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1 Overview

AGL (AutoGribLoader) is a Java 25 application that helps SailOnline sailors run their race. It takes over the repetitive jobs, and it checks your course and your DCs so that you avoid BBQs, missed marks and missing the finish line. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.

1.1 What AGL Does

Weather

  1. Creates the grib file for you each time the SOL weather is updated.

  2. Can download the NOAA GFS weather as it becomes available, for up to 16 days. For the first 180 hours the result matches the SOL grib. NOAA CFS data can extend this for long races (see NOAA Server).

DCs and waypoints

  1. A DC editor to manage your DC series, with a graphical DC Checker that checks and edits the series against the map tiles, allowing for performance loss.

  2. A waypoint editor, and conversion of waypoints to DCs, including maxVMG waypoints.

  3. A DC Data Table that loads a route from Expedition or qtVlm, to check and set as DCs (see DC Data Table).

  4. Creates a GPX file of the course waypoints and route, to load into routing packages.

  5. Creates detailed qtVlm and Expedition polar files for the race.

Checks while you race (members only)

  1. Checks your course and DCs for BBQs, missed marks and the finish line, offers fixes, and keeps checking as the race goes on (see Checking the Course). (Members only.)

Phone messages (members only)

  1. The Chats tab shows the SOL chat rooms, and has Pushover and Telegram rooms that send key events to your phone. Telegram lets you answer from your phone (see Chats).

Working with other software

  1. Integrates with qtVlm: AGL can create and launch a race-specific qtVlm for you (members only).

  2. An NMEA server that updates your boat position in real time in routing packages, including AIS messages for SOL boats.

Running AGL

  1. Sounds a boat horn when you run aground and are racing.

  2. The AGL Hub is the one AGL window on your taskbar. It has a tab for each race, so you can run several races, and it manages updates and restarts (see Installing AGL).

  3. Logs boat data to a csv file, with position data accurate to one second, and keeps a log file for later analysis. The Help menu can gather your logs and start an email to the author when you need help.

  4. A Simulator that stands in for the SOL server, so you can test AGL and what you will see on your phone without touching your real boat (see Simulator). (Members only.)

1.2 Quick Start

These are the key steps to get you going. Each one points to the part of the manual that explains it in full.

  1. Install AGL. Run the installer for your system. See Installing and Upgrading AGL 25.

  2. Start AGL. Double click the AGL25 icon. The AGL Hub opens. The first time, AGL asks for your races directory: the folder that will hold all of your race folders, for example D:\sailonline\Races. Do not use the Java25 folder. See Starting AGL for the First Time.

  3. Add a race. Click Add Race and choose a race folder, or make a new one. Open starts AGL in the folder and waits for you to press Apply. Start starts it and presses Apply for you. See Adding a Race.

  4. Fill in the Parameters tab. Enter your SOL User name and Password, choose the Race from the drop-down list, and press Apply. See Configuration.

  5. Wait for initialisation. It can take up to 30 seconds. When it is done, AGL shows the DC Checker tab, and your boat data starts to appear. See Initialisation.

  6. Check and set your DCs. Your current DCs are loaded into the Delay Commands window. Edit them, check them against the map, then press Set to send them to the server. See DC Checker Tab.

  7. Switch the checks on (members only). Tick In Control on the DC Checker tab, and Check for BBQ and Check mark roundings on the Parameters tab, so that AGL keeps watching your course while you race. See Checking the Course.

If something goes wrong, send your logs to the author. Choose Help > Mail logs... in the hub or in a race window. AGL gathers the logs, removes anything secret such as passwords and tokens, and opens a new email for you, with the folder holding the zip file beside it. Add what you were doing and what went wrong, drag the zip into the email, and send it. Nothing leaves your computer until you press Send. See Mailing Your Logs.

When that works, you may want to add:

  • qtVlm integration, to launch a race-specific qtVlm (see qtVlm).

  • NOAA grib download, for weather beyond what SOL gives (see NOAA Server).

  • Messages to your phone through Pushover or Telegram (see Chats).

  • The Simulator, to try things out safely (see Simulator).

1.3 How This Manual Is Organised