GPS Madness

[Webone]

I am getting ready to install a SSB radio and of course it needs a GPS antenna, so now I have one for the chartplotter, one for the vhf radio, and another for the AIS. The back rail is looking like a mushroom farm. Is there some way to reduce the number of antenna needed with out too much expense?

 

[JohnShannon]

well if the stuff is networked your electronics should be able to pull it off the network. AIS B is the exception, as I understand it there is a requirement for its own antenna.

Failing that you can get chart plotter with integrated GPS, you can get VHF with integrated GPS ...

 

[Jackdaw]

well if the stuff is networked your electronics should be able to pull it off the network. AIS B is the exception, as I understand it there is a requirement for its own antenna.

Failing that you can get chart plotter with integrated GPS, you can get VHF with integrated GPS ...

John is totally correct. For NMEA2k networks (with the exception of AIS-B transceivers), networked devices can be programmed to use any network GPS source. Often this can be the GPS chip IN THE PLOTTER.

If your kit is NMEA0183 you have another set of problems.

 

[Brian D]

GPS works in the cabin. Mine is on the inside top of the coach roof and I have just a wee bit of signal loss. Also, I have a Garmin handheld GPS besides my VHF. The Garmin has an internal antenna, still no problems. So just try putting your rigs GPS near the rig.

 

[quadrille38]

well if the stuff is networked your electronics should be able to pull it off the network. AIS B is the exception, as I understand it there is a requirement for its own antenna.

Failing that you can get chart plotter with integrated GPS, you can get VHF with integrated GPS ...

Not quite true on AIS B requiring its own antenna. I do have a dedicated antenna located on the Bimini frame for my AIS but friends have a splitter that allows the AIS and VHF to use the VHF antenna located at the mast head.

Using that antenna he gets an amazing range often 60 to 100 miles

 

[windward54]

Which radio are you installing, the ICOM 802? If so, you don't need an antenna, you just need the NMEA signal in. If you have a chartplotter with an NMEA 0182 output, you can run this to the radio. I have one NMEA out on my E120 Raymarine charetplotter, which I use to feed the VHF, SSB and Pactor modem.

 

[Jackdaw]

I'm pretty sure that AIS-B TRANSCEIVER (receive AND send) need to have a dedicated GPS input. This is a fail-safe designed to keep the unit functional at all times.

 

[Webone]

SSB is an 802, however plotter is a Raymarine E80 classic so no NMEA 2000 only 0183 and seatalk. SSB needs GPS for DCS system location.

 

[JohnShannon]

AIS B needs its own GPS mushroom, you can have a splitter and share the boats masthead VHF

 

[quadrille38]

AIS B needs its own GPS mushroom, you can have a splitter and share the boats masthead VHF

Actually I have one GPS mushroom and it is connected to a Digital Yachts AIS transciever, a wifi unit and to my VHF radio. So one antenna is serving AIS, the VHF and through wifi it connects to inabx on my iPad.

 

[JohnShannon]

Quad Thanks for the tip, acc Digital yachts site the unit "has its own internal GPS receiver" So we are both kinda right. Looks like better value than the RM unit I have at $800 +

 

[quadrille38]

Quad Thanks for the tip, acc Digital yachts site the unit "has its own internal GPS receiver" So we are both kinda right. Looks like better value than the RM unit I have at $800 +

Might be a different model than what I have because my GPS is external but same concept. Perhaps a next Gen product.
Digital Yacht has great products at reasonable price comparatively.

 

[Benny17441]

Yes, you may not want to advertise to potential crooks that you have multiple, valuable electronics.

 

[JohnShannon]

Well I admire a good crook. If someone took the time to read this forum, track down the boat, defeat the marina security and grab my hopefully insured stuff well not exactly more power to him but an admirable amount of effort nonetheless. Beats bashing me over the head and taking my wallet.