Having Problem with NOAA Chart Download Sites

Pat Anderson

OK, all is good getting to the pages that precede choosing the charts:

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download.htm

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download.htm

But when I click the button "Proceed to NOAA RNC (BSB) Downloads," all I get is a blank page...

I assume it has to be some security setting in my browser, I turned off "block popups," did not solve the problem. Same thing is happening on Mac as Windoze computer, and Firefox and Internet Explorer...except IE says "Page cannot be displayed" instead of just showing a blank page. Same result on both raster and ENC (BSB) download pages.

Is this just me or is the NOAA Chart Server not working?

Sneaks

dogon dory · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:25 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:38 pm Post subject:

I guess I'm glad they are not in charge of the space program...it used to work fine for me, I downloaded quite a few charts maybe a year ago.

Larry H · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:09 pm Post subject:

Pat,

Maptech has a free chart viewer and free chart downloads. Here is a link to the chart viewer: http://www.maptech.com/support/doc.cfm?docid=172&plid=24

And here is a link to the free charts:

http://www.freeboatingcharts.com/

They also sell chart navigator programs.

dogon dory · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Larry.

MapTech's method of delivery is not as universal as NOAA's, which just zips up the actual charts - MapTech sends you a Windoze executable to install the charts. Guess I can install on the PC, burn a CD with the actual chart files and then copy to the MacBook - I want to play a little with MacENC (which reads both ENCs and raster charts).

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:39 pm Post subject:

Pat - assuming you have a newer Intel based Mac - for not too much $'s you can buy and install parallel and also run Windoze on the mac (in a separate window under OX10). This is a bit nicer than running bootcamp which requires a re-boot to run Windoze. I run Windoze on my mac only rarely but use it for a few scientific programs that are not available for the Mac. Windoze is just as good (and just as bad) running under OS10 as it is running on a regular PC.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:

WARNING!! OFF-TOPIC RANT!!

Thanks, Roger, I do have the Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook, so Windoze would be an option. I have read about Parallels, but just don't want Windoze within striking distance of this little jewel. OSX it is for me. NeoOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, Nvu, CyberDuck, Seashore, Inkscape, Audacity, HandBrake, ISOlator, Burn, Skype, iChat, iTunes, really nifty little Widgets, I'm loving it. So far have spent exactly zero on software. No extended boots (boots to OSX in under 30 seconds), no "failure to initialize," no slow program startup, no "program not responding" errors, no constant disk churning when I'm not using it, no hour glass, no dicey installs/uninstalls, no hangs on shut down, NONE of that stuff any more. The lack of a daily security update is kind of nice too. When my PCs die, as they surely will, they are going to be replaced with Mac desktops.

Honestly, the Emerpor has no clothes...

rogerbum wrote:

Pat - assuming you have a newer Intel based Mac - for not too much $'s you can buy and install parallel and also run Windoze on the mac (in a separate window under OX10). This is a bit nicer than running bootcamp which requires a re-boot to run Windoze. I run Windoze on my mac only rarely but use it for a few scientific programs that are not available for the Mac. Windoze is just as good (and just as bad) running under OS10 as it is running on a regular PC.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:26 pm Post subject:

Larry H wrote:

Larry H · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:30 am Post subject:

Steve,

These charts are in the Maptech/BSB3 file format.

I don't remember if the free viewer can print, but after downloading the free viewer and some charts I found a deal at Cap't Jacks to buy a DVD with a functional chart navigation program and ALL of the US marine charts and US rivers charts.

The program I purchased can print, but only from the program.

For the price, I think this is a deal. It was $19.95 + shipping.
That is about the price of one paper chart.

Here is a link:
http://www.capjack.com/index.cfm?page=USBoatingCharts

I think for the price, its easier than downloading, and you can plug a USB GPS chip into the computer and actually navigate.

thataway · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:45 am Post subject:

Maptech (on the page linked above) has the Offshore navigator lite, plus all of the charts, including those of the Corp of Engineers for the rivers on a single DVD for $49--it was $39 about a year ago.

I figured that it was worth the hassel for a few bucks to have the charts on DVD, then you can down load either needed charts, or keep the entire series on the computer in folder or on an auxillary hard drive. You can also down load the most recent chats and this reader will read them.

I found this much easier and far less time consuming than trying to download, even with a cable connection. These charts are printable, and will take GPS input, planning, routes etc. The Charts are exactly like those which come with the chart book when you buy it....for a lot more money.

Larry H · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:20 am Post subject:

Bob,

I just re-clicked on that link and the current price is $19.95!!

The program only works on Windows XP and 2000 however, so perhaps its a clearance sale. No mention if it will work on Vista.

It does save a lot of download time!!

Dora~Jean · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:48 am Post subject:

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at it tomorrow. Would still like to print them in addition -- don't trust a 'puter farther than I can throw it after in salt air for a few weeks (thinking Alaska...).

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:59 am Post subject:

Hey Pat,

We use MacENC (the free version) with our MacBook Pro. Got the raster and ENC charts off the NOAA site. I only use it for planning, but it sure beats the paper charts (which we also have in chartbook form) for being able to zoom in. Click - drag - click, and you have a distance and bearing. Easy.

Best wishes,
Jim B.