FS9.1, GPSout and PocketFMS

[PJH]

Dear Sir,

can you help with What I am missing with this setup?

I have ..

Dell 8400, 3.0 GHz CPU, 1 GB Ram, ATI Radeon X300 Graphics adapter, FS9.1. I also have FSUIPC 3.5 (purchsed), GPSout and PocketFMS

I'm not trying to use 2 computers only the Dell with 2 monitors, both of which run from the Radeon card.

FS runs on the primary monitor, PocketFMS on the secondary monitor

FS runs very well on this setup, no problems.

but - although Portmon.exe shows plenty of output from GPSOut there's no apparent input (connection?) to the PocketFMS from GPSOut

I have taken care to ensure the speeds, ports etc. are the same in both programs' setup and .ini files

I have also tried as many combinations as possible

Do I have to have WideFS or similar also running?

Much obliged for any information you may have, regards, P J Huggins.

[kobra]

It looks like you're trying to run GPSout and PocketFMS on the same computer. That's not how GPSout works. It runs over a serial connection to an external GPS. (example: I run a Garmin 295 connected to the serial port on my computer) You might be able to get it to work if PocketFMS in on another system.

[Pete Dowson]

but - although Portmon.exe shows plenty of output from GPSOut there's no apparent input (connection?) to the PocketFMS from GPSOut

I have taken care to ensure the speeds, ports etc. are the same in both programs' setup and .ini files

You cannot use the SAME port for both programs! Only one program can own the port at one time. GPSout will be using it to OUTPUT stuff on, your other program will need to be set to use another port to INPUT stuff on. You's then need to link the two ports with a "NULL modem" cable. Please read the little bit of documentation I do supply.

If you are using WinXP then you could use a pair of "virtual" ports instead. There's a freeware virtual port driver included in the latest GPSout ZIP for just such a purpose. It creates a pair of ports and links them together internally -- you don't need to then use any "real" ports, nor a cable.

Regards,

Pete

[PJH]

Thank you both for your (very) prompt replies.

I am indeed running FS and PocketFMS on one and the same computer. The OS is Windows XP.

I have now been successful in getting this setup to work!

I had read all the instructions with GPSOut and had tried many combinations of this with and without the port emulator, MixW, enclosed with GPSOut.

I had been trying with MixW linking ports 1 and 2, without success. When this pairing didn't work I assumed that MixW was unnecessary. This was the pairing WinXP offered as default, so naturally I went with this.

Following your replies I tried yet again, this time with very different port numbers linked and it all worked properly.

FYI the successful port pair are 5 and 6.

So, I now have the extremely useful PocketFMS moving map, flight planning etc. program running off the information from FS2004 all on the same computer.

Once again, thanks very much for your assistance, much obliged.

P J Huggins.

[Pete Dowson]

I had been trying with MixW linking ports 1 and 2, without success.

I wouldn't have thought MixW would be able to get hold of COM1 and COM2. These would normally be already used -- or doesn't your PC have any COM or USB ports?

Following your replies I tried yet again, this time with very different port numbers linked and it all worked properly.

FYI the successful port pair are 5 and 6.

This is merely because COM1 to COM4 are evidently already taken. It will be different on dsifferent PCs. MixW just adds two more ports. The numbers the are allocated depends upon Windows and what ports it has already assigned. Always check the devices you have already -- Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Device Manager.

Regards,

Pete

[PJH]

Pete,

The Dell has 8 USB 2.0 and 1 serial 9 pin connector, Com1.

When I first ran MixW it offered ports 1 and 2, so I stayed with this apparently default choice, knowing no different (then).

I had checked in the Device Manager where COM1 was listed as a "Communications Port".

You're right in saying that Com1 was already taken (i.e. by the serial 9 pin connector) but my thinking then was that as this was COM1 and PocketFMS seemed to me to require a connection to a port, this was a good choice. As it turned out it was no such thing.

However, all's well that ends well and I appreciate your help.

Regards Pete Huggins

[TMetzinger]

Thanks to the new capabilities, I have my Electronic Flight Bag now running JeppView FliteDeck with NO WIRES!

It's the greatest thing ever.

Now it's on to add some buttons to give it the ability to be an instructor station too!

Thanks so much! Can I send you some more money?

-Tim Metzinger

[Pete Dowson]

Thanks to the new capabilities, I have my Electronic Flight Bag now running JeppView FliteDeck with NO WIRES!

JeppView FliteDeck is new to me. I have FliteMap. Can you tell me more? I did look for details of their Electronic Flight Bag a few weeks ago but found nothing more than some marketing spiel and no useful technical data or pricing and so on. Talking with friends at PFC I got the impression that it wasn't really ready yet.

Thanks so much! Can I send you some more money?

Well, it is quite unnecessary, but if it helps me buy my own Jeppesen stuff, and you do really feel generous, then you can always donate via PayPal. It goes to my email address petedowson@btconnect.com. But I won't be offended in any way should you not, so don't worry! ;-)

Regards,

Pete