BF430 Idiots Guide

[Variable]

Hi,

I have purchased a BF430, and so as to keep my newbie questions to a minimum, could someone post an idiots guide here (as against a link to a download server) please?

This is the data I am trying to read remotely:

I would like to feed ship automatic id system (AIS) signals from a dedicated 162 MHz AIS RX to a BF430 and into the internet, to be read remotely by ShipPlotter software

The AIS receiver output data specs are here

Thanks.

[z80]

what data is that?

If you use the search button you will find that Fandtm66 has posted all you need.

[Variable]

Thanks, I have made a start and found the BF through my switch using IPsearch.

I just can't get my head around how to tell the BF which server, script and port to send the data to?

Any advice appreciated.

[fandtm666]

ok you need the computer with the ship plotter running vsport

what vsport does is setup a virtual comport and links the bf430 unit to that port

then the ais system talks to the bfunit connected to the comport on that computer sends the signal via ip to the virtual com port on ship plotter

so

ais >>comport >>bf unit >>>network >>>>vsport >>>ship plotter

[jimbo123]

Hi fandtm666, Is vsport a Windows or Linux/Unix proggy ?

[z80]

windows mate.

[fandtm666]

windows mate you enter the ip and port of the unit and it will creat a virtual com port on the machine as if it is connected directly.

should the remote setup be on a dynamic ip then all you do is utilise the dyndns setup with in the unit and then use it.

[jimbo123]

windows mate.

Always looking

[z80]

Always looking

you'll be lookin' for a while


there's a few more docs about BF units here:-

[Variable]

Thanks Z and fan, nothing like an immediate response!

I will go away and try to make it work.

Thanks again.

[LeroyPatrol]

Always looking

Maybe you could run vmware on a windows machine and map the comm port to a vm running linux.

Leroy

[jimbo123]

Maybe you could run vmware on a windows machine and map the comm port to a vm running linux.

Leroy

Wrong way round dude

[fandtm666]

careful not to brick it Variable because i can tell you from experience they are one bitch to try and revive.

[z80]

Thanks Z and fan, nothing like an immediate response!

I will go away and try to make it work.

Thanks again.

No probs, but you have to tell us just how well you succeeded through sheer perserverance and raw talent ....

[Variable]

Thanks to you guys I have made good progress getting my BF to work.

I have been able to set it up and a desktop PC on the same network is receiving the ship data.

But, I would like the ship program to run on a laptop, and when I try to create a VSport on the laptop, it comes up with an error message, "illegal converter."

Any ideas please?

V.

[z80]

You probably already have something connected to the bf !
Or you have the ip,port wrong.

Or you are firewalled.

Or you have two copies of VSport running.

But it is definitely a user error.

[Variable]

z you're a legend.

I uninstalled VSport and reinstalled it without anything running or connected.

Where's ya PayPal donation button?

[z80]

z you're a legend.

I uninstalled VSport and reinstalled it without anything running or connected.

Where's ya PayPal donation button?

If the site has helped you,then press the upgrade button above.

[z80]

LOL..variable I think you qualify for the raffle mate...

[Variable]

Thanks to z and fan and Austech all systems are now green!

I set it up as a server and others are downloading my ship data. No VSport required. I had to put the BF's mac in the router DMZ to get a public ip.

I was so impressed with the almost instantaneous technical help I got here, that I upgraded my membership.

Thanks again