Originally posted by **gotrek83** April 2, 2024
Hello,
I am an enthusiastic user of Virtual Radar Server, and I would like to suggest/implement a feature addition that I believe would significantly enhance the software's value.
**Proposed Feature:**
Enable the ability to assign and update a receiver's location in real time using a GPS device connected through a COM port or via TCP/IP. This interaction with the GPS device should adhere to the NMEA protocol, the standard for interfacing marine and GPS equipment.
**Motivation:**
This feature would allow VRS users with mobile receivers or those frequently changing locations to have their server location automatically updated based on real-time GPS data. Currently, achieving similar functionality requires third-party solutions or manual updates to the receiver's location on the map. Integrating this feature directly into VRS would greatly simplify the process and enhance the user experience for a broad range of users.
**Proposed Implementation:**
Similar to the "SimFlight" function, which connects VRS to a Flight Simulator session to update the map position based on the in-game aircraft's location, a comparable mechanism for GPS devices could be developed. Users could select a new "GPS Receiver" option in the receiver settings, configure the connection type (COM or TCP/IP), and the software would handle reading NMEA data sent by the device to update the receiver's location on the map in real time.
Discussed in https://github.com/vradarserver/vrs/discussions/118