FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)WinGPS Pro - DKW1800 - DKW Friesland
Questions and answersQuestion 001: There is a constant difference at all charts between my chart position and my real position (50 - 150m). Also the GPS position differs from the position indicated in the status bar of WinGPS Pro.
Answer: Probably the chart datum of your GPS is not the same as in WinGPS Pro. Check File/Setup/Navigation/Navigation/GPS Datum and select the same datum as your GPS.
More info: The chart datum defines a model of the curvature of the earth. WGS84 is standard these days. You can also set the prefered of your GPS by its menu. The datum of the charts used by WinGPS Pro can and may differ from the GPS-datum setting. WinGPS Pro corrects this.
Question 002: My position on a certain Mercator chart is not accurate. There is a difference of several pixels.
Answer: You can calibrate this chart again to improve accuracy with file/calibrate bitmap.
More info: Then load the chart with Load BitMap. Check the Datum, Pos1 and Pos2. With a Mercator projection the lines must be exactly vertical. Use Paint Shop Pro to correct small rotations.
For a non-Mercator chart use 3 point calibrations (+Pos3). Searching an other map does not function with version 3.20.0. This will be corrected in the next 3.20.1 update. On request a beta-version of this update is available.
Question 003: Is my GPS suitable for WinGPS Pro?
Answer: Every GPS that supports the NMEA-183 protocol, works fine with WinGPS Pro.
Question 004: Which chart projections are supported by WinGPS Pro?
Answer: Only mercator projections are fully supported by WinGPS Pro.
Question 005: Can I use other projections (than Mercator)?
Answer: Cilindrical, conic or stereographic projections are only usable with 3-point calibration. Choose your calibration points carefully. Especially large charts can cause deviations at points distant from the calibration points. Scans of Lambert (aviation) charts, ANWB water charts and charts of the Rijnatlas are considered to be suitable.
Question 006: How can I configure the COM-port?
Answer: You have to match the configuration of your COM-port with that of your GPS. You can configure your COM-port in WinGPS Pro in File/Setup/Communication.
Sometimes it is necessary to configure these as well. You can do this in the Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager. Select Communications Port and choose Properties.
The COM-port configuration in the Control Panel of Windows is usually not important. Most GPS receivers work with the default NMEA-183 protocol. This protocol uses the following properties:
To some GPS receivers the standard configuration is different. This should be mentioned your GPS's manual (look for NMEA-signal).
Question 007: There is no data transfer from the GPS to my computer. All values of the NMEA Status are zero (using Start Communication/Show NMEA-Status).
Answer: Check your GPS, cable, Com-port or WinGPS Pro setting:
More info: If the communication is OK, the NMEA Status will show also non-zero values (8 or 16), and NMEA Messages will show regulary new NMEA-signals starting with a $ sign (at Show NMEA-massages if you did Start up communication).
Question 008: How to connect my GPS to a serial port?
Answer: You can buy a cable suitable for this GPS with combined power supply at your GPS supplier. Standard 3-core serial cables are available at Stentec. You can also make a cable yourself out of an old serial mouse.
More info: Pay attention to the fact that the scheme of the serial port in the help of WinGPS Pro, is the back view of the PC, and not the plug. Also pay attention to the numbers (see picture).
Question 009: How to connect my GPS to a USB port?
Answer: For this problem, you can buy a serial to USB interface cable at Stentec.
More info: Install the virtual driver with the enclosed installation disk. Select the right Windows drivers, and Com 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Question 010: Next chart not found!
Answer: The chart searched for is probably not in the same folder. With File/Edit/Folders you can create and divide.
More info: Only charts in the same folder switch over to each other. With installation of DKW1800 charts, for every set of charts a seperate folder is created.
Question 011: How to import a chart set from a BSB or BSB/PCX cd-rom?
Answer: Read the manual of WinGPS Pro 3.1 or later version (addition), which you can find via Start/Programs/WinGPS Pro. You can import BSB-charts via File/Import-Export/Import BSB Charts. Read the procedure online.
More info: You can select a (new or existing) folder in which the charts are installed. Don't forget to configure the right chart datum. This is usually the same for all charts on the CD.
Question 012: How to import a Eurosea chart?
Answer: From version 3.00.3 you can import Eurosea charts. The procedure: Click on File/'Import/Export'/Import Eurosea. Select you. NKF or .EUR file and click on 'Open'. In the screen you see, you can read the data of the file (upper window). Use this data to enter the correct Datum. So if the example in the upper window says "Datum: World Geodatic System", you select WGS-84.
Question 013: Only a part of a BSB chart shows up, and or the colors are not OK.
Anser: Use the arrows on your keyboard to step through the total map. Zoom out to make an overview. For the colors: put your monitor settings to 16 k or 32 k colors (high or full color). First switch off WinGPS Pro.
More info: BSB charts are scanned in many small parts mostly in *.jpg format. DKW charts on the other hand are complete full charts in mostly *.bmp format, best running in 256 colors.
Question 014: When drawing a route the chart keeps jumping back (Automatic positioning button).
Answer: With WinGPS Pro, standard a button "automatic positioning" (globe) is installed. If it is switched off, the chart is free to move (even if the communication is switched on or off).
More info: With an update of WinGPS Pro, you have to activate this button yourself in the toolbar via File/Setup/Toolbar. Select left and bring this to right with >>. You can choose to remove buttons that are not being used to keep the toolbar small.
Question 015: Licence code WinGPS Pro doesn't work or is not found.
Answer: The licence code of WinGPS Pro and the registration code of purchased DKW charts most of the times can be found on a little blue chart in your CD box. Perhaps you've exchanged these codes. With downloads, you received the codes in your email.
More info: The DKW licencecode is needed to install the DKW charts.
Question 016: How can I install WinGPS Pro and DKW charts from the CD-ROM?
Answer: Follow these steps:
More info: Possible errors with XP and Win2000 can be ignored. To check if the charts are being installed properly, you can select a map and a chart with F3 and F2.
Question 017: I have problems with installing the downloadable version of DKW Friesland and DKW1800. How to solve this?
Answer: For installing DKW1800/2002 you need the programma DKW230.exe. For DKW Friesland you need DKW214.exe. You can download both programmes here. In the DKW-programme you enter your licency code(s) and install the chart(s). You need to select the location where your chart downloads can be found. And you need to enter the location where you want to install your chart(s). Standard location is :\Program Files\WinGPS Pro\Charts.
More info: Don't upzip the downloads with other programs than DKW230.exe (for DKW1800/2002) or DKW214.exe (for DKW Friesland). You can use the DKW-programmes for updating your charts (BaZ Update Service). Caution: If you want to install both DKW1800/2002 and DKW Friesland, install DKW230.exe and DKW214.exe in seperate folders. Do not put frl_120.dka and 18xx_120.dka in the same folder. This will give an error ("Frie is not a valid integer") when installing DKW1800 with DKW230.exe.
Question 018: I get an error message at installation of WinGPS Pro 3.2 or earlier with Windows XP and Windows 2000. What should I do?
Answer: Ignore the error and finish the installation and install the latest update (3.3.).
More info: WinGPS Pro runs normal under Windows XP and Windows 2000. The installation errors are removed in the 3.3 update.
Question 019: I get an error if more versions are installed. What should I do?
Answer: First remove earlier versions and demo versions via Start/Settings/Control Panel/Software. Don't forget to make a backup of your database (standard under c:\program files\wingps pro\gps.mdb) if you want to keep routes and waypoints. Install WinGPS Pro again.
More info: A demo version also is an earlier version and has to be removed as well.
Question 020: The system gets very slow with zooming and replacing DKW charts.
Answer: Put your display settings on 256 colors. This makes plotting much faster.
More info: Windows plots bitmap charts fastest with 256 colors. For BSB charts (usually *.jpg), a setting with higher colors is required.
Question 021: I have problems with printing under Windows 2000 or XP in WinGPS Pro 3.2 or earlier.
Answer: Install the latest update (3.3).
Question 022: How can I install DKW Friesland from cd-rom (when WinGPS Pro 3.2 is already installed)
Answer: Take the following steps:
More info: DKW Friesland is from 2000 and still has a calibration file Friesland.chi for WinGPS Pro 2.0. This makes the installation old-fashioned, like with self-scanned charts. WinGPS Pro 3.1 is not installing a DKW Friesland.chi standard. For this reason, upgrade to 3.2 first.
Question 023: How can I get a BaZ update on board ?
Answer: Use the program DKW230.exe of the DKW2002 edition to update your charts. This can be done directly on board with a GSM but takes a lot of time. With a fast internet connection at home you can also send the BaZ update to a floppy and install it on board with DKW230.exe.
More info: To gain time, on board only update the chartset which you need.
Question 024: Downloading for the BaZ update breaks down all the time. How can I solve this?
Answer: First check if you have chosen the right type of connection. Update per chartset to keep the chance of disruption of the data-transfer caused by interference small.
As an alternative you can download the BaZ-file from ftp://stentec.com/pub/baz/2002/Updates.BaZ. In the DKW-programme you can process the file via "Download and Update BaZ" -> "Apply BaZ".
More info: This can be caused by a combination of provider and connection. An update of DKW.exe is coming which is less sensitive for interference.
Question 025: How do I get my routes and tracks from my computer at home to my laptop?
Answer: Install WinGPS Pro and the charts on your laptop as well. Make a copy of the database of WinGPS Pro (standard c:\Program Files\WinGPS Pro\gps.mdb) on floppy and overwrite the empty gps.mdb on your notebook.
More info: Your database contains all of your route and track info. Make sure WinGPS Pro and the charts are at the same location, otherwise this has to edit other location of the charts with Charts/Chartmanager.
Question 026: Coordinates are not right after installation of new charts.
Answer: Delete the corresponding old charts and folders in both WinGPS Pro and Windows. Delete in WinGPS Pro the old charts with File -> Delete -> Charts. Select all DKW 2001 charts and click on OK. Remove the old folders with File -> Edit -> Folders. In Windows explorer remove the old charts in C:\Program Files\WinGPS Pro\Charts. Re-install (if necessary) the new charts of 2002.
More info: WinGPS Pro uses the calibration data of the new chi-files with the old charts. If you want to keep the old charts, install the new charts in a seperate directory.
Question 027: What's a chart datum?
Answer: The chart datum defines a model of the curvature of the earth. WGS84 is standard these days. You can also set the prefered of your GPS by its menu. The datum of the charts used by WinGPS Pro can and may differ from the GPS-datum setting. WinGPS Pro corrects this.
Question 033: I don't get a detailed chart (BSB) when I click on "Search Chart". How to solve this problem?
Answer: To make use of the improvements of the database for BSB charts, you have to re-install the BSB charts after installing the 3.3 update (File/Import Export/Import BSB charts). The button "Search chart" produces the most detailed chart (if this is your setting in File/Setup/Navigation).
More info: Note: when importing BSB charts, not all chart sets have to put to WGS84 (with show info). E.g BACD3 has the chart datum Ordnance Survey of GB 36.
Question 034: When I'm updating I always get the message that my charts are already updated. How can I solve this?
Answer: This error occurs when you adjust your charts with the BaZ update Service and then remove them and install them again. This will be improved in the next version of DKW. Untill then, it is possible to solve the problem by following these steps:
Question 035: WinGPS Pro shuts down all of a sudden. It gives a message, sometimes with a pond signal "chart not found", de position is irregular. My track is being drawn down everywhere alllover my screen. How can I solve this?
Answer: Sometimes your position comes in wrongly. Perhaps your cable picks up disturbance of another machine, or is your cable connection not entirely right. Try if it works allright by connecting only the GPS-NMEA to pin 2 and the return to pin 5 of the serial port. There could also be a mistake in the setting at file/setup/communication, for example the Handshake modus.
Explanation: You can see disturbance in the NMEA-status and NMEA messages. De status displays a large number of rejected messages, and messages not only built up out of capitals, but also with braces of not-read bits, caused by disturbance. In theory, it can also be caused by signals which the GPS sends to the PC. Perhaps the NMEA183 protocol still is adjustable.
Question 36: Only the Friesland chart sometimes shows severe deviations. How can I solve this?
Answer: The Friesland chart is from 2000. Work on the first BaZ update for DKW_Friesland is in process.
Explanation: The update data like buoy positions is delivered to us by "Provincie Friesland".
Question 039: When downloading Updates.BaZ, I can't apply the update. I get an error "No original charts were found". What should I do?
Answer: Certain browser configurations will change the filename from "Updates.BaZ" into "Updates.BaZ.zip". Delete the .zip part of the filename. Then applying the updates should work normally.
Question 040: Certain BSB charts like from Bayo can not be imported with WinGPS Pro 3.3. How can I solve this problem?
Answer: Download en install the latest WinGPS Pro 3.3.1 update (expected from August 13, 2002) and import the BSB charts again.
More info: Importing was functioning in version 3.0, 3.1 and 3.2, although there was no chart datum found in the file. Instead the selected default datum was used. Version 3.3.0 refused to accept these files. The new 3.3.1 update gives you the opportunity to select the right chart datum for importing these charts. The correct datum can be found on the raster chart itself. For most Bayo charts this is European 1950. For other not accepted BSB charts WGS84 is rather standard. Importing again also solves the problem of finding the next most detailed BSB chart.
Question 041: WinGPS Pro 3.2 or 3.3.0 does not find the next most detailed chart. Instead an overview chart is found. Probably I also miss certain charts, and my "Show circle" button does not work. How can I solve this?
Answer: Download en install the latest WinGPS Pro 3.3.1 update (expected from August 13, 2002) and import the BSB charts again.
More info: The database of WinGPS Pro 3.2 and 3.3.0 was not filled in correctly when BSB charts were imported. Because the chart boundary was set to zero the next detailed chart could not be found.
Request for SupportIf your problem isn't solved now, please send an email to helpdesk@stentec.com. Please mention the following:
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