Does anyone know if a RayMarine ST600x controller will convert the NMEA data that it receives via its NMEA input into SeaTalk or will it only display the data that it receives?
-- Geoff
-- Geoff
RayMarine ST600x, SeaTalk and NMEA
- Thread starter geoffschultz
- Start date
- Status
It will accept some NMEA sentences as input that are then available to Seatalk-networked instruments, but the Raymarine autopilot controller will only output heading data at its NMEA port. The bridge resolves all of these issues (it is Raymarine Part # E85001).
Some of the aftermarket bridges, like the ones that are NMEA multiplexers, have some issues with their Seatalk translation... so may or may not work for the intended purpose.
I'm not trying to do anything. I'm involved in a discussion about this in rec.boats.electronics and my statement was that the ST600x wouldn't convert the NMEA sentences into SeaTalk. Others disagree, so I was just trying to get some other opinions. I'm firmly in the camp that RayMarine won't give away functionality that they sell a box for!
Here's what I said in r.b.c:
Anyhow, I was just making sure that I was on the right page...
Thanks, Geoff
Well the manual does have how all this works
I know, I know, but if you are setting one up you might want to know this stuff.
The manual is available at RayMarine. There is also a special manual that comes with the unit that covers all the details of SeaTalk/mnea interfaces.
As I recall it takes NMEA in and spits it out to the seatalk net but does not take the seatalk date and convert it to NMEA.
I know, I know, but if you are setting one up you might want to know this stuff.
The manual is available at RayMarine. There is also a special manual that comes with the unit that covers all the details of SeaTalk/mnea interfaces.
As I recall it takes NMEA in and spits it out to the seatalk net but does not take the seatalk date and convert it to NMEA.
Which manual are you talking about? The ST600x manual is quite confusing and doesn't begin to provide a clean answer to the question.
I would claim that this is far from a clear statement as to what the ST600x controller does with NMEA data.
-- Geoff
Geoff, It has also been my experience that the NMEA is not translated into Seatalk within the unit but displayed as NMEA. It will convert NMEA to Seatalk using the Raymarine interface. The units usually prioritze Seatalk over NMEA. If a GPS is connected to an autopilot it does see the GPS as NMEA. The GPS is treated differently from other Raymarine devices connected through Seatalk. That same GPS that is seen as NMEA connected to an autopilot is seen as Seatalk when connected to a Seatalk/NMEA interface. I don't know if any of this will help your discussion. Chuck
Geof,
The manuals are quite confusing indeed. Raymarine tech support is helpful when you actually get through to them. However, they all seem pissed to talk to you because of working long hours. They didn't even respond to my last email; but, I digress.
My computer talks just fine to my Ray Autopilot via NMEA. (I believe it is the same one as yours but not 100% sure.) It is my understanding that if you are going to have more than 1 NMEA device then you will need the NMEA network hub spoken of earlier in this thread.
The manuals are quite confusing indeed. Raymarine tech support is helpful when you actually get through to them. However, they all seem pissed to talk to you because of working long hours. They didn't even respond to my last email; but, I digress.
My computer talks just fine to my Ray Autopilot via NMEA. (I believe it is the same one as yours but not 100% sure.) It is my understanding that if you are going to have more than 1 NMEA device then you will need the NMEA network hub spoken of earlier in this thread.
Apparently you can transmit your position over a VHF radio that is NEMA compatible. Is that correct?
If so the ST6001 A.P. course computer has a NEMA connection and is connected with SeaTalk to the controller. I have the ST60 suite of instruments and the C90W GPS/Chart all connected via SeaTalk. Will the course computer relay the GPS position to a NEMA connected device, thus acting as a SeaTalk to NEMA bridge?
If so the ST6001 A.P. course computer has a NEMA connection and is connected with SeaTalk to the controller. I have the ST60 suite of instruments and the C90W GPS/Chart all connected via SeaTalk. Will the course computer relay the GPS position to a NEMA connected device, thus acting as a SeaTalk to NEMA bridge?
If you have a DSC capable radio, you need to connect the NMEA 0183 input on the radio to the NMEA 0183 output of your GPS. With the better DSC capable radios, you can also connect the NMEA 0183 output of the radio to a chartplotter's NMEA 0183 input and boats contacting you via DSC can be shown on your chartplotter, if your chartplotter supports this DSC feature.
Even Raymarine's own VHF radios require the connection to be via NMEA 0183, as SeaTalk is not supported.
Even Raymarine's own VHF radios require the connection to be via NMEA 0183, as SeaTalk is not supported.
The Icom M504 I have, as well as several other Icom models have that capability. I believe that Standard Horizon has a couple of models that do as well. Look in the owner's manual or installation manual and see if it has NMEA out and in... many have only NMEA in...
I'd recommend looking at the Icom M304. IIRC, it has both NMEA in and out, and is relatively reasonably priced. About $130 street.
I'd recommend looking at the Icom M304. IIRC, it has both NMEA in and out, and is relatively reasonably priced. About $130 street.
What you're looking for is a VHF with class D DSC capability. NMEA in and out. Not all VHF units sold as DSC have this capability. You must double check the catalog description.
Not all Class D DSC VHF radios have this feature. The Raymarine Ray54 VHF radio is described as:
But does not have the NMEA Out capabiity... I got rid of mine for that reason.
- Status