can use it and what kind of software do I need?

Thanks

Alejandro

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I have tried as is indicated in the gpsout readme and gpsout.ini files but I can't get the flitestar connected. Can you tell me please if under my actual configuration can I make it work or if I have to make a different connection?.

It sounds like you've connected your PCs as a Network. There are no IP addresses used in a one-to-one serial connection. It's just three wires -- read, write and common, with the read and write crossed over.

GPSout and FliteStar connect by serial cable. there is no GPS input to FliteStar other than on a serial port as far as I know. Did you check?

The README file I supply clearly says "connect your flying PC to your moving map PC with a serial "null modem" cable (ie send and receive crossed over), and configure your map program accordingly.". I do not know of any NMEA standard for GPS connection via Network, whether Ethernet or USB or any other means. I think it only works with a simple dedicated COM port (serial) connection.

If you know of a moving map application which can receive standard GPS input by any other means please let me have full details, and also the GPS devices which can provide such output.

Have you checked the FliteStar documentation to see how it wants the connection? My FliteMap only allows COM ports to be selected, with selectable line speed. You can run it in test mode to see what is arriving and whether it is accepted.

I also have a Palm Vx connected to the FS PC via COM1. Do you know if I can use it and what kind of software do I need?

Sorry, I have no idea. I didn't realise you could get Palm PDAs with ordinary COM ports -- my Garmin iQue 3600 (using Palm OS 5) has only got the usual USB connection for HotSync.

Regards,

Pete

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Thanks for your quick respond. I think that I twisted the information in the readme file. Now I understood and I have to buy a cable to connect both PC via COM ports and try again.

And about the Palm, yes, my Palm Vx cradle connects to my PC via COM ports, actualy I have it connected in COM1, Palms after my model connect via USB. I will try to find a moving map software to my Palm and try to connect it with the FS with GPSout.

Thanks again for your help and your products.

Best regards.

Alejandro

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And about the Palm, yes, my Palm Vx cradle connects to my PC via COM ports, actualy I have it connected in COM1, Palms after my model connect via USB. I will try to find a moving map software to my Palm and try to connect it with the FS with GPSout.

Okayplease let us know if you do. there may be others interested too!

Regards,

Pete

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Hi Pete,

I am back again after doing a test with my Palm Vx. The test was positive. I made my Palm works with FS like a GPS. I used these softwares, Fly and Atlas of GPS Pilot and your module GPSout. This is the first test and for that I set in sentence (in GPSout) all the options. My port is COM1 and 4800 in speed. Know I'm overflying KSFO and in my Palm the moving map is showing the position, speed and heading to the reference point.

This is great, it is like flying with a real GPS.

Best regards

Alejandro

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I am back again after doing a test with my Palm Vx. The test was positive. I made my Palm works with FS like a GPS. I used these softwares, Fly and Atlas of GPS Pilot and your module GPSout. This is the first test and for that I set in sentence (in GPSout) all the options. My port is COM1 and 4800 in speed. Know I'm overflying KSFO and in my Palm the moving map is showing the position, speed and heading to the reference point.

Sounds good. But it won't be so efficient for FS sending all of the sentences if only one or two will do. Can you find out what sentences the programs actually need? If it isn't documented, then by trial-and-error I presume.

Then I'll put some details in the GPSout "read.me" for others. Oh, and the full names and web-sites for the programs too, please.

Thanks & Good flying! :)

Pete

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  • 2 weeks later...

Sorry for being late, I was out the city. But now I'm back again.

Ok, today I will try what sentences are the proper ones in order to be efficient in the communication between the Palm and the FS, after that I will let you know.

About the source of the programs used in the Palm pilot, they are payware and you can find them in this link:

http://www.gpspilot.com/

The program is good. It comes with a sample map of the World and SF bay, but there is a freeware program named Cartographer which can be used to convert maps in BMP format into PSB format. There is other link to a NAVAID and waypoints generator for free using information from the FAA and the DADIF.

As I said, these programs are for pay, but I keep looking for a freeware moving map program to post it here.

For now, I keep trying the proper set for GPSout.

Best regards

Alejandro

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Hi again,

Pete, I made the test and here are the results:

RMC give Heading, position, speed but no altitude

RMA nothing

GPRMZ Heading, position, speed but no altitude

RMC+GPRMZ Heading, position, speed but no altitude

GLL nothing

GGA Altitute and position but no heading or speed

AV400 nothing

So, the best setting for Sentence is using RMC+GGA

About the speed I tested a wide range, and the best value is 4800bps. It also worked with 9600 but I was a little bit inestable, I mean, sometimes works and sometimes not, but with 4800bps works fine. Above 9600bps it doesn't work.

I hope this information will be usefull for you and for others.

Best regards,

Alejandro

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Yea, the AV400 is only for connecting a real Garmin Aviation GPS (and probably other brand) to FS.

Has anyone actually tried any other than Garmin? The AV400 protocol is also called "King" (would make you think some Bendix/King GPS units might work, or..?) and it was also called "ARNav".

I'd be very interested in hearing if the AV400 works for people, Pete added it as per my request for the Garmin, but maybe it works for others too. It makes a great great Garmin training device.

Pete btw, if you come to Scandinavia one of these days, you are welcome to test our C172 sim at our aviation club (http://www.malminilmailukerho.net, EFHF)

aag.sized.jpg

All I can say, FSUIPC and GPSOut and these things.. oh boy what they can do to this $50 game!

/Tuomas

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  • 2 weeks later...

Sorry for the delay in replying -- I've been on holiday with no Internet access. I'm just trying to catch up with an enormous backlog now!

Pete, I made the test and here are the results ...

So, the best setting for Sentence is using RMC+GGA

About the speed I tested a wide range, and the best value is 4800bps.

...

I hope this information will be usefull for you and for others.

Thanks! I'll add the details to the GPSout readme!

Regards,

Pete

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