NorthStar 941X User manual

Northstar 941X
Reference Manual
SOFTWARE VERSION 2.05
30 SUDBURY ROAD
ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01720
[phone]
Copyright 1994, 1995, 1996 Northstar Technologies P/N GM1100 Doc. Rev D

WARRANTY
Northstar Technologies, a Division of CMC Electronics, Inc., warrantees its products
to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years
from the date of shipment to an authorized dealer. This warranty applies to the
original purchaser or subsequent owner.
This warranty covers repair and/or replacement, at our option, of any part or parts
found tobe defective, provided such defects in our opinion are due to faulty material
or workmanship and are not caused by tampering, abuse, or normalwear.
All warranties are F.O.B.: Northstar Technologies
30 Sudbury Road
Acton, Massachusetts 01720
This warranty applies only to products in normal use. It does not apply to units or
circuit boards defective due to improper installation, physical damage, tampering,
lightning or other electrical discharge, receivers or mainframes subjected to fresh
water or saltwater immersion*, units with altered serial numbers, or units repaired
by unauthorized persons or in violation of Northstar service procedures.
The foregoing are the only warranties expressed or implied. No other warranty
exists.
Northstar assumes no responsibility for any consequential losses or damages of any
nature with respect to any products or services sold, rendered, or delivered.
*Certain Northstar control heads are warranty protected against damage due to
water leakage, provided the head has not been tampered with.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Although Northstar products are designed to be very useful navigation tools, they
are not substitutesfor 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.

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CONTENTS
ONTENTSONTENTS
ONTENTS !
The Northstar 941X
The Northstar 941XThe Northstar 941X
The Northstar 941X
Introduction .................................................................2
Upon First Start-up ......................................................2
Using This Manual........................................................3
941X Features...............................................................4
941X Functions.............................................................5
Comparing GPS and Loran ..........................................5
Mounting Basics ...........................................................9
Special Functions..........................................................9
The Display Screen.....................................................10
Interfacing Capability..................................................11
Using the Controls
Using the ControlsUsing the Controls
Using the Controls
POWER Key................................................................ 14
CONTRAST Key.......................................................... 14
SAVE/MOB Key...........................................................15
Function Keys............................................................. 16
Menu Keys....................................................................17
Cursor Keys..................................................................17
Keypad .........................................................................17
Special Display Windows ...........................................18
Basic Navigation
Basic NavigationBasic Navigation
Basic Navigation
Displaying Position, Heading & Speed ......................22
Position Plotter...........................................................22
Using GPS...................................................................25
Using DGPS ................................................................26
Using Loran ................................................................30
Using Phantom Loran ................................................32
1
2
3

Creating Waypoints and
Creating Waypoints andCreating Waypoints and
Creating Waypoints and
Routes
RoutesRoutes
Routes
Entering Data..............................................................36
Creating Waypoints....................................................37
Avoidance Areas .........................................................39
Waypoint Lists............................................................ 41
Coordinate Options ....................................................42
Updating Waypoint Coordinates ...............................42
Editing Waypoints......................................................43
Transferring Waypoints to a PC.................................44
Creating Routes ..........................................................44
Saving a Route ............................................................47
Changing a Route........................................................50
Waypoint & Route Navig
Waypoint & Route NavigWaypoint & Route Navig
Waypoint & Route Naviga
aa
ation
tiontion
tion
Quick-Start Waypoint.................................................54
Navigating to Waypoints............................................55
Navigating Along Routes............................................59
Restarting the Course Line......................................... 61
The NAV LOG Function
The NAV LOG FunctionThe NAV LOG Function
The NAV LOG Function
What NAVLOG Does..................................................64
Logging Your Trip.......................................................65
Changing Your Trip ....................................................65
Adding Waypoints to the Trip....................................66
4
5
6

Other Special Functions
Other Special FunctionsOther Special Functions
Other Special Functions
Alarms.........................................................................68
Screen Backlighting.....................................................71
TideTrack™..................................................................71
Internal Differential Beacon Receiver .......................74
Customizing the 941X
Customizing the 941XCustomizing the 941X
Customizing the 941X
Time of Day.................................................................78
Display Options ..........................................................78
Navigation Options.....................................................82
Receiver Options.........................................................87
Port Setup Options .....................................................90
Service Options........................................................... 91
Geodetic Datum..........................................................94
Installation and Interfacing
Installation and InterfacingInstallation and Interfacing
Installation and Interfacing
Mounting the 941X...................................................100
Wiring the 941X System...........................................102
Antenna Location .....................................................104
DGPS Antenna Coupler (ACU).................................108
Interfacing the 941X..................................................112
Programming the Output Ports ................................115
Appendix
AppendixAppendix
Appendix (Specifications) ........................................ 129
Glossary
GlossaryGlossary
Glossary..................................................................... 135
Index
IndexIndex
Index .........................................................................138
7
8
9

Figures
FiguresFigures
Figures
FIGURE 1—MAX. POSITION VARIANCES WITH UNCORRECTED GPS....8
FIGURE 2—YOKE MOUNT DRILLING DIMENSIONS...........................102
FIGURE 3—REAR CONNECTORS ......................................................103
FIGURE 4—941X GPS-ONLY ANTENNA (AN145 & AN150)..........105
FIGURE 5—941X COMBO GPS/DGPS ANTENNA (AN190).............105
FIGURE 6—STRIPPING THE COAX CABLE JACKET............................107
FIGURE 7—FLARED CABLE BRAID ..................................................108
FIGURE 8—COMPLETED BNC CONNECTOR ....................................108
FIGURE 9—ACU ASSEMBLY...........................................................110
FIGURE 10—PL 259 (UHF) CONNECTOR........................................111
FIGURE 11—INTERFACE CONNECTOR (MATING SIDE)......................113
FIGURE 12—200 PPNM OUTPUT BLOCK DIAGRAM........................115
FIGURE 13—941X DIMENSIONS ......................................................132
Tables
TablesTables
TablesTABLE 1—DATUM LIST.....................................................................97
TABLE 2—INTERFACE CONNECTOR PINS ........................................114
TABLE 3—PORT SETUP OPTIONS.....................................................116
TABLE 4—NMEA 0183 SENTENCE IDENTIFIERS.............................120
TABLE 5—CONNECTION TO NORTHSTAR 800 PORT A.....................123
TABLE 6—CONNECTION TO NORTHSTAR 800 PORT B.....................123
TABLE 7—NORTHSTAR 800 SERIES OUTPUT PORT SETUP...............123
TABLE 8—YEOMAN ELECTRONIC PLOTTER SETUP WITH 941X.......124
TABLE 9—CONNECTING TO EXTERNAL NS BEACON RECEIVER......125

Rev. D 1 — Introduction
1 — Introduction1 — Introduction
1 — Introduction Page 1
Introduction 2
Upon First Start-up 2
Using This Manual 3
Features 4
Functions 5
Comparing GPS and Loran 5
Mounting 9
Special Functions 9
The Display Screen 10
Interfacing Capability 11
his section introduces you to the Northstar 941X navi-
gator, outlining its various operational functions, in-
stallation configurations, and specifications.
Use this section to get a quick overview of what the 941X is
all about, and how you can use it to your best advantage.
1
Introducing the Northstar 941X
T

Page 2 1 — Introduction
1 — Introduction1 — Introduction
1 — Introduction Rev. D
HE NORTHSTAR 941X combines 12-channel GPS navigation with
Differential GPS capability, a high-definition display, loran compati-
bility, built-in tide data up to the year 2010, and many other navigation
features.
For the ultimate in GPS accuracy, the 941X may be purchased as the
941XD, featuring an internal DGPS (Differential GPS) receiver. This ad-
vanced system gives you even greater accuracy by accepting Differential
GPS signal “corrections” from shore-based transmitters (called “bea-
cons”), and using them to display position fixes as accurate as 2-5 me-
ters. You can also connect your 941X to any external source of DGPS
corrections meeting the SC-104 standard (such as the Northstar 8800
DGPS Sensor).
When you turn your 941X on for the very first time, you may be greeted
with a flashing exclamation point symbol in the lower right portionof the
GPS POSITION screen, and the word ACQUIRE or SKY SEARCH in
the status box at the top. The flashing exclamation point simply means
that an alarm message is present and waiting for your acknowledgment.
To see the message, press the STAR key once. The ALARMS AND
BACKLIGHT screen will be displayed.
Introduction T
Upon First
Start-up