User manual NORTHSTAR 961 - Reference Manual

Contents List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix List of Screens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi Chapter 1: Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2 Technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7 Turning the system on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9 Turning the system off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-13 Basic navigation terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-14 Highlight One: Basic navigation terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-15 Introducing the function keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-16 Using the chart-view screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-17 Navigating to a point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-24 Reading and clearing alarm messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-30 Chapter 2: Introducing the 961/962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 System overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2 Introducing the controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6 Entering data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7 Caring for the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8 About interfacing the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10 Introducing GPS and DGPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11 Chapter 3: Using the Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 More navigation terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2 Highlight Two: More navigation terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2 PWR key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 Function keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5 Brightness key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-27 SAVE key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-28 MOB key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-28 IN and OUT keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-31 Cursor pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-31 Arrow keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-32 Menu keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-33 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page iii Chapter 4: Understanding the Chart Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Understanding electronic charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2 Understanding the chart screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2 Displaying your vessel's position on a chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4 Functions performed at the chart screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4 Using the cursor on the chart screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-17 Chapter 5: Understanding Position Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Using GPS to determine position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2 Using DGPS to determine position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4 Understanding Loran-C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7 Using Phantom loran to determine position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10 Chapter 6: Creating Waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Introducing waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2 Displaying waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3 Sorting the list of waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6 Searching for a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 Creating a new waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-8 Editing a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-14 Erasing a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-16 Changing the display of coordinates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-16 Chapter 7: Creating Avoidance Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Introducing avoidance points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-2 Displaying avoidance points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3 Sorting the list of avoidance points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-7 Searching for an avoidance point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8 Creating a new avoidance point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-9 Editing an avoidance point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-13 Erasing an avoidance point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-14 Changing the display of coordinates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-15 Chapter 8: Creating Routes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1 Introducing routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-2 Displaying routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-3 Sorting the list of routes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6 Searching for a route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-7 Creating a new route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-8 Editing a route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-17 Erasing a route. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-24 Page iv 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 9: Creating Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1 Introducing tracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2 Displaying tracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3 Sorting the list of tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-6 Creating a new track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-7 Editing a track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10 Erasing a track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12 Chapter 10: Waypoint and Route Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1 Steering to a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2 Navigating from the routes screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-6 Navigating from the chart screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10 Navigating from the waypoints screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17 Restarting the track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19 Chapter 11: Using the Trip Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 Introducing the trip function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-2 Displaying the trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3 Changing the trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-5 Saving the trip as a route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11 Erasing the trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12 Restarting the track at the trip screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-14 Stopping navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-15 Chapter 12: Alarms, TideTrack, Currents, and Echo Sounding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1 Understanding alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Understanding the TideTrack function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Understanding the currents function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adding the echo sounder overlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the display setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing navigation setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the chart setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loading, updating, and deleting charts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using demo mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Viewing the time information screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 12-11 12-15 12-19 . .13-2 13-10 13-24 13-35 13-69 13-72 Chapter 13: Customizing Setup Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1 Chapter 14: Service and Maintenance Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1 Service functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2 Maintenance functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-17 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page v 961/962 Features and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Position data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steer screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waypoint and route management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waypoint navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trip functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Echo sounder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GPS receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DGPS receiver (961XD/962XD). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interfacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Physical features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GPS Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GPS/DGPS Combination Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 A-2 A-2 A-2 A-3 A-3 A-4 A-4 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-6 A-7 A-8 A-8 A-8 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1 Page vi 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A List of Figures Figure 1: 961/962 function keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-16 Figure 2: 961/962 controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7 Figure 3: GPS satellites communicating with vessel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12 Figure 4: Position variances with uncorrected GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9 Figure 5: Restarting the desired track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20 Figure 6: Passing a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-21 Figure 7: North-up orientation: vessel on northerly leg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-31 Figure 8: North-up orientation: vessel on southeasterly leg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-31 Figure 9: Course-up chart orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-32 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page vii Page viii 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A List of Tables Table 1: Contacting Northstar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7 Table 2: Noise-level meanings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Table 3: DGPS status messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Table 4: Displaying waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Table 5: Displaying avoidance points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 Table 6: Displaying routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3 Table 7: Displaying tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3 Table 8: 961/962 alarms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5 Table 9: Cross-track scale options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4 Table 10: Datum list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12 Table 11: Reference ellipsoid constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19 Table 12: HCRF chart errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-55 Table 13: Service checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-18 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page ix Page x 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A List of Screens Initial startup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9 System test screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10 Owner's message screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11 Advisory message screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11 Power-off dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-13 Chart view A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-18 Chart screen with info bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-23 Chart screen with cursor location info bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-25 Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-26 Chart screen with COORD waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-27 Go to coordinates dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-28 Chart screen with COORD waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-29 Initial startup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 Power-off dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5 Chart screen with menu keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7 Echo sounder screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9 Alarms screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10 Chart-screen alarm message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11 Setup menu screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-12 Service menu screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-14 Traditional steer screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-16 3-D steer screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-17 Trip screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-18 Waypoints screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20 Routes screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22 Tracks screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-24 Avoidance points screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-26 Man overboard dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29 Chart screen with *MOB06* waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-30 Go to coordinates dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6 Vessel-position charts screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9 Cursor-position charts screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9 Chart screen with tide stations and station coverage bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11 Chart screen with tide graph and tide station bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page xi Chart screen with current stations and station coverage bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13 Chart screen with currents graph and current station bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14 Chart view A with two info bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16 Chart view B with two info bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16 Chart screen with cursor info bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18 Chart screen with selected object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-19 Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-21 Store as a waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-23 Store as a waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-25 Store as a waypoint (for on-chart route) dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-26 Selected route point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-28 Selected trip point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-29 Selected route point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-31 Selected trip leg dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-32 Selected route leg dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-33 Selected waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-35 Edit selected waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-35 Use selected waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-36 Selected route point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-37 GPS satellite status screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3 Chart screen with waypoints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4 Waypoints screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5 Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-9 Store as a waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-10 Vessel position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-11 Chart screen with avoidance points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4 3-D steer screen with avoidance points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-5 Avoidance points screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-6 Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-10 Store as a waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-10 Chart screen with displayed route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-4 Routes screen sorted by name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5 Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-8 Store as a waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9 Store as a waypoint (with on-chart route) dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-10 Page xii 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Vessel-position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-11 Timed vessel-position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-12 Create new route dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-13 Edit new route screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-14 Save trip as route dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-16 Edit the route dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-18 Edit route screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-18 Selected route point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-24 Chart screen with displayed tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-4 Tracks screen sorted by name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-5 New track screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-7 Start saving track screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-9 Edit track screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-11 Steer screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3 3-D steer screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-4 Routes screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-7 Follow route screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-7 Join leg dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-9 Selected route point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Selected route leg dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12 Selected waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14 Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16 Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17 Go to waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18 Go to waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19 Trip screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3 Active trip point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-7 Future trip point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-8 Go to selection dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-9 Go to selection dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10 Past trip point dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11 Save trip as route dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12 Erasures dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13 Restart here dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-15 Alarms screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page xiii Alarm settings screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-10 Chart screen with tide stations and station coverage bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-12 Chart screen with tide graph and tide station bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Chart screen with current stations and station coverage bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-16 Chart screen with current graph and current station bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-17 Chart screen with live echo sounder data overlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-19 Display setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-2 Password dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-8 Owner's message display screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-9 Navigation setup screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-10 Chart setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-24 Chart setup screen (waypoints) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-26 Chart inventory screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-36 HCRF summary dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-47 HCRF summary dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-49 Charts on disk screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-51 Enter navigator permit dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-52 Deleting all HCRF dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-54 HCRF charts screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-58 HCRF charts in database screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-59 HCRF permits screen (Skipper version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-60 HCRF permits screen (Navigator version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-61 HCRF user permit screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-62 Charts in database screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-64 Select chart source screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-68 Charts on disk screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-68 Setup demo mode screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-70 Time information screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-73 Product information screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2 Receiver information screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-4 GPS satellite status screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-9 Database function screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-12 Select database to save dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-12 Page xiv 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Select database to restore dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-14 Select a restored database to undo dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 Save log data dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page xv Page xvi 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A 1Qui ck Start Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7 Turning the system on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9 Turning the system off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13 Basic navigation terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14 Introducing the function keys . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16 Using the chart-view screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17 Navigating to a point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24 Reading and clearing alarm messages . . . . 1-30 This chapter introduces the 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual; describes initial startup and basic installation procedures; and briefly discusses the function keys and CHART screens. After reading this chapter, you'll know how to turn on the 961/962 and start basic navigation operations. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-1 Chapter 1 - Quick Start Welcome Overview Congratulations on your purchase of the Northstar 961X/962X or 961XD/962XD Color GPS/Raster Charting System. The system is a high-performance, easy-to-use, full-featured GPS chart navigator that meets your marine navigation needs in a comprehensive and logical manner. Wherever you are, the 961/962 helps guide you effortlessly to your next location. Your 961/962 also offers echo sounding capability, either built-in or retrofitted, for locating fish and tracking the contours of the seabed. In this manual, the 961X/962X and 961XD/962XD are collectively referred to as the 961/962 or the system. The 961X/962X uses an internal, high-performance GPS receiver as its primary source of position data. Your vessel's position, course-over-ground (COG), and speed-over-ground (SOG) are calculated directly from the received satellite data, as well as the time, date, and an estimate of the system's accuracy. For enhanced accuracy, the Northstar 961XD/962XD combines GPS navigation with DGPS capability using an internal, fully automatic differential receiver. The Northstar 961/962 also can be interfaced with other equipment; for details about interfacing, see the Northstar 961/962 GPS Chart Navigator Installation Manual. Both the 961X/962X and the 962XD/962XD have an internal hard drive inside their processors, and a CD-ROM drive for installing software updates and charts from different chart CDs onto this hard drive. The hard drive stores 1000 routes and 2000 waypoints, and enough chart data to cover an entire coastline. Using BSB charts (Maptech or NDI's ChartKit charts), Maptech's ChartPack charts, or the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office's (UKHO) Admiralty Raster Chart Service (commonly called ARCS) charts, the 961/962 can provide you with truly worldwide chart coverage. With its large color screen, the Northstar 961/962 offers a 10.4-inch diagonal chart display, an intuitive graphical user interface, advanced steering screens, graphical display of tides and currents, and easy management of waypoints, routes, tracks, and avoidance points. The system offers high-definition, high-speed CHART Page 1-2 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start screens; loran compatibility; tide data up to the year 2099; a currents overlay; echo sounding capability; and many other navigation functions. For a list of major features, see "System overview" starting on page 2-2. For a list of specifications, see "961/962 Features and Specifications" starting on page A-1. The 961/962 anticipates your most common requests: Accessing most functions requires pushing only one or two buttons. By reducing the time and attention required to navigate, you can devote more time and attention to enjoying your trip. Welcome to the world of Northstar 961/962 color-chart navigation! CAUTION! Although Northstar products are designed to be very useful navigation tools, they are not substitutes for good seamanship. The prudent navigator should never rely on any single device as the sole source of navigation guidance. Exercise caution and good judgment whenever underway. CAUTION! Proper installation of your Northstar 961/962 is of utmost importance to accurately receive and effectively use GPS signals under a variety of weather conditions. For the best performance, Northstar strongly recommends that you have an authorized Northstar dealer perform the installation. If you prefer to perform the installation, however, please carefully follow the instructions in the Northstar 961/962 GPS Chart Navigator Installation Manual. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-3 Chapter 1 - Quick Start CAUTION! Although every effort has been made to ensure that the electronic chart data is as close to paper charts as possible, errors and omissions are inevitable: Use extra care when navigating with electronic charts. The captain is responsible for cross-checking the 961/962 against other sources of navigation data. Scope of this manual Whether you're an experienced mariner or a novice boater, the 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual is a complete guide to understanding and operating the Northstar 961/962 GPS chart navigator. Each of its functions is discussed in the appropriate chapter of the manual. The manual complements the system's ease-of-use by describing and illustrating these functions in a reference format that promotes quick learning. For complete instructions on installing and using the echo sounder to locate fish and track the contours of the seabed, refer to the: · · Northstar 490 Echo Sounder Installation Manual (GM491) Northstar 490 Echo Sounder Operations Manual (GM490) Using this manual If you're new to the 961/962, you'll find the first few chapters of this manual extremely helpful. As you learn more about the system, later chapters will help you understand many of its advanced, yet still easy-to-use, capabilities (see "Organization" starting on page 1-5). Certain terms that either have a special meaning in this manual or that are important to understand clearly are defined in the margin. In addition, readers who are new to marine navigation may want to refer to either "Highlight One: Basic navigation terms" later in this chapter, "Highlight Two: Understanding more navigation terms," or the "Glossary" starting on page G-1 for definitions of 961/962 and related navigational terms. If you encounter a term you don't understand, turn to the Glossary for its meaning. Page 1-4 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start After using the system for a while, you'll find that you can quickly learn its functions without constantly referring to this manual. After you've read through the manual, you probably won't have to refer to it too often. Organization This "Quick Start" chapter tells you how to start up the system and become familiar with its CHART display screens. Chapter 2 is an introduction that reviews key features and controls and introduces overall maintenance. This introduction also presents the concepts of GPS and DGPS. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 detail the controls, chart display screens, and position coordinates, respectively, before moving to more advanced waypoint and route navigation operations comprising Chapters 6 through 12. Chapters 13 and 14 describe customizing the setup of your system--including the loading of charts--and the maintenance and service procedures, respectively. A glossary is found at the back of the manual, as is the appendix with the system's specifications, its GPS and DGPS antenna (if applicable), and the optional internal DGPS receiver. To locate specific terms or procedures, see the index at the back of the manual. Sample display screens throughout the manual illustrate each function, supplementing the text with an accurate visual description. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-5 Chapter 1 - Quick Start Conventions Specific conventions, or standards, are used to provide a consistent way to recognize certain information, as follows: · is the universal caution symbol used for caution and warning information that pertains to your personal safety or prevents damage to the system. The CAUTION and WARNING boxes contain critical information--please read them! · NOTE is the type style used for titles of reader notes. These notes contain valuable information purposely highlighted so that you don't miss it while reading the main text. · KEY is the type style used to refer to the function keys (located along the bottom of the control head) as well as the menu keys (located in a vertical row on the right side of the control head). These keys are discussed further in "Introducing the 961/962" starting on page 2-1, and in "Using the Controls" starting on page 3-1. DISPLAY TEXT is the type style representing text that appears on the display screens. Sample 961/962 screen is the type style used for captions of display screens. · · · · · · · Figure 1 is the type style used for captions of figures, such as parts illustrations. A bulleted list contains a series of related items or topics. A numbered list contains a series of steps in a procedure. The command "Press a button or key" means push and release that button or key--unless otherwise indicated. The product name 961/962 refers to both the 961XD/962XD with its internal differential receiver, and the 961X/962X, which is differential-ready only. Latitude and longitude coordinates are collectively referred to as lat/lon coordinates or lat/lon. The CHART screen may also be referred to as the chart view. · · Page 1-6 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start Technical support After you follow the instructions in this manual, if you need technical support or if you have any other questions, you can contact Northstar by email, fax, phone, or U.S. mail as follows: Table 1: Contacting Northstar Email: Service: service@northstarcmc.com Sales: sales@northstarcmc.com Fax: Service: 978/897-1595 Sales: 978/897-7241 Telephone: Main number: 978/897-6600 or 800/628-4487 U.S. mail: 30 Sudbury Road Acton, MA 01720 Web site: www.northstarcmc.com (you can send email to Northstar from this site) Hearing from you Your feedback is important and helps ensure that this manual is a valuable resource for all 961/962 users. Send your questions, comments, or suggestions about this manual to: docs@northstarcmc.com Service and repair In case of an operating problem, you may contact your dealer or return the system to the Northstar factory for diagnosis and repair. (You may want to back-up any user-defined waypoints and routes before returning the system for repair; for details, see "Maintenance functions" starting on page 14-17.) When describing an operating problem, be as complete and accurate as possible. Be sure to have your serial number and software Page 1-7 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start revision available whenever contacting or corresponding with either your dealer or the Northstar factory. For details, see "Viewing product information" starting on page 14-2. If you need assistance, feel free to call the Northstar Service Department at 978-897-6600. To prevent delays, it is critical that you first obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number before returning your 961/962 to the factory. The 961/962 is covered by a two-year limited warranty (see the Limited Warranty Policy at the beginning of this manual), which, in summary, states that if the system is returned to the Northstar factory by the owner or dealer during the warranty period, Northstar will repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective due to faulty materials or workmanship, if the system has been properly installed and hasn't been abused. The only cost to the owner will be the one-way shipping charges and any associated charges that may be imposed by the dealer. Shipments to Northstar should be made to the following address: Northstar Technologies 30 Sudbury Road Acton, MA 01720 If you have special overnight or second-day shipping requirements (UPS or Federal Express), please call the Northstar factory for turnaround time and freight costs before shipping. Refer to the Limited Warranty Policy at the front of this manual, and to Chapter 14 "Service and Maintenance Functions" for more details about service procedures. Page 1-8 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start Turning the system on Using the PWR key To turn on the 961/962: 1. Press the PWR (power) key in the upper left-hand corner (pressing the PWR key activates the control head and the processor). After several minutes, the INITIAL STARTUP screen appears, which is displayed for about five to ten seconds. Initial startup screen After the INITIAL STARTUP screen, the 961/962 automatically displays the SYSTEM TEST screen for about 10 seconds. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-9 Chapter 1 - Quick Start System test screen After the SYSTEM TEST screen, the OWNER'S MESSAGE screen is automatically displayed for about 10 seconds. To create a personal owner's message, such as the owner's name and the name of the vessel, see "System security" starting on page 13-7. If inconsistencies are found in the system test, the CONFIRM menu key will appear in the upper right of the screen. Press this key to acknowledge that you are aware of the problem and accept it. Page 1-10 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start Owner's message screen After the OWNER'S MESSAGE screen, the ADVISORY MESSAGE screen is automatically displayed, warning you not to rely solely on the 961/962's chart cartography for safe navigation. Advisory message screen 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-11 Chapter 1 - Quick Start 2. To proceed, accept the ADVISORY MESSAGE by pressing any key. If chart CDs for your geographical area have already been installed onto the system's hard drive, and after GPS signals are acquired, you'll see your vessel symbol centered on the CHART screen at your present position. Until GPS signals are acquired, a small position-fix circle will be located at the last known position. If there aren't any charts covering your geographic location installed on the hard drive, a plotter grid will be displayed instead of a chart. NOTE: It's normal to hear a single beep whenever you press any of the keys. An invalid keypress, however, elicits a single "boop," which sounds like an off-key beep. For new systems only When you first turn your 961/962 on, you'll see your present vessel position at the center of the chart, represented as a small circle. A 961/962 that recently has been used either at or near that same position will usually be ready to navigate within several minutes. If GPS signals aren't acquired soon enough, however, your last position fix (from the last time the 961/962 ran) will be represented by a small position-fix circle; you'll see an alarm message in the upper portion of the CHART screen; and you'll hear the GPS alarm beep. This sequence often occurs when a system is used for the first time in a new location hundreds of miles from where it was last used, and means that the system is searching for the necessary satellites. This data should take two to five minutes to acquire, after which the 961/962 is ready to navigate. Checking GPS signal quality After satellite data has been acquired, you may check the quality of the received GPS signals by viewing the various satellites' SNR readings; see "GPS receiver status summary" starting on page 5-2. For an introduction to GPS, see "Highlight One: Basic navigation terms" starting on page 1-15. Page 1-12 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start About the display's brightness If you don't touch any key on the control head for one hour or more, its LCD screen automatically dims to about half its normal brightness (based on its current brightness), if required by the system. Pressing any key at any time automatically restores the display's previous brightness level. This function helps maintain the integrity of the display screen and reduce power consumption when power is on for many hours at a time. It is still recommended, however, that you keep the lighting level low when you don't actually need it; for more details, see "Controlling LCD-screen brightness" starting on page 3-27. Turning the system off The procedure for turning off a system with two control heads is slightly different than turning off a system with one head. To turn off an entire system (both the head and the processor) with one control head: 1. Press and hold the PWR key for approximately three seconds, and the system will turn off. To turn off an entire system (the two heads and the processor) with two control heads that are on: 1. Press and hold the PWR key for approximately three seconds until the POWER-OFF dialog box appears. Power-off dialog box 2. To turn off only one head (where you pressed the PWR key), press the THIS HEAD key. Otherwise, to turn off the entire system, press the BOTH HEADS key. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-13 Chapter 1 - Quick Start NOTE: On this dialog box (and on many other 961/962 screens), keys with a mark designate the final step in a sequence, the step that will actually carry out the operation. Menu keys with a red mark cancel an operation, and return you to the screen you were previously viewing. Basic navigation terminology If you're new to navigation, before proceeding you may want to review the basic navigation terms on the following page in Highlight One. It is suggested that you review these terms carefully because many of them are used in a very specific way in this manual. Soon you'll be ready to get underway! Page 1-14 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start Highlight One: Basic navigation terms Bearing: The true or magnetic course from your present position to a waypoint. Coordinates: Coordinates specify a position on the earth's surface using latitude and longitude (see this table), Loran-C TDs, or distance and bearing from a fixed location. (The term Loran-C TDs refers to Loran-C Time Differences; for details, see the Glossary.) Course-over-ground (COG): The actual path of your vessel in relation to the surface of the earth; that is, the direction your vessel is actually moving. Cross-track error (XTE): The distance between your position and your desired track; that is, how far off you are from your intended course line. XTE is displayed both numerically (as nm, mi, or km and the equivalent ft or M) and graphically. Desired track: An imaginary line that the system calculates, which represents the path that you plan to follow, usually from one waypoint to the next. On the CHART screen, the desired track is displayed as a green line. Global Positioning System (GPS): Developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, GPS is a satellite navigation system that computes your position using signals from a system of 24 earth-orbiting satellites. Latitude: Imaginary lines on the earth's surface running east/west, expressed as the number of degrees (0 to 90) north or south of the Equator. Leg: The line, or path, between any two waypoints in a route or a trip. Longitude: Imaginary lines on the earth's surface running north/south, expressed as the number of degrees (0 to 180) east or west of the Prime Meridian, a line running from the North Pole to the South Pole. Nautical mile (nm): One nm equals 6,076 feet, compared to a statute mile, which is 5,280 feet. A nautical mile also equals one minute of latitude. Position: See Coordinates. Route: A group of two or more pre-defined waypoints that form a connected path to and/or from specific locations. A typical route consists of a starting waypoint, a destination waypoint, and a series of legs connecting those waypoints. On the CHART screen, a route is displayed as a dark blue line. (If you're "following" a route, however, the route is copied into the trip, so it isn't displayed as dark blue anymore. For details about following a route, see "What is a route?" starting on page 8-2.) Speed-over-ground (SOG): The actual speed of your vessel in relation to the surface of the earth. Track: As used in 961/962 operations, a path that you either plan to follow or have already followed. For complete details about the track feature, see "Introducing tracks" starting on page 9-2. Waypoint: A specific position defined by its coordinates of latitude and longitude, TDs, or distance and bearing, and used as either an intermediate or a final destination. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-15 Chapter 1 - Quick Start Introducing the function keys Five keys located on the lower left part of the control head instantly select the most common functions. Each successive press of a function key selects additional display screens belonging to that function. There are several screens under each function key (except for the TRIP key). For each function, the system remembers the last-viewed screen, returning there when you later select the function. The one exception is the STAR function key, which always brings you directly to the ECHO SOUNDER screen if the 490 has been installed. Figure 1: 961/962 function keys The function keys are briefly described below. · CHART displays two independent CHART screens (views A and B) showing your position on the chart, information about the chart-in-use, all the data you need to navigate, tides (using Northstar's exclusive TideTrackTM feature), and currents overlay. You can create and store new waypoints, avoidance points, and routes at these screens, and view existing waypoints, avoidance points, and routes. You can also view the echo sounder's picture on part of the CHART screen. STEER displays two screens helping you to steer precisely along the desired track to your upcoming, or active, waypoint. This screen includes a display of your speed-over-ground (SOG), course-over-ground (COG), name of the active waypoint, distance, estimated time of arrival (ETA) and estimated time enroute (ETE) to that waypoint, bearing, numerical and graphical cross-track error (XTE), and mapped waypoints. · Page 1-16 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start · WAYPTS/ROUTES displays four different screens for listing, adding, going to, editing, searching, and sorting your waypoints, routes, tracks, and avoidance points. STAR displays five different screens showing the ECHO SOUNDER screen; alarms and their status; setup functions that include how to customize your display screen and load and delete charts; the setup function for the echo sounder; and the 961/962's service-information functions, including port setup options and saving/restoring the waypoint and route databases. NOTE: Pressing the STAR key only accesses the ECHO SOUNDER screen if the 490 is enabled on NMEA Port 3. For more information, see the Northstar 490 Echo Sounder Installation Manual (GM491). · · TRIP displays one screen showing the progress of today's navigation plan (called today's trip). This trip can easily be modified. For details about the function keys, see "Using the Controls" starting on page 3-1. Using the chart-view screens Reviewing the first position screen After startup tests are finished and satellite data has been acquired, and after you acknowledge the advisory message, the CHART screen appears, showing your present position. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-17 Chapter 1 - Quick Start Chart view A Using chart views A and B There are two CHART screens, called chart views, designated by either VIEW A or VIEW B in the upper right-hand corner of the view. Chart view B offers the same chart-view functions as chart view A. Using the second view, you can select a different zoom level, a different location on the chart, different navigation information, or even a different chart. You can switch between the two views by pressing the CHART key. Both CHART views display electronic versions of actual paper charts. This means that everything that you're already familiar with will be displayed right on the CHART screen. Page 1-18 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start Your vessel The round vessel symbol in the center of the CHART screen shows your present position. Zooming in and out on the chart view To zoom in and show a more detailed view of the chart, press the IN key located in the lower right-hand corner of the control head. To zoom out and show less detail and more area, press the OUT key located next to the IN key. Obtaining detailed chart data For detailed chart data, you should obtain either ChartKit BSB chart CDs from MapTech or NDI, ChartPack BSB chart CDs from Maptech, or HCRF chart CDs from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). With these choices in cartography, the 961/962 provides you with truly worldwide chart coverage. (If your vessel ever moves into an area that isn't covered by the charts installed, the 961/962 will automatically display a plotter grid.) For information on obtaining BSB or HCRF (ARCS) charts, see "Purchasing charts" starting on page 13-37. For further details about using these charts, see "Navigational chart CDs" starting on page 2-5. NOTE: If you're using BSB charts, make sure you use Maptech Chartkit's Second Edition (or higher) BSB-format chart CDs (or anyone else's BSB-formatted 2.0 CDs). If you try to install one of the First Edition CDs, you'll receive an error message, and will be unable to complete the installation. Chart-view features Each of the six features briefly described below is part of both chart views: Vessel predictor line The green line extending straight out from your vessel's symbol is your predictor line, which predicts what your 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-19 Chapter 1 - Quick Start position will be at a future time, based on your current COG and SOG. You can set this time to predict your position in one minute, two minutes, three minutes, five minutes, or 30 minutes, or turn the line off completely; see "Changing the chart setup" starting on page 13-24. Range rings Range rings are two sets of fine black circles that surround your vessel, which is at the center. The radius of the inner ring is shown in a small box in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Because the range rings surround your vessel, they help you find your position on the CHART screen. For details about range rings, see "Range rings" starting on page 13-34. To see an example of range rings on the CHART screen, refer to the sample display screen on page 1-22. On the DISPLAY SETUP screen, you can set the distance units to statute miles (mi), nautical miles (nm), or kilometers (km). Water depths The small box in the lower left-hand corner shows how water depths (spot soundings) are shown on the currently displayed chart--in feet, meters, or fathoms. These are the numbers from the paper version of the chart; accordingly, you can't change these units of measurements. Chart scale The small box in the lower left-hand corner of the CHART screen shows the chart magnification. As you zoom out, this number changes to 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and so on. As you zoom in, it changes to 2/1, 4/1, etc. The chart scale (such as 1:40000) is also shown in the box. · To show a more detailed view of your position on the chart, press the IN key located in the lower right-hand corner of the control head: The chart will be magnified. For a less detailed view of the chart, press the OUT key: The displayed chart will cover a larger area. · Page 1-20 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start The zoom number in the chart-scale box changes with each press of the IN or OUT key. Distance scale bar On the left-hand side of the CHART screen is a vertical ruler with alternating red and blue sections. The primary purpose of the ruler is to provide an approximate scale of distances on the CHART screen. On the DISPLAY SETUP screen, you can set the distance units to statute miles (mi), nautical miles (nm), or kilometers (km). Differential GPS (DGPS) is a technique for correcting basic GPS position data by receiving additional radio signals to increase its accuracy. DGPS indicator In the upper left-hand corner of the CHART screen is the word DGPS, which indicates whether the system is receiving DGPS corrections to its GPS signals. If corrections aren't being received, the DGPS indicator won't appear on the screen. Introducing the chart screen's menu keys The CHART screen is controlled by six menu keys that are located in a vertical row to the right of the display screen. Each of these keys controls a function to its left: · GO TO provides several options to select and navigate to new position coordinates. For details, see "Navigating to a point" starting on page 1-24. NEW CHART lets you select a different chart for your vessel's location from the chart database, or display a basic plotter grid. For details, see "Selecting new charts" starting on page 4-8. Each time you briefly press NEW CHART, the 961/962 cycles automatically through all appropriate charts. When you press and hold the key, more chart-selection options are displayed. OVERLAY provides the option to superimpose graphic displays of tide data, currents, and a small echo sounder picture (if the 490 is installed) onto the CHART screen. For more information about overlaying graphic displays, see "Alarms, TideTrack, Currents, and Echo Sounding" starting on page 12-1. Page 1-21 · · 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start · CLEAR--when pressed briefly--clears the CHART screen of menu keys (press any menu key to restore them); press and hold CLEAR to clear menu keys and everything else on the CHART screen, except for your vessel and the range rings. The clearing action reduces on-screen clutter so you can see more of the chart. INFO (two identical keys) displays at the bottom of the CHART screen two rectangular INFO BARS, which show useful information including SOG and COG, numerical position coordinates, the active waypoint (if any), details about the chart in use, and so on. Note that the second INFO key is displayed only after you've pressed the one INFO key at the bottom of the screen. For more about INFO BARS, see "Showing position coordinates" below, and see "Displaying information about your position" starting on page 4-15. · For more about the CHART screen's menu keys, see "Chart-view menu keys" starting on page 3-6. Showing position coordinates You can display position coordinates on the CHART screen as: · · lat/lon coordinates from the GPS receiver Phantom loran TDs that are calculated from the GPS coordinates (for when you'd like to see your position mathematically converted to and displayed in loran TDs) To set up your CHART screen to display position coordinates as loran TDs in addition to lat/lon, see "Changing the chart setup" starting on page 13-24. To show your position coordinates and other navigational data on the CHART screen, press either of the two INFO keys (the second INFO key will appear only after you press the INFO key at the bottom of the screen): Several forms of numeric navigational data appear--in large, easy-to-read numbers--at the bottom of the screen in an INFO BAR. Page 1-22 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start Chart screen with info bars Each successive press of either INFO key shows the present nav data, in the following order: 1. speed-over-ground and course-over-ground (SOG and COG). 2. lat/lon coordinates (LATITUDE and LONGITUDE). 3. your preferred GRI (GRI) and the best pair of loran TDs--only available if you've chosen to display position coordinates as loran TDs at the CHART SETUP screen. 4. active waypoint, if any; distance and bearing to the active waypoint; cross-track error (XTE); estimated time of arrival (ETA); estimated time enroute (ETE); and placement of your vessel relative to the desired track. 5. the name and number of the chart in use, its originator and manufacturer, source date, and chart datum. 6. if you're displaying a HCRF chart (Hydrographic Chart Raster Format), the INFO BAR displays the type of chart series (Navigator or Skipper); expiration date (Navigator series only); correction level (the Notice to Mariner's 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-23 Chapter 1 - Quick Start number to which the chart has been corrected); name and date of the Chart CD and Update CD from which the chart was loaded. 7. today's date and the current local time (from GPS) 8. depth, speed through water, and water temperature (if 490 is installed) To clear an INFO BAR from the CHART screen, press and hold an INFO key until the INFO BAR disappears. For more about INFO BARS, see "Displaying information about your position" starting on page 4-15. Navigating to a point Two options exist for navigating to a pair of coordinates from the CHART screen (if you're not viewing the CHART screen, press the CHART key to return to it). You can use the cursor to designate a position on the chart, or you can enter coordinates in a dialog box: Option 1 -- Using the cursor to designate a chart position You can use the cursor to point to a spot on the chart and navigate there, as follows: Chart-screen cursor 1. To display the cursor (represented by a red square symbol with crosshairs) and move it to the desired spot on the chart, press the large CURSOR PAD located in the lower right-hand corner of the control head. The CURSOR PAD is multidirectional, so you can move it diagonally as well as horizontally and vertically. The longer you hold the CURSOR PAD, the faster the chart-screen cursor moves. The distance and bearing to the cursor location, as well as its lat/lon coordinates, are automatically displayed in the CURSOR INFO BAR at the bottom of the screen. Cursor pad with control arrows To move the cursor small distances, the best way is to tap it; this method provides finer control than does placing your thumb in the center of the CURSOR PAD and gently pushing left, right, up, or down, although this method also moves the cursor small distances. Page 1-24 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start Chart screen with cursor location info bar (To return to showing your vessel in the center of the chart, press the bottom-right VESSEL key at any time.) 2. Press the CURSOR key. The SELECTED CURSOR POSITION dialog box appears, displaying the coordinates of the cursor position. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-25 Chapter 1 - Quick Start Selected cursor position dialog box 3. To navigate directly to the coordinates, press the GO NOW key (or press the CANCEL key to cancel). The CHART screen displays a dashed green line--the "desired track"--from your vessel to the new waypoint, automatically named COORD. This waypoint is represented by a green X on the CHART screen. Page 1-26 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start Chart screen with COORD waypoint NOTE: You can also choose to add those new coordinates to the end of your trip, or to the end or start of a stored route. For details about these options, see "Using the cursor on the chart screen" starting on page 4-17. Option 2 -- Entering coordinates Your second option for navigating to a point is to enter numeric coordinates as lat/lon, Loran-C TDs, or distance and bearing, as follows: 1. From the CHART screen, press the GO TO key. The GO TO COORDINATES dialog box appears. The coordinates of your active waypoint, if any, or else the coordinates of your most recent position, are displayed. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-27 Chapter 1 - Quick Start Go to coordinates dialog box 2. To change these coordinates, use the KEYPAD to enter new coordinates: Press the CURSOR PAD right to move the flashing cursor to the longitude field or press down to move to the distance and bearing fields, then use the KEYPAD to enter new coordinates. (For details about using the KEYPAD to enter data, see "Entering data" starting on page 2-7.) To display the coordinates as lat/lon or TDs, press the LL/TDS key. Page 1-28 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 1 - Quick Start 3. To navigate directly to the new coordinates, press the GO NOW key (or press the CANCEL key to cancel). The CHART screen displays a green line--the "desired track"--to the new waypoint, automatically named COORD. This waypoint is represented by a green X on the CHART screen. Chart screen with COORD waypoint 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 1-29 Chapter 1 - Quick Start Reading and clearing alarm messages To show the ALARMS screen, and read and clear an alarm message: 1. Press the STAR key until you reach the ALARMS screen. The alarm message with its corresponding time and date is shown in the NEW ALARMS box. The word NEW means that you haven't acknowledged the alarm message or the message hasn't self-cleared. 2. To acknowledge an alarm message, press the CLEAR ALARM key at the upper right side of the screen. 3. To return to the CHART screen, press the CHART key. Some alarms can't be manually cleared; for complete details about alarms, see "Alarms, TideTrack, Currents, and Echo Sounding" starting on page 12-1. NOTE: During an alarm condition, the alarm message always appears on whatever screen you're displaying (including the ECHO SOUNDER screen, if the 490 is installed) as well as on the ALARMS screen itself; however, you can only clear an alarm message at the ALARMS screen. Page 1-30 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A 2I ntroducing the 961/962 System overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 Introducing the controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Entering data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 Caring for the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8 About interfacing the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10 Introducing GPS and DGPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11 This chapter introduces the 961/962's major features and controls, discusses basic maintenance, and provides an introduction to GPS and DGPS. Read this chapter to learn the broader concepts of 961/962 operations and marine navigation. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 2-1 Chapter 2 - Introducing the 961/962 System overview This section summarizes ten of the major features: GPS; DGPS; navigation; waypoints and routes; echo sounder; avoidance points; the CHART screen; navigational chart CDs (the 961/ 962 is compatible with HCRF charts--the format for ARCS charts--as well as BSB-format charts); the TideTrack function; and the display of currents. GPS features The following GPS features are offered: · · · · 12-channel GPS precision and dependability accurate position data--worldwide one-second update of position, speed, and heading data available in any weather--24 hours a day DGPS features (961XD/962XD only) For the best in GPS accuracy, the Northstar 961XD/962XD features an internal, two-channel DGPS receiver that accepts DGPS signal corrections from shore-based transmitters called beacons. These transmitting beacons emit radio signals, which may be affected by lightning. The 961XD/962XD uses these DGPS signal corrections to display your position (a position fix), as accurately as one to three meters. The 961XD/962XD's DGPS feature offers: · · · · a fully automatic DGPS beacon receiver accuracy of one to three meters (one meter equals slightly more than one yard) continuous DGPS usage indicator on the CHART screen one-second update of DGPS information For details about DGPS, see "Differential GPS corrections" starting on page 2-13. Navigation features There are two separate, high-resolution, color chart views that show: · your vessel's present position 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 2-2 Chapter 2 - Introducing the 961/962 · · · · · · · · · · · · nearby waypoints lat/lon in large, easy-to-read numbers loran TDs (and Group Repetition Interval, or GRI) speed-over-ground (SOG) and course-over-ground (COG) distance and bearing to the active waypoint, if any today's date and the current local time cross-track error (XTE) estimated time enroute (ETE) estimated time of arrival (ETA) today's trip (past, active, and future waypoints) tide data for the 24-hour period of any chosen date currents for the 24-hour period of any chosen date Waypoint, avoidance point, and route features The waypoint, avoidance point, and route features include: · · · storing up to 2,000 waypoints and 1,000 routes storing up to 200 avoidance points (and displaying them on the CHART screen and the 3-D STEER screen) storing and displaying waypoints in several ways: > one of 23 different symbols can be assigned to each waypoint for display on the CHART screen > the WAYPOINTS screen can be sorted by symbol, name, distance, or bearing > on a separate TRIP screen · · instantly locating any waypoint on the WAYPOINTS screen using "Quick Search" editing routes and waypoints directly from the CHART screen, WAYPOINTS screen, and ROUTES screen 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 2-3 Chapter 2 - Introducing the 961/962 Echo sounder If enabled, the ECHO SOUNDER screen indicates the depth of the water under the vessel, the position and depth of fish, and the contours of the seabed. This information comes from Northstar 490 Echo Sounder, which is connected to the 961/ 962 and a Northstar-recommended transducer. For details about using the echo sounder, see the Northstar 490 Echo Sounder Operations Manual (part number GM490). The CHART screens maximize usability by including such features as fast chart redraw, an LCD screen with easy-to-read numbers, and a plotter function for up-close navigation. Chart-screen features Chart redraw Normally, as you navigate, your vessel remains centered on the CHART screen, and the chart moves underneath it. The high-speed screen redraw feature automatically keeps the chart visible--even as you move from one chart to the next. Lighting The liquid crystal display (LCD) screen is easy to see in all kinds of light--from full, direct sunlight to total darkness. Anti-reflection treatment of the screen removes over 90 percent of the reflection and glare usually found in bright sunlight. Moreover, the screen is fully lit for nighttime use. To adjust the screen's brightness, press the BRIGHTNESS key (this key isn't labelled) to the left of the display screen. For details, see "Brightness key" starting on page 3-27. Plotter function The plotter function helps you navigate if you're ever in areas that aren't represented on your installed navigational charts. The plotter function is particularly useful when you're fishing out in the open ocean and using stored tracks and waypoints as reference points. The your boat symbol is automatically displayed on a north-up grid of lat/lon lines while the system plots your position and waypoints. When you're using the plotter function, the menu keys to the right of the chart views Page 2-4 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Chapter 2 - Introducing the 961/962 still let you perform the same functions as when viewing a chart. For more about the CHART screen, see "Understanding electronic charts" starting on page 4-2. Navigational chart CDs You can tremendously enhance the usefulness of your system by using chart CDs for the regions where you plan to travel. Furthermore, new electronic charts are very likely to be more current than your paper charts. Northstar recommends that you acquire electronic charts, although it is possible to use the 961/962 and navigate without them. The 961/962 is compatible with either of the following types of charts (or both): · BSB 2.0 or newer format navigational charts (ChartKit CDs) supplied by either Maptech or NDI. These are high-quality, high-resolution NOAA digital charts providing chart coverage for most of the world. Each CD contains about 75 to 200 different charts covering a specific area of coastline. ChartPak CDs also supplied by Maptech. These charts are similar to those supplied on ChartKit CDs as above. Hydrographic Chart Raster Format (HCRF) navigational charts, such as ARCS chart CDs supplied by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). ARCS charts (Admiralty Raster Chart Format) are raster images, digital reproductions of official British Admiralty paper charts that provide superior chart-image quality and global chart coverage on a total of 3000 charts. · · All the data on these CDs comes from scanning land-mass shapes, nav-aid names and locations, depth contours, and other information directly from the official paper charts into an electronic format used by the 961/962. Between the three types of chart formats, you have chart access to every major port, all popular boating areas, and major shipping routes. Each CD covers a specific geographic area, providing CHART screen zoom in/out levels from maximum detail to a less-detailed overview. 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A Page 2-5 Chapter 2 - Introducing the 961/962 For information on purchasing BSB, ChartPak, or HCRF (ARCS) charts, see "Purchasing charts" starting on page 13-37. The CD-ROM drive is used to install all charts onto the internal chart database. For information about how to load charts, see "Loading, updating, and deleting charts" starting on page 13-35. TideTrack The TideTrack feature displays a 24-hour tide graph for any of over 3,000 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Ocean Service (NOS) tide stations covering the entire U.S. coastline, including Alaska and Hawaii as well as much of the western Canadian coastline. You can view tides for today or any other date you choose. For more about viewing tides, see "Viewing tide-station data" starting on page 4-10; for full details about TideTrack, see "Understanding the TideTrack function" starting on page 12-11. Currents The currents feature displays a 24-hour current speed/ direction graph for any date to choose. For more about viewing currents, see see "Understanding the currents function" starting on page 12-15. Introducing the controls Collectively, the controls refer to the soft rubber buttons, or keys, on the front face of the control head. Feel free to experiment with these controls! You can't hurt anything; in fact, you can probably learn many new ways of operating the system more efficiently. Whether you're entering, changing, or deleting information, you'll be asked to confirm your actions before they affect an operation. And you can always cancel a function at the last second. On each screen, menu keys with a mark designate the final step in a sequence, the step that will actually carry out the operation. Menu keys with a red mark cancel an operation, and return you to the screen you were previously viewing. Page 2-6 961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A