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+--- Forum: MacENC & GPSNavX (https://macsailing.net/mybb/forum-5.html)
+--- Thread: Connecting to NMEA2000 from MacENC (/thread-2002.html)
- antipole - May 6, 2012
Typically, I prepare for a passage using MacENC and then, when ready to sail, turn on my instrumentation system (not earlier to save power). At this point I discover on opening the GPS window that MacENC does not have the Actisense NMEA 2000 interface set up. I have found no way around this, short of quitting MacENC and re-launching - an irritation when I need to focus on getting under way.
Does anybody know any way of getting MacENC to do its initialisation of the Actisense interface? Rich: could MacENC spot the interface appearing and do its thing then, rather than on launch? Otherwise, some way of forcing it, perhaps when opening the GPS/Instrumentation windows would be desirable.
This is not a major problem, but a solution would really help with usability - thanks
Tony
- GPSNavX - May 6, 2012
Closing and re-opening the GPS panel should allow MacENC to send the Actisense initialization to the NGT-1. This assumes "Disconnect When Closed" is checked in the MacENC Preferences "GPS" section. I didn't think the N2K backbone needed to be powered up to initialize the NGT-1. At least not my experience.
Now if the Actisense NGT-1 is not plugged into the Mac at the time MacENC is started, then the virtual serial port will not be available and of course MacENC has no way to know about it.
- antipole - May 7, 2012
As you say, Rick. If the Actisense is plugged in when MacENC starts up, then it works fine.
I get caught as in your second paragraph, where I only plug the Actisesne USB connector in when I realise I forgot. Is it possible to check at GPS window open time and if the interface has appeared and is uninitialised, to initialise it? This really is a refinement and not essential to life!
Tony
- antipole - May 12, 2012
Yes - you are correct. The issue arises if the USB interface is not plugged in when MacENC is launched.
Is there any way MacENC can spot it being plugged in? Or look for it if the GPS window is opened when it does not already have a port connected?
- GPSNavX - May 12, 2012
That could be something I could add in a future release.