Expedition Navigation Software / Configuring Actisense NGX-1

**Posted by Tigger_B** 7/08/2025 3:55 am

Hi All,

I have purchased and installed an Actisense NGX-1 to transmit the AIS data (that my Edge processor won't handle) into Exp. It works really well, once I have established the correct configuration (Transfer mode, baud rate 115200), and I am very happy with this setup.

It's configuring the NGX-1 on start up that I am finding a bit tricky. If I understand the Actisense manuals correctly, Exp should set the mode to 'Transfer' and the baud rate to 115200 when it connects. This currently doesn't happen for me, so instead I have to use the Actisense NMEA Reader or Toolkit software to connect to, and then configure the NGX-1, from it's default 'Convert' mode, 4800 baud rate to 'Transfer' at 115200.

Can anyone help? Am I wrong with my thinking about the role of Exp in the configuration of the NGX-1 or have I missed a setting / other user error?

Many thanks!

**Posted by Nick** 7/08/2025 1:58 pm

Exp uses an Actisense auto detection scheme where it attempts at 115k and then 230k if it fails.

Until recently, it was the other way around but I had to change it for a user who had a port and an old NGT that didn't support 230k.

Exp will almost certainly connect at 230k.

You do not set anything in NMEA Reader etc. Also, you can't have connections from NMEA reader and Exp at the same time.

**Posted by Nick** 7/09/2025 4:54 pm

Fyi, Exp no longer uses the Actisense auto-baud detection scheme in today's update.

You can now select either 115 or 230k.

**Posted by Tigger_B** 7/11/2025 9:26 am

Thanks Nick,

I've updated to the latest Exp version, but it is still not changing the NGX-1 setup from it's default boot status (Convert @ 4800 baud rate). I had a mail from Actisense confirming that they are expecting it to be configured by the software using their device.

When does Exp send the config instruction to the NGX-1? I have tried all different ways to connect without using the NMEA Reader (Exp running, plug in the USB-C cable, then 'Reconnect Instruments' / USB-C connected, boot up Exp, etc) but nothing has worked. The Network 0, Websocket data works every time.

For info - I have a B&G Edge, with an ethernet connection into a multi-block. The NGX-1 is connected into the mulit-block's USB-A port and the output USB-C is into my laptop. In Exp the Actisense is seen as Com 4.

**Posted by Nick** 7/11/2025 7:34 pm

You can set the device's baud rate in NMEA Reader. For various reasons, I don't want to update the device's eeprom from Exp.

All the NGT and NGX I have all came working with 115k or 230k

**Posted by Tigger_B** 7/12/2025 12:02 am

Ah, ok - so I need to set the NGX-1 to 'Transmit' mode, at 115k, in the NMEA reader software and match that with the 115k in Exp. I misunderstood previously as I thought Exp would do that configuration step.

Thx for the clarification Nick.

**Posted by Nick** 7/12/2025 2:59 am

You set the serial baud rate to 115 or 230k in Hardware config.

Normally you don't need to unless you have changed it to 4800 for NMEA 0183.

**Posted by Tigger_B** 7/12/2025 6:35 am

Hi Nick,

I really don't want to touch any of the settings!

When the instruments are first powered up, the NGX-1 starts in its default 'Convert' mode (0183 to N2K) @ 4800 baud rate.

I want / need it to be in 'Transmit' (gateway) mode at 115 or 230k to provide the AIS inputs into EXP. The only way I know how is to use the Actisense NMEA Reader software to change the NGX-1 mode.

Once the NGX-1 is in the correct ('Transmit') mode, Exp connects and everything works fine.

I was checking if the NMEA Reader was needed to change the mode as Actisense informed me that this shouldn't be needed as the software (Exp) should configure the NGX.

If the NMEA Reader is the necessary, then that's fine for me!!

**Posted by Nick** 7/12/2025 12:47 pm

You only need to set it once in the NMEA Reader Hardware Configuration window.

This is not the same as just connecting to it with NMEA Reader. You need to do it in the Hardware config window.

NMEA Reader spends a lot of time searching for the baud rate and then setting it to 115k or 230k. We do not want to do this in Exp. I also do not want to do the eeprom programming in Exp.

**Posted by Tigger_B** 7/14/2025 10:48 pm

Thanks Nick,

I have been in contact with the Actisense support team again. They tell me that the NGX-1 will always reset to Convert mode at 4800 after a power cycle.

As Exp doesn't currently trigger a mode / baud rate change for this then, they tell me, the best way to do this is to use the NMEA Reader software:
- select Com port with the NGX-1
- set baud rate to 4800
- wait a short while
- change mode from Convert to Transfer
- wait a short while
- set baud rate to 115k
- check data is flowing
- exit the port & software

As mentioned, this isn't too much hassle to do once on power-up, I am sharing here in case anyone else has another view, or to help in case someone else is looking into this.

Last edited by Tigger_B (7/14/2025 10:49 pm)