Northstar 961X, 961XD User guide
X
X
961
GPS Chart Navigator
Operations and
Reference Manual
✦
961
D
P/N GM1700 Revision D
Limited warranty policy
Northstar Technologies warrants the Northstar 961 to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of two (2) years. This warranty applies to the original purchaser
and to any subsequent owner during the warranty period, which begins on the date of
shipment of the unit, F.O.B. Acton, Massachusetts, to an authorized Northstar dealer.
Systems may not be returned to Northstar without a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA)
number. Call your Northstar dealer or Northstar for instructions.
During the unit's warranty period, Northstar will repair or replace, at its option, any part of
the unit it finds to be defective due to faulty material(s) or workmanship. All such repairs
and/or replacements will be promptly performed by Northstar free-of-charge to the owner,
excluding freight costs incurred in shipping to the factory. Return shipments from Northstar to points within the United States are made via ground transportation, freight prepaid.
Special shipping charges (overnight, two-day, and so on) are the responsibility of the
owner.
To be covered by this warranty, the Northstar equipment must have been in normal use.
The warranty does not apply to units with defects caused by improper installation, physical
damage, abuse, tampering, lightning or other abnormal electrical discharge, or to units
with defaced or altered serial numbers, or to units repaired by unauthorized persons or
repaired in a manner that violates Northstar’s recommended service procedures.
All repairs and/or replacements made under this warranty must be performed at Northstar’s facilities in Acton, Massachusetts. Performance of warranty work elsewhere will not
be authorized, and Northstar will not pay for any charges for such work. Northstar will not
be responsible for payment of any charges imposed by a Northstar dealer or other party for
services requested by and/or performed for a unit's owner in connection with this warranty. Such services might include removal of the unit from a vessel, inspection, packaging, handling, reinstallation, and the like.
Northstar Technologies assumes no responsibility for any consequential losses of any
nature with respect to any of its products or services sold, rendered, or delivered. The foregoing is the only warranty expressed or implied. No other warranty exists.
Contents
List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
List of Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
List of 961 Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Turning the 961 on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Turning the 961 off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Basic navigation terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Highlight One: Basic navigation terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Introducing the function keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Using the chart-view screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Navigating to a point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Reading and clearing alarm messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Introducing the 961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
System overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Introducing the 961’s controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Entering data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Caring for the 961. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
About interfacing the 961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Introducing GPS and DGPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
SAVE key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
MOB key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
IN and OUT keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Cursor pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Arrow keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Menu keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page iii
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Customizing the chart screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
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
Creating Waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Introducing waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Displaying waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Sorting the list of waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Searching for a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Creating a new waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Editing a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Erasing a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Changing the display of coordinates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
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
Page iv 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
Editing a route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Erasing a route. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-24
Creating Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Introducing tracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2
Displaying tracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Sorting the list of tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Creating a new track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Editing a track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Erasing a track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
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
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
Alarms, TideTrack, and Currents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Understanding alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2
Understanding the TideTrack function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-8
Understanding the currents function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-12
Customizing Setup Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1
Changing the display setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-2
Changing navigation setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-9
Changing the chart setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-23
Loading, updating, and deleting charts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-30
Using demo mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-62
Viewing the time information screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-66
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page v
Service and Maintenance Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
Service functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2
Maintenance functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16
961 Features and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Position data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Steer screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Waypoint and route management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Waypoint navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Trip functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Miscellaneous functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
GPS receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
DGPS receiver (961XD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
Interfacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
Physical features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
GPS Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
GPS/DGPS Combination Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1
Page vi 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
List of Figures
Figure 1: 961 function keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-15
Figure 2: 961 controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Figure 3: GPS satellites communicating with vessel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13
Figure 4: Position variances with uncorrected GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9
Figure 5: Restarting the desired track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Figure 6: Passing a waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
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Page viii 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
List of Tables
Table 1: Contacting Northstar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Table 2: Noise-level meanings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Table 3: DGPS status messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Table 4: Displaying waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Table 5: Displaying avoidance points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Table 6: Displaying routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Table 7: Displaying tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Table 8: 961 alarms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Table 9: Cross-track scale options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
Table 10: Datum list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Table 11: Reference ellipsoid constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
Table 12: HCRF chart errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-49
Table 13: Service checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-17
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List of 961 Screens
Initial startup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8
System test screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
Owner’s message screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10
Advisory message screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10
Power-off dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-12
Chart view A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-16
Chart screen with info bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-21
Chart screen with cursor location info bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-23
Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-24
Chart screen with coord waypoint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-25
Go to coordinates dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-26
Chart screen with coord waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-27
Initial startup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Power-off dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
Chart screen with menu keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Alarms screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9
Chart-screen alarm message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10
Setup menu screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Service menu screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13
Traditional steer screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-15
3-D steer screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-16
Trip screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-17
Waypoints screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
Routes screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-21
Tracks screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-23
Avoidance points screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-25
Man overboard dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-28
Chart screen with *MOB6* waypoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29
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
Chart view A with two info bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page xi
Chart view B with two info bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14
Chart screen with cursor info bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16
Chart screen with selected object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-17
Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-19
Store as a waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-21
Store as a waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-23
Store as a waypoint (for on-chart route) dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-24
Selected route point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-26
Selected trip point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-27
Selected route point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-28
Selected trip leg dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-29
Selected route leg dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-30
Selected waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-32
Edit selected waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-32
Use selected waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-33
Selected route point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-34
Chart setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-35
GPS satellite status screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Chart screen with waypoints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3
Waypoints screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4
Selected cursor position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-9
Store as a waypoint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-9
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
Vessel-position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-11
Timed vessel-position dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-12
Page xii 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-6
Future trip point dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-7
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
Alarm settings screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-7
Chart screen with tide stations and station coverage bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-9
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page xiii
Chart screen with tide graph and tide station bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-10
Chart screen with current stations and station coverage bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
Chart screen with current graph and current station bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14
Display setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-2
Password dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-7
Owner’s message display screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-8
Navigation setup screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-9
Chart setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-23
Chart setup screen (waypoints) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-25
Chart inventory screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-30
HCRF summary dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-41
HCRF summary dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-43
Charts on disk screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-45
Enter navigator permit dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-46
Deleting all HCRF dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-48
HCRF charts screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-52
HCRF charts in database screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-53
HCRF permits screen (Skipper version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-54
HCRF permits screen (Navigator version). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-55
HCRF user permit screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-56
Charts in database screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-57
Select chart source screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-61
Charts on disk screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-62
Setup demo mode screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-63
Time information screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-66
Product information screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2
Receiver information screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-4
GPS satellite status screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-9
Database function screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-11
Select database to save dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-12
Select database to restore dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-13
Select a restored database to undo dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
Save log data dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16
Page xiv 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
1
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Turning the 961 on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Turning the 961 off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Basic navigation terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Introducing the function keys . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Using the chart-view screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Navigating to a point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Reading and clearing alarm messages . . . . 1-27
T
his chapter introduces the
Manual
dures; and briefly discusses the function keys and
screens.
After reading this chapter, you’ll know how to turn on the 961
and start basic navigation operations.
Quick Start
961 Operations and Reference
; the 961’s initial startup and basic installation proce-
CHART
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page 1-1
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
Welcome
Overview
Congratulations on your purchase of the Northstar 961X or
961XD Color GPS/Raster Charting System. The 961 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 helps
guide you effortlessly to your next location. The 961X 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 961’s accuracy. For enhanced accuracy, the
Northstar 961XD combines GPS navigation with DGPS capability using an internal, fully automatic differential receiver. The
Northstar 961X also can be interfaced with other equipment;
for details about interfacing the 961, see the
GPS Chart Navigator Installation Manual
Both the 961X and the 961XD 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 either BSB charts (Maptech or NDI’s ChartKit/ChartPack
charts) or the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office’s (UKHO)
Admiralty Raster Chart Service (ARCS) charts, the 961 can provide you with truly worldwide chart coverage. With its large
color screen, the Northstar 961 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 961 offers high-definition, high-speed
screens; loran compatibility; tide data up to the year 2099; a
currents overlay, and many other navigation functions. For a
list of the 961’s major features, see ”System overview” starting
on page 2-2. For a list of 961 specifications, see ”961 Features
and Specifications” starting on page A-1.
Northstar 961
.
CHART
The 961 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
Page 1-2 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
devote more time and attention to enjoying your trip. Welcome to the world of Northstar 961 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 is of utmost importance to accurately receive and effectively use GPS signals
under a variety of weather conditions. To get the best performance from your 961, 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
961 GPS Chart Navigator Installation Manual
Northstar
.
CAUTION!
Although every effort has been made to ensure that the
961’s 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 against other
sources of navigation data.
Scope of this
manual
Whether you’re an experienced mariner, a novice boater, or
somewhere between the two, the
961 Operations and Refer-
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page 1-3
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
Using this manual
ence Manual
ing the Northstar 961 GPS chart navigator. Each of the 961’s
functions is discussed in the appropriate chapter of the manual. The manual complements the 961’s ease-of-use by
describing and illustrating these functions in a reference format that promotes quick learning—no matter what your level
of experience.
If you’re new to the 961, you’ll find the first few chapters of
the manual extremely helpful. As you learn more about the
961, later chapters will help you understand many of its
advanced, yet still easy-to-use, capabilities (see ”Organization”
starting on page 1-4).
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 and related navigational
terms. If you encounter a term you don’t understand, turn to
the Glossary for its meaning.
After using the 961 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.
is a complete guide to understanding and operat-
Organization
This “Quick Start” chapter tells you how to start up the 961
and become familiar with its chart display screens.
Chapter 2 is a comprehensive 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.
Page 1-4 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
Chapters 13 and 14 describe customizing the setup of your
961—including the loading of charts—and the maintenance
and service procedures, respectively. A comprehensive glossary is found at the back of the manual, as is the appendix
with the specifications for the 961, its GPS and DGPS antenna
(if applicable), and the optional internal DGPS receiver. To
locate specific terms or procedures, see the comprehensive
index at the back of the manual.
Sample 961 display screens throughout the manual illustrate
each function, supplementing the text with an accurate visual
description.
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 961. The
ING
boxes contain critical information—please read them!
NOTE
•
•
•
•
•
• Menu keys with a
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.
is the type style used to refer to the 961’s function
KEY
keys (located along the bottom of the 961) as well as the
961’s menu keys (located in a vertical row on the right
side of the 961). These keys are discussed further in
”Introducing the 961” starting on page 2-1, and in ”Using
the Controls” starting on page 3-1.
DISPLAY TEXT
appears on the 961’s display screens.
Sample 961 screen
961 display screens.
Figure 1
such as parts illustrations.
sequence, the step that will actually carry out the operation.
is the type style representing text that
is the type style used for captions of
is the type style used for captions of 961 figures,
✔
mark designate the final step in a
CAUTION
and
WARN-
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page 1-5
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
Technical support
• Menu keys with a red
return you to the screen you were previously viewing.
• 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.
• Unless otherwise specified, the product name 961 refers
to either the 961XD with its internal differential receiver,
or the 961X, which is differential-ready only.
• Latitude and longitude coordinates are collectively
referred to as lat/lon coordinates or lat/lon.
•The
• The 961 system may also be referred to as the unit or the
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:
CHART
view.
system.
screen may also be referred to as the chart
✖
mark cancel an operation, and
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
Sales: 978/897-0770
Service: 978/897-6600
U.S. mail:
30 Sudbury Road
Acton, MA 01720
Page 1-6 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
Table 1: Contacting Northstar (Continued)
Web site:
www.northstarcmc.com (you can send email to
Northstar from this site)
Hearing from you
Service and repair
Your feedback is important and helps ensure that this manual
is a valuable resource for all 961 users. Send your questions,
comments, or suggestions about this manual to:
service@northstarcmc.com
In case of an operating problem with your Northstar 961, you
may contact your dealer or return the unit to the Northstar
factory for diagnosis and repair. (You may want to back-up any
user-defined waypoints and routes before returning the unit
for repair; for details, see ”Maintenance functions” starting on
page 14-16.) When describing an operating problem, be as
complete and accurate as possible. Be sure to have your 961’s
serial number and software 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
unit to the factory.
The unit 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 961 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 unit 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:
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page 1-7
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
Turnin g the 9 61 on
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
your 961.
Refer to the Limited Warranty Policy at the front of this manual, and to Chapter 14 (Service and Maintenance Functions) of
this manual for more details about service procedures.
Using the PWR key
To turn on the 961:
1. Press the
corner (pressing the
and the processor).
After several minutes, the
appears, which is displayed for about five to ten seconds.
PWR
(power) key in the 961’s upper left-hand
key activates the control head
PWR
INITIAL STARTUP
screen
Initial startup screen
Page 1-8 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
After the
plays the
After the
the
ate a personal owner’s message, such as the owner’s name and
the name of the vessel, see ”System security” starting on page
13-6.
INITIAL STARTUP
SYSTEM TEST
SYSTEM TEST
OWNER’S MESSAGE
screen, the 961 automatically dis-
screen for about 10 seconds.
System test screen
screen, the 961 automatically displays
screen for about 10 seconds. To cre-
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page 1-9
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
Owner’s message screen
After the
displays the
rely solely on the 961’s chart cartography for safe navigation.
Page 1-10 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
OWNER’S MESSAGE
ADVISORY MESSAGE
screen, the 961 automatically
screen, warning you not to
Advisory message screen
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
For new units only
2. To proceed, accept the
any key.
If chart CDs for your geographical area have already been
installed onto the 961’s hard drive, and after the unit
acquires GPS signals, you’ll see your vessel symbol centered on the
the 961 acquires GPS signals, 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, the 961 displays a plotter
grid instead of a chart.
It’s normal to hear a single beep whenever you press any of the
961’s keys. An invalid keypress, however, elicits a single “boop,”
which sounds like an off-key beep.
When you first turn your 961 on, you’ll see your present vessel position at the center of the chart, represented as a small
circle. A 961 that recently has been used either
same position
minutes.
If the 961 doesn’t acquire GPS signals soon enough, however,
your last position fix (from the last time the unit ran) will be
represented by a small position-fix circle; you’ll see an alarm
message in the upper portion of the
hear the GPS alarm beep. This sequence often occurs when a
961 is used for the first time in a new location hundreds of
miles from where it was last used, and means you’re being
notified that the 961 is searching for the necessary satellites.
This data should take two to five minutes to acquire, after
which the 961 is ready to navigate.
will usually be ready to navigate within several
CHART
ADVISORY MESSAGE
screen at your present position. Until
NOTE:
CHART
screen; and you’ll
by pressing
at or near that
Checking GPS signal
quality
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page 1-11
After the 961 has acquired satellite data, 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” below.
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 the 961 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 3-26.
Turning the 961 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:
To turn off an entire system (the two heads and the processor)
with two control heads that are on:
1. Press and hold the
onds, and the 961 will turn off.
1. Press and hold the
onds until the
PWR
PWR
POWER-OFF
key for approximately three sec-
key for approximately three sec-
dialog box appears.
Power-off dialog box
2. To turn off only one head (where you pressed the
key), press the
entire system, press the
Page 1-12 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
THIS HEAD
key. Otherwise, to turn off the
BOTH HEADS
key.
PWR
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!
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page 1-13
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
Highlight One: Basic navigation terms
Bearing:
present position to a waypoint
Coordinates:
earth’s surface using latitude and longitude (see
this table), Loran-C TDs, or distance and bearing
from a fixed location. (the term TDs refers to
Loran-C Time Differences; for details, see the Glossary.)
Course-over-ground (COG):
your vessel in relation to the surface of the earth;
that is, the direction your vessel is actually moving.
Cross-track error (XTE):
your position and your desired track; that is, how far
off you are from your intended course line. The 961
displays XTE numerically (as either nm, mi, or km)
and graphically.
Desired track:
culates, which represents the path that you plan to
follow, usually from one waypoint to the next. On
the
track as a green line.
Global Positioning System (GPS):
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:
running east/west, expressed as the number of
degrees (0 to 90) north or south of the Equator.
Leg:
route or a trip.
The true or magnetic course from your
.
Coordinates specify a location on the
The actual path of
The distance between
An imaginary line that the 961 cal-
CHART
The line, or path, between two waypoints in a
screen, the 961 displays the desired
Developed by
Imaginary lines on the earth’s surface
Longitude:
face 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):
compared to a statute mile, which is 5,280 feet.
A nautical mile also equals one minute of latitude.
Position:
Route
nected 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
screen, the 961 displays a route as a dark blue
line. (If you’re “following” a route, however, the
961 copies the route into the 961’s 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):
of your vessel in relation to the surface of the
earth; that is, the speed your vessel is actually
going.
Track:
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:
coordinates of latitude and longitude, TDs, or
distance and bearing, and used as either an
intermediate or a final destination.
Imaginary lines on the earth’s sur-
One nm equals 6,076 feet,
See Coordinates.
A sequence of waypoints forming a con-
:
CHART
The actual speed
As used in 961 operations, a path that
A specific position defined by its
Page 1-14 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
Introducing the function keys
Five keys located on the lower left part of the 961 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
remembers the last-viewed screen, returning there when you
later select the function. The one exception is the
tion key, which always brings you directly to the
screen.
The function keys are briefly described below.
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
key). For each function, the 961
TRIP
Figure 1: 961 function keys
func-
STAR
ALARMS
•
CHART
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 TideTrack™ 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.
•
STEER
along the desired track to your upcoming, or active, waypoint, including 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.
961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D Page 1-15
displays two independent
displays two screens helping you to steer precisely
CHART
screens (views
Chapter 1 - Quick Start
•
WAYPTS/ROUTES
ing, adding, going to, editing, searching, and sorting your
waypoints, routes, tracks, and avoidance points.
•
•
For complete details about the function keys, see ”Using the
Controls” starting on page 3-1.
displays three different screens showing alarms and
STAR
their status (this screen is always shown first); setup functions that include how to customize your display screen
and load and delete charts; and the 961’s service-information functions, including port setup options and saving/
restoring the waypoint and route databases.
displays one screen showing the progress of today’s
TRIP
navigation plan (called today’s trip). This trip can easily be
modified.
Using the chart-view screens
Reviewing the first
position screen
After the 961 finishes its startup tests and acquires satellite
data, and after you acknowledge the advisory message, the
961 displays the
CHART
displays four different screens for list-
screen showing your present position:
Chart view A
Page 1-16 961 Operations and Reference Manual Rev. D
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