How do I get an M6 ship to patrol a single sector

[inhand]

I have been trying to get a Spit Dragon to protect my complex, in X3 reunion. I followed the directions in the manual. Under command I pick: Combat: patrol single sector, brings up the universe map where I pick the sector, which brings up sector map, I move a blinking cursor using the number pad keys( 4,6,8,2), when I hit the number pad (Enter) nothing happens, when I hit the keyboard (Enter), it bring up the universe map again. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

inhand

[ephemeron]

You need to give it several checkpoints in the sector -- it'll take you back to the map screen until it has enough, and after that, the ship will fly from each one to the next in sequence.