This archive contains the source code, make files, etc for "NmeaDumper"
Copyright 2006,2009 by Jay Clegg.  All rights reserved.  Released under 
GPL license.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I am releasing this code and the information for how it works 'as-is' and 
make *NO* guarantees that it will not cause damage to your computer, your
GPS, your immediate surroundings, your health, or your sanity.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

More information about this project, here:

http://www.planetclegg.com/projects/DIY_GPS.html

Background:

The application is a *proof of concept* and NOT a finished product.  I am 
therefore releasing it in source only form. The code is rather crude, but 
hopefully easy to understand.   It is mostly useless by itself, but could
be used as a starting point for making a more sophisticated app.

It should be compilable with java 1.4 or higher.  The application 
requires the java "RXTX" library v2.1 for serial communication in order
to build and run.   Finally you will need a GPS that shows up on your 
computer as a serial device, transmitting at 4800 baud, 8N1, standard 
ASCII NMEA  sentences.   It was written specifically for the project 
described here:

http://planetclegg.com/projects/DIY_GPS.html

and has not been tested with other hardware.  At one time or another, I
have run this app on Windows, Linux and OS X. Even if it is ugly, at least
it is cross-platform.


Steps to get it working:

Install Java SDK, and the ANT build system.   You can test if ant is properly
installed by dropping to a command-line in an *empty* folder and running "ant".
If you get an ant error message, something like "build.xml does not exist", 
you're in good shape.   If the os says "command not found" or some such, 
you either haven't installed it or haven't set up your paths properly for it.

Get the RXTX Serial Library for java.   This was last seen here:
http://users.frii.com/jarvi/rxtx/index.html
I used the "gnu.io" version, specifically version 2.1
You should follow the instructions for your OS on installing it.
You also need to copy the "RXTXcomm.jar" file into the "lib" folder 
created by this archive.

Find the build.xml file that comes with this archive.  Edit it with the
text editor of your choice, and change the "serialPort" property to
match the serial port for your GPS device.  On OS X/Linux it might
be something like "/dev/tty.serial-blahblahblah".  On a windows 
machine it might be "COM7" or some such.   Save the file, then open 
a command-line window and change to the same directory as build.xml

NOTE: it's possible you may need extra classpath entries for your system.
I only tested this ant file under OS X 10.5   :-( 

Run "ant build"

(no errors?  good.  If so, check that you didn't miss something above)

Plug in your GPS device.

Run: "ant dumpNmea"

You should see a window that shows NMEA output, (somewhat) nicely
formatted.  you should see a file "here.kml" appear in the current folder.
this file can be opened in Google Earth to show your position.
The static file "reloadit.kml" is a network link to here.kml, and if you use
that instead, it will refresh google earth every 2 secs by reloading
the file.



