GPS Setup & Status

GPS Setup


Please refer to

GPS Status

The default Ownship icon is rendered as grey if there is no valid gps position fix available and like this when a gps fix is available

The GPS status is also indicated all the way to the right along the top of the screen, together with the North Up/ Course Up Indicator, unless this position is covered by the floating ToolBar. The GPS status is then found bottom left.

This windows visibility is user settable in Options→User Interface→ Show Compass/GPS Status Window. Short cut “Ctrl-I
The status icons should be interpreted as follows:

No GPS data at all, or position not available.

GPS position available, and good for navigation

Active/Valid GPS data + GPS reporting 1 - 4 satellites, if available from GPS receiver.

Active/Valid GPS data + GPS reporting 5 - 9 satellites, if available from GPS receiver.

Active/Valid GPS data + GPS reporting 10+ satellites, if available from GPS receiver.

In real life, various gps receivers may behave slightly different, especially when starting up and finding satellites.

The small dialog, containing the GPS indicator and the Course Up / North Up indicator, can be toggled on/off with the “Ctrl+i” shortcut.

The GPS status, including available satellites, is also available as an instrument on the DashBoard.

GPS and low accuracy charts.

OpenCPN is checking loaded charts for accuracy as far as possible. If there is a problem with a chart, the chart info box that becomes visible when holding the cursor over the chart rectangle in the chart bar, will say ” Warning: Chart georef accuracy is poor.”

A visual warning is that Own Ship turns from Red to Yellow when receiving a gps signal.

First is a real scale vector version and then. the default OwnShip bitmap

There is no quick fix for a bad chart, but try to switch to another chart if using single mode chart display. If quilting is on, right-click on the chart button in the chart-bar and select “Hide this chart”. Both suggestions assumes that the bad chart can be replaced by other charts, which of course isn't always possible.