When cruising on Questeria, we like to have a route on our chartplotter. This makes for a less stressful day. When cruising for several days, we plan the routes ahead of time and organize them using Google Sheets. We use a number of tools in the process, some of which I created myself. Below is a snapshot of a spreadsheet with our routes.
This spreadsheet contains seven routes, each on its own sheet. Each sheet contains waypoints, latitudes, longitudes, distances, bearings, durations and times. I will explain how I did this in this series of posts.
In the first post I gave an overview of the route planning process. Then, I talked about OpenCPN. In this post I talk about HomePort and, in future posts I’ll talk about ActiveCaptain and GPX Tools.
Then, I’ll walk through an example using a route that I created as part of a trip from Florida Keys to Moore Haven, FL. Finally, I’ll explain how I put the routes together in a spreadsheet and load them on our Garmin 4208 chartplotter and other devices.
HomePort
We bought a Garmin 4208 chartplotter in 2006 and I was expecting to be able to plan my routes on OpenCPN and send them to my Garmin 4208 chartplotter. At first, I couldn’t make that work. Then, Garmin came out with HomePort. I thought I would be able to use HomePort to plan routes on my computer, but it was harder than I thought. I was not used to the user-interface, and early versions had some bugs. So, I planned my routes on OpenCPN, exported them to HomePort, sent them to an SD card and copied them to our chartplotter. HomePort uses the same charts as the chartplotter and sometimes I would notice things I didn’t see using the NOAA charts in OpenCPN. Then, I started using both programs to edit my routes.
Note: Garmin uses the term “Map” in place of the more nautical term “Chart”. I will continue to use “Chart” in this, and other posts, but they refer to the same thing.
HomePort is free software from Garmin that you can use as a route planning tool. It does not come with charts, you have to copy the charts from your Garmin chartplotter to an SD card.
What I like most about HomePort is that when I create a route, it looks the same as on my chartplotter. When I zoom in and out, the detail of the chart automatically changes, I can easily switch between overview and detail.
Here is a screenshot of HomePort with routes. It looks the same on our Garmin chartplotter.
Downloading HomePort
You can start using HomePort by downloading it from the Garmin HomePort Download Page. Go to the page and choose Windows or Mac. Download the executable file, run it and follow the instructions.
When you start it for the first time you’ll see a small-scale global map (chart). It’s not detailed enough for planning routes. You have to copy the built-in charts from your Garmin chartplotter. Also, it will not show any devices until you copy your chartplotter User Data.
Setting Up HomePort
The Garmin 4208 uses a standard SD card to transfer data. Our computer is a Windows tablet, that has a slot for a micro SD card. We have a 16G micro SD card and an adapter that allows it to plug into a standard SD card slot. First, we copy the built-in map to the Micro SD card, and then we copy the User Data. User Data is all routes, tracks and waypoints stored in the chartplotter.
We use the 16G Micro SD card for other things, like NOAA charts for OpenCPN. The card is slightly more than 1/4 used with Garmin files, NOAA charts from six states and the Bahamas, and other miscellaneous files.
Copying the Charts (Map)
I plug Micro SD card into the adapter and then into our Garmin 4208 chartplotter, and select Copy Built-in Map. It takes several minutes to copy the 1.9GB file to the card. I leave the card inserted for the next step.
Copying User Data
Next, I copy the User Data. With the SD card still inserted, I select the Manage Card prompt, and then Save to Card. It prepares the card, transfers User Waypoints, Routes and Tracks. Then, I eject the SD card from the chartplotter, remove it from the adapter and plug it into my computer.
When I start HomePort, with the SD card in place, HomePort finds it and shows the charts from our chartplotter and a 4208 device with a file named USERDATA. USERDATA is an ADM file that contains all the routes, tracks and waypoints from our chartplotter.
Using HomePort
The HomePort window contains a menu bar, Toolbar, and three or four panes. The menu bar, along the top of the display, has drop-downs for File, Edit, View, Find, Tools, Device, Utilities, Charts, and Help. The Toolbar has icons for Pan, Zoom, Select, Measure, New Waypoint, New Route, New Track, Insert, Move Point, Erase, Divide, and other actions. The upper-left-hand pane contains Folders, Lists, and Devices. Beside and below that are the Routes, Tracks and Waypoints pane, a Navigation Chart pane, and/or a Fishing Chart pane. The Navigation Chart pane and Routes, Tracks and Waypoints pane may be swapped.
Folder, List and Device Pane
HomePort provides folders and lists for organizing your routes, waypoints and tracks. Folders can contain folders and lists. Lists can contain routes, tracks and waypoints. The top folder is named My Collection. A device is created when you save charts or User Data to an SD card on your computer. We have a device named 4208, with an ADM file named USERDATA, and a chart file. The ADM file contains routes, tracks and waypoints. It’s like a list, but can be transferred to and from our Garmin.
The Folder, List and Device pane is where you select a folder, list or device. Select the top folder, My Collection, to show all your routes, tracks and waypoints, or select a sub-folder or list to show a subset of your routes, tracks and waypoints. Select an ADM file on your device to show routes, tracks and waypoints coming from, or going to your chartplotter. Select a list or ADM file, not a folder, to create or modify routes, tracks or waypoints.
You can adjust the relative size of the Folder, List and Device pane by dragging the bar between it and the lower pane up and down.
Route, Track and Waypoint Pane
The Route, Track and Waypoint pane lists items in the folder, list, or ADM file that is selected in your Folder, List and Device pane. At the bottom of the pane is a search box and a hide/show filters icon. The search box is used to find an item in your selected folder, list or ADM. If Show Filters is enabled, there is a row of icons below the search box to show only certain types of items, for example routes. The selected filter is highlighted with a blue rectangle.
There is a tab between the Route, Track and Waypoint pane and Chart pane that swaps locations of the two panes.
Chart Panes
The Chart pane, or panes show your nautical chart, overlaid with your routes, tracks and waypoints in the selected folder, list or ADM file. You can elect to show a navigation pane, fishing pane or both. I show only the navigation pane when planning a cruise. If both chart panes are shown, you can drag the bar between them left or right to change their relative sizes. Swap the Navigation Chart pane and Route, Track and Waypoint pane by clicking the tab between them.
Zooming
You can zoom the Chart panes in and out when one is selected. I normally use the scroll wheel of my mouse to zoom. You can also use the minus (-) and equal (=) keys on your keyboard. Another way to zoom in and out is to hover the mouse over the triangle in the upper-left of the Chart pane to bring up a slider. Drag the slider up and down to zoom in and out. You can also zoom in by selecting the Zoom tool (magnifying glass icon) and clicking on the chart. If you have a touchscreen, you can pinch and spread. The chart will become more detailed as you zoom in and less detailed as you zoom out.
There is a distance bar in the bottom right of the chart pane that shows the chart detail. It shows a distance in some unit of measure, for example, 500 ft. It changes as you zoom in and out. If you zoom in too much for the chart detail, overzoom will appear under the distance bar.
Menu Bar Actions
The menu bar is across the top of the HomePort window and has the following drop-down tabs:
- File — Use the File tab to create new items, import/export, backup/restore, print and exit
- Edit — Use Edit to open items, undo, redo, cut, copy, paste, duplicate, delete, rename, send to, move to, etc.
- View — The View tab has actions for changing the look of your window. For example, changing the toolbar, or changing to full-screen mode.
- Find — The Find tab lets you search for locations, items, etc.
- Tools — Activates some of the tools. These tools can also be activated using the Toolbar. See below for a description of some tools.
- Device — Send to/receive from an ADM file.
- Utilities — Manage boat profiles, check for updates and set program options, such as units of measure.
- Charts — Switch charts, buy charts, install charts, etc.
- Help — Help, Garmin Forums, Report Chart Error, Check for Software Update, View HomePort License, View Garmin Privacy Policy and About Garmin HomePort.
Creating New Folders and Lists
HomePort gives you the option to organize your routes, tracks and waypoints using hierarchical folders and lists. For example, you could have a folder for every year, and multiple lists of waypoints, tracks and routes in each folder. Bit we don’t use folders like that, we just have a list for each cruise and one for tracks in the top folder, My Collection.
Every route, track and waypoint within a list or ADM file must have a unique name. This applies to both standalone waypoints and waypoints within a route. HomePort and the Garmin 4208 modifies duplicate names by appending a digit to the end. The Garmin 4208 forces names to uppercase and truncates them to ten characters. After truncating, it will append a digit to ensure no duplicates. The modified names can get confusing, so I try to keep my item names unique, shorter than ten characters, and use different lists for liked-names items.
To create a new folder, select the parent folder in the Folder, List and Device pane. Then, click File, New and List Folder. A new folder will appear in the Folder, List and Device pane. It will have a default name. Type a name for your folder and press Enter. To create a new list, select a folder in the Folder, List and Device pane. Then, click File, New and List. A new list will appear in the Folder, List and Device pane. It will have a default name. Type a name for your list and press Enter.
Tools
There are multiple ways to activate a tool. For example, to activate the waypoint tool, you can click on the flag icon in the Toolbar, click Tools, then Waypoint in the menu bar, click File, New, and Waypoint, or press “W” on your keyboard.
The Toolbar is under the menu bar. The Toolbar has groups of tool icons. The icons include, options to send or receive to/from a device, Pan, Zoom, Select, New Waypoint, New Route, New Track, route and waypoint editing, view options, tide, current and others. Some of these tools can be activated using the menu bar Tools drop-down. When you activate a tool, the cursor will change to indicate which tool is active. Deactivate the tool the same way you activated it, or by selecting another tool.
Select Tool
The Select tool is the default tool. Activate it by clicking the pointer icon or pressing “S” on the keyboard. Use the select tool to select a route, track or waypoint on the Chart pane.
Pan Tool
To pan, select the Pan tool (hand icon or “H”). The cursor will change to a hand. Hold the mouse and drag the spot around the Chart pane. The Pan tool can sometimes be used to select items on the Chart pane.
Creating a Waypoint
To create a waypoint, select a list in the Folder, List and Device pane. Then, activate the Waypoint tool (flag icon or “W”). The cursor will change to a flag. Click on the Chart pane to create a new waypoint. Deactivate the Waypoint tool by clicking Waypoint (flag) icon or pressing “W”, the Pan tool will be activated. A new waypoint will appear in the Routes, Tracks and Waypoints pane. HomePort will assign a name and symbol to the waypoint. Double-click on the waypoint in the Chart pane or Route, Track and Waypoint pane to open the waypoint. There, you can rename the waypoint, choose a symbol, edit the position and set other options for the waypoint.
Creating a Route
To create a route, select a list in the Folder, List and Device pane. Then, activate the Route tool (Three squares connected with a line icon or “R”). The cursor will change to a pencil. Click on the Chart pane to create the starting waypoint. Move the cursor and click to create the next waypoint. Continue creating waypoints until you reach the end of your route, or the edge of the Chart pane. Deactivate the Route tool by clicking the Route icon or pressing “R”. The Pan tool will be activated. Click the Route icon or press “R” again to continue adding waypoints to your route. A new route will appear in the Routes, Tracks and Waypoints pane. HomePort will assign a name to the route. Double-click on the route in the Chart pane or Route, Track and Waypoint pane to open the route. There you can rename the route and set other options.
Route and Waypoint Editing Tools
For me, creating a route is an iterative process. I start at a high-level, create a few waypoints and zoom in and refine. Select the route or waypoint to edit by clicking on the item or name. There are four tools for editing the selected item. If you make a mistake, you can undo it by clicking Edit, Undo, or pressing Ctrl-Z on your keyboard.
Insert Waypoint
Use the Insert tool to add waypoints to an existing route. First, select the route by clicking on the name. Then, activate the Insert tool by clicking the Insert icon (+ and Pen) or pressing “I” on the keyboard. The cursor will change to a Pen+. Next, click on the route where you want to insert a waypoint. Then, move the cursor to where you want the waypoint to be and click. A new waypoint is now added to the route. Continue inserting waypoints as desired. Exit the Insert tool by clicking the Insert icon or pressing “I”. The Pan tool will be activated.
Move Waypoint
Use the Move Point tool to move a standalone waypoint, or a waypoint in a route. First, select the route or waypoint by clicking on the name. Then, activate the Move Point tool by clicking the Move Point icon (Pointer and Square) or pressing “M” on the keyboard. The cursor will change to a Pointer and Square. Next, hover the cursor over the waypoint to be moved. The waypoint will be highlighted. Then, click and drag the cursor to where you want the waypoint to be and release the mouse button. The waypoint is moved.
Erase Waypoint
Use the Erase tool to remove waypoints from an existing route. First, select the route by clicking on the name. Then, activate the Erase tool by clicking the Erase icon (Eraser and Square) or pressing “E” on the keyboard. The cursor will change to an eraser. Next, hover the cursor over a waypoint in the selected route. The waypoint will be highlighted. Then, click to remove the highlighted waypoint from the route.
Divide Route
Use the Divide tool to split an existing route into two or more routes. First, select the route by clicking on the name. Then, activate the Divide tool by clicking the Divide icon (Scissors) or pressing “X” on the keyboard. The cursor will change to a pointer and scissors. Next, hover the cursor over the selected route, where you want to split it. The last part of the route will be highlighted. Then, click to split the route into two routes. You now have another route in your list. Exit the Divide tool by clicking the Divide icon or pressing “X”.
Other Useful Actions
Here are some common actions performed with the File or Edit drop-down menu bar.
Deleting or Removing an Item
You can delete or remove anything you can create. For example, folders, lists, routes, waypoints, etc. In general, you click on the item to be deleted to select it. Then, you click Edit, in the menu bar and look for options to delete or remove. You can also right-click on the item. To delete a route, track or waypoint, you must have a List or ADM file, not a Folder, selected in the Folder, List and Device pane. You may have the option of removing the item from the selected list, or deleting it everywhere. When removing a folder, list or ADM file, you may be given the option to Remove and Delete Unique Content, or just Remove. If you delete or remove something by mistake, click Edit, Undo to restore it.
Duplicating an Item
To duplicate a folder, list route, waypoint, etc., click on the item to select it. Then, click Edit and Duplicate. HomePort will assign a default name to the duplicate item. I sometimes duplicate a route and edit it to create an alternative.
Renaming an Item
To rename an item, click on the item. Then, click Edit and Rename, type the new name and press Enter.
Sending or Moving an Item
Use Send To… to copy items to lists or ADM files. First, select the item to be copied by clicking on it. Then click Edit and Send To… You will get a menu of folders, lists and ADM files to select your destination. Use Edit, Move To… to move a list to another folder.
Joining Routes and Tracks
You can join multiple routes or tracks into one. We use this feature to create a new route from two or more routes, or one track from multiple tracks from the same day that were created when our GPS lost and regained its signal. First, select all the routes or tracks to join by clicking on the names while pressing the Ctrl key. Then, click Edit, Advanced, and Join the Selected Routes… or Join the Selected Tracks… You will see a menu that allows you to choose the order of the routes or tracks. Click Ok when ready.
Exporting GPX Files
Share routes tracks and waypoints with other programs as GPX files. Select the route, track or waypoint to be exported. Then, click File, Export, and Export Selection… A file explorer menu will come up to specify where to store the file.
Importing GPX Files
You can import GPX files on your computer that were created by HomePort or other programs. First select the List that you want to import the route, track or waypoint into. Then, click File and Import to ‘list name’… You will get a File Explorer menu. Select the file to import and click Open. You will see the new routes, tracks or waypoints in the selected list.
Transferring To/From Chartplotter
The Garmin 4208 has limited memory for routes, tracks and waypoints. Therefore, we don’t store routes that we don’t plan to use right away. When track memory fills up, it will overwrite the oldest track, so at the end of the day, we save our tracks to HomePort. When we anchor in a new spot, we like to save a mark and copy it to HomePort as well. To ensure they are both in sync, we copy USERDATA to our SD card every time we stop for the day. Then, we copy any new items to HomePort and organize them in lists. We edit any new waypoints, remove any routes that we are finished with, replace any routes that have been modified and add any new items we might want. Then we write it back to the Garmin 4208.
We have a list that is only for completed tracks. We send any new tracks to the list, and combine them into one track per day. Then we rename them to trackYYYYMMDD (year, month and date) so we can go back and find them later.
The steps we use to copy data from the Garmin are:
- Exit HomePort, safely remove Micro SD card from computer and insert it into adapter.
- Turn on Garmin and select Agree.
- Insert SD card adapter into Garmin.
- Select Manage Card
- Select Save To Card
- Select USERDATA Save To Card
- Select Yes to Overwrite this file: USERDATA
- The Garmin will say:
- Preparing Card
- Transferring User Waypoints
- Transferring Routes
- Transferring Tracks
- Card Prepared
- User Waypoints Transferred
- Routes Transferred
- Tracks Transferred
- Transfer Complete!
- You can eject the SD card from the Garmin unit.
Next, we insert the Micro SD card into the computer, and start HomePort. Select USERDATA, under 4208 device and we can see an exact copy of what is in our chartplotter. New waypoints will probably have default names and symbols, so we edit those. New tracks will have default names, we send those to the Tracks list, where we combine and rename them. If we have modified any routes or waypoints on the Garmin, we send them to our working list. Next, we update USERDATA with any new routes or waypoints. If we have any changes to routes or waypoints, we remove the old ones from USERDATA and send the updated items. Otherwise, HomePort treats them as duplicates and renames.
We copy the data back to the Garmin before we move the boat again. The steps are:
- Exit HomePort, safely eject the Micro SD from the computer and insert it into the SD card adapter.
- Turn on Garmin and select Agree.
- Insert SD card adapter into Garmin.
- Select Manage Card
- Select Replace From Card. (We don’t select Merge From Card because we always keep our Micro SD card up to date.)
- Select USERDATA
- Select Replace From Card.
- The Garmin will say:
- Receiving User Waypoints
- Receiving Routes
- Receiving Tracks
- User Waypoints Transferred
- Routes Transferred
- Tracks Transferred
- Transfer Complete!
Our Garmin chartplotter is now in sync with HomePort and ready for our next trip.
Summary
HomePort has many features. I’ve used it for a number of years, but I discovered new things about it when writing this article. The Garmin charts are excellent, and you can zoom and pan seamlessly. If you have a Garmin chartplotter that is compatible with HomePort, I encourage you to try it — you have nothing to lose.
Next
The next article in this series talks about ActiveCaptain. Later articles include GPX Tools and an example that puts it all together.