Raymarine RayTech RNS 5.0 User manual

RayTech RNS
V5.0
User Manual
Document Number: 81216_2
Date: May 2004

Trademarks and registered trademarks
Autohelm, HSB, Raymarine, RayTech, RayTech RNS, Sail Pilot, SeaTalk
and Sportpilot are registered trademarks ofRaymarineLimited. Apelco
is a registered trademark of Raymarine Holdings Limited (Registered in
all major marketing territories).
AST, Autoadapt, Auto GST, Autoseastate, Autotrim, Bidata, Marine
Intelligence, Maxiview, On Board, Raychart, Raynav, Raypilot, Raystar,
ST40, ST60, Seaclutter, Smart Route, Tridata and Waypoint Navigation
are trademarks of Raymarine Limited.
Windows and NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Inc.
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel.
NVIDIA and GeForce are trademarks or registered trademarks of
NVIDIA Corp.
Maptech is a registered trademark of Maptech.
C-Map and C-Map NT are registered trademarks of C-Map SRL.
All other product names mentioned are trademarks or registered
trademarks (if applicable) of their respective companies.
Copyright: ©Raymarine 2004

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Contents
Important Information...................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: System overview, features and requirements ...................................5
1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 5
1.2 System overview ................................................................................................... 5
1.3 System features ....................................................................................................5
Easy marine navigation ...................................................................................5
Chart formats ..................................................................................................5
Comprehensive Weather/ Oceanographic reporting .......................................6
Advanced graphical user interface ..................................................................6
3D contour display .......................................................................................... 6
Sailboat racing ................................................................................................6
Fishing ............................................................................................................ 7
1.4 System requirements ............................................................................................ 7
Minimum system requirements .......................................................................7
Optimum system requirements .......................................................................7
Chapter 2: Getting Started .......................................................................................9
2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 9
2.2 How do I install RNS ?... ........................................................................................ 9
from a CD ........................................................................................................9
from the internet .............................................................................................9
2.3 How do I run RNS for the first time? ....................................................................10
Continuing to use RNS ..................................................................................10
How do I disable the disclaimer? ...................................................................11
How do I obtain license keys? .......................................................................11
2.4 How do I set up RNS? ..........................................................................................12
2.5 How do I install instruments to RNS? ..................................................................13
2.6 How do I install charts? .......................................................................................13
C-Map NT+/PC charts from CD-ROM ............................................................13
Maptech BSB V4 cartography .......................................................................14
Maptech Contour Professional cartography ..................................................14
How do I use the chart manager? ..................................................................14

ii RayTech RNS V5.0 - User’s Manual
Chapter 3: The User Interface and controls ..........................................................17
3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................17
3.2 What does the screen show me? ........................................................................17
3.3 How do I use the interface? ................................................................................18
Drop down menus .........................................................................................18
Toolbars ........................................................................................................19
Softkeys ........................................................................................................19
Pathfinder panel ............................................................................................20
Right mouse menus ......................................................................................20
3.4 How is information displayed? ...........................................................................21
Selection dialog box ......................................................................................21
Action box .....................................................................................................21
Data box .......................................................................................................22
Alert and information dialog box ..................................................................22
Application information box .........................................................................22
3.5 Can I change what I see on the screen? ..............................................................23
How do I move around a split page? .............................................................24
Chapter 4: Using waypoints ....................................................................................25
4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................25
What is a waypoint? ......................................................................................25
4.2 How can I place a waypoint? ..............................................................................25
...at the cursor’s current position ...................................................................25
... at the boat’s current position .....................................................................25
... at a known position ...................................................................................26
How do I place a man overboard marker? .....................................................27
How do I change a waypoint symbol? ...........................................................27
4.3 How do I navigate to a waypoint? ......................................................................28
...using the WAYPT button ............................................................................28
...using the cursor ..........................................................................................28
...using the waypoints list ..............................................................................28
4.4 How do I move a waypoint? ...............................................................................29
4.5 How do I edit waypoint details? ..........................................................................29
How do I organize waypoints? ......................................................................30
How do I delete a waypoint or waypoint folder? ...........................................31
How do I use the waypoint recycle bin? ........................................................32

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Chapter 5: Using charts ...........................................................................................33
5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................33
Use your charts safely ...................................................................................33
5.2 What does the chart show me? ...........................................................................33
5.3 How do I open a chart? .......................................................................................34
5.4 How do I move around the chart? .......................................................................34
Chart panning ...............................................................................................34
Zooming ........................................................................................................34
How do I find my boat on the chart? ..............................................................35
5.5 How do I choose a chart type? ............................................................................36
5.6 How do I use chart layers? ..................................................................................36
Chart order ....................................................................................................37
Chapter 6: Using routes ...........................................................................................39
6.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................39
What is a route? ............................................................................................39
6.2 How do I create a route? .....................................................................................40
What if I place a waypoint in the wrong position? .........................................41
6.3 How do I edit a route? .........................................................................................41
How do I add a waypoint to a route? .............................................................41
How do I delete a waypoint from a route? .....................................................42
6.4 How do I monitor my course? .............................................................................43
Chapter 7: Using radar .............................................................................................45
7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................45
7.2 How do I display the radar in a new page? .........................................................45
7.3 What does the radar picture show me? ..............................................................46
7.4 Can I change how the picture is shown? .............................................................47
7.5 How do I get the best radar picture? ...................................................................48
How do I use the gain functions? ..................................................................48
How do I make a target clearer? ....................................................................50
7.6 How do I set up the radar display? ......................................................................51
How do I change the displayed range? ..........................................................51
7.7 How do I mark a position on the radar screen? ...................................................51
7.8 How do I use radar to help avoid a collision? ......................................................53
Range rings ...................................................................................................53

iv RayTech RNS V5.0 - User’s Manual
VRMs/EBLs. ...................................................................................................53
MARPA .........................................................................................................55
What is MARPA? ...........................................................................................55
What are target vectors and history? ............................................................57
How do I acquire MARPA targets? ................................................................57
How do I cancel a MARPA target? .................................................................58
How do I view MARPA target data? ..............................................................59
Chapter 8: Using sonar ............................................................................................61
8.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................61
8.2 What does the screen show me? ........................................................................61
8.3 How do I display the sonar in a separate page? ..................................................62
8.4 How do I change what I see on the screen? ........................................................62
Background color ..........................................................................................62
Scrolling speed ..............................................................................................63
Target depth ID ..............................................................................................64
8.5 How do I improve my underwater view? ............................................................64
How do I change the range? .........................................................................65
How do I select the operating frequency? .....................................................66
How do I make the picture clearer? ...............................................................67
How do I get a clearer picture of the bottom? ...............................................68
How can I see a live image of what’s below the boat? ...................................69
How do I isolate objects near the bottom? ....................................................70
How do I get a closer view of an image? .......................................................71
8.6 How do I mark a position on the screen? ............................................................71
8.7 How can I tell the depth and distance of an object? ............................................73
8.8 What kind of sonar alarms can I use? ..................................................................75
Chapter 9: Using RNS advanced features .............................................................77
9.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................77
9.2 What weather information can I see? .................................................................77
What does the screen show me? ...................................................................78
How do I get weather information from the internet? ...................................79
How do I view a weather file? .......................................................................80
How do I animate a weather file? ..................................................................80

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9.3 How can I measure distances on a chart? ...........................................................82
9.4 How do I use polars to optimize my performance? .............................................83
How do I collect data? ...................................................................................83
How do I enter and edit data? .......................................................................84
How do I graph and read a polar plot? ..........................................................88
How do I use the upwind, downwind and Vmc plot screens? ........................90
How do I calibrate my instruments to ensure data accuracy? ........................93
9.5 How do I use DataTrak? ......................................................................................95
How do I add the wands to DataTrak? ...........................................................97
9.6 How do I optimize my route? ..............................................................................98
9.7 How do I set up the pre-start display? ...............................................................999
9.8 How do I use navigation numbers? ...................................................................100
9.9 How do I transfer route and waypoint data? .....................................................102
Sending data ...............................................................................................103
Receiving data ............................................................................................105
Chapter 10: The USB Navigation keyboard ..........................................................107
10.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................107
10.2 How do I use the controls? ................................................................................107
10.3 How do I install the keyboard? ..........................................................................109
10.4 How do I set up RNS for use with the keyboard? ...............................................109
10.5 What does the RNS screen show me? ...............................................................109
Chapter 11: Troubleshooting ..................................................................................111
11.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................111
11.2 Troubleshooting RNS ........................................................................................111
11.3 How can I get Technical Support? .....................................................................114
World wide web ..........................................................................................115
Help us to help you ......................................................................................115
How can I contact Raymarine in the US? .....................................................115
How can I contact Raymarine in Europe? ....................................................116
Appendix A: Charts .....................................................................................................................117
Appendix B: Radar ......................................................................................................................121
Appendix C: Sonar ......................................................................................................................127
Appendix D: Toolbars .................................................................................................................131
Appendix E: List of Abbreviations ...........................................................................................141
Appendix F: Glossary of terms ..................................................................................................143

vi RayTech RNS V5.0 - User’s Manual

Important Information 1
Important Information
Intended use
RayTech RNS V5.0 is intended for recreational marine use. Users should note that only
authorized government charts and associated Notices to Mariners contain all the
information required for safe navigation.
Safety notices
WARNING:Navigation aid
When this product is used within a navigation system, it is only
an aid to navigation. It’s accuracy can be affected by many
factors, including equipment failure or defects, environmental
conditions and improper use or handling. It is the users
responsibility to exercise common prudence and navigational
judgements. This product should not be relied upon as a
substitute for such prudence and judgement. Always maintain
a permanent watch so that you can respond to situations as
they develop.
WARNING:Product installation
This equipment must be installed and operated in accordance
with the Raymarine instructions provided. Failure to do so
could result in poor product performance, personal injury, and/
or damage to your boat.
Disclaimers
This electronic chart is an aid to navigation designed to facilitate the use of authorized
government charts, not to replace them. Only official government charts and notices to
mariners contain all of the current information needed for the safety of navigation, and
the Captain is responsible for their prudent use.
This program and its charts do not excuse the user from carrying the required official
charts and documents.
Raymarine does not warrant that this product is error free or that it is compatible with
products manufactured by any person or entity other than Raymarine.
This product utilizes digital chart data, and electronic information from the Global
Positioning System (GPS) and weather information which may contain errors.

2 RayTech RNS V5.0 - User’s Manual
Raymarine does not warrant the accuracy of such information and you are advised that
errors in such information may cause the product to malfunction or give incorrect
readings. Raymarine is not responsible for damages or injuries caused by your use or
inability to use the product, by the interaction of the product with products
manufactured by others, or by errors in chart data or information utilized by the
product provided by third parties.
Except for the limited warranty regarding the magnetic media contained in the license
agreement accompanying the product, this product is provided ‘AS IS’ without
warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and any others
which may arise from course of performance, course of dealing, or usage of trade.
The limits of electronic navigation
Experienced navigators know not to rely on a single method of navigation for
determining their position. Two or more methods should be used to determine position
and guard against errors placing you or your boat in a dangerous position. Global
Positioning System (GPS) based electronic navigation is an amazing application of
technology, but like all other technology, has limits. A wise navigator will understand
these limits and how they affect the safety of their boat and crew.
The Global Positioning System is made up of components starting with ground based
computers to monitor and maintain the system made up of 24 satellites in orbit around
the earth. The system ends at your boat’s receiver. Like all systems it is not perfect and
any part of it can fail. GPS accuracy varies between 2 and 50 meters.
NMEA 0183 1.0 / 1.5 only supports 2 digits of latitude and longitude,giving a precision
of approximately 60 feet.
NMEA 2.0 / 2.1 supports 3 digits of latitude and longitude, giving a precision of
approximately 6 feet.
Another limitation to the system accuracy is digital charts. These electronic charts are
made by highly skilled cartographers. Surveys on which the cartography is based, were
in some cases, made over 50 years ago. So despite everyone’s best efforts, it may be
possible to have errors in the final product.
Lastly, RayTech software was developed by highly skilled and talented software
engineers and underwent a rigorous test and quality assurance program before being
released. However, it is possible that software issues or malfunctions may remain
undetected in the software. While Raymarine make every effort to find, fix and repair
software issues as they are discovered, this product is specifically not promised to be
issue free.