Just purchased a Standard Horizon radio with DSC, and there wasn't much info on how to hook up a GPS other than, "connect it to these wires". I know how this works, but wonder how others make the connection from a practicle standpoint. That is, to a chart plotter, second GPS at the nav station, etc. Thanks!
GPS connect on DSC VHF Radio
- Thread starter Randall B361
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2 pair phone cable
I just used some telephone wire cable to make a run from where I hook me laptop serial port up for our Nobltec Visual Navigation software which is wired up to the GPS. It takes about 10 seconds or so once I turn the GPS on until the siginal shows up on the radio.
I just used some telephone wire cable to make a run from where I hook me laptop serial port up for our Nobltec Visual Navigation software which is wired up to the GPS. It takes about 10 seconds or so once I turn the GPS on until the siginal shows up on the radio.
NMEA - is NOT ground
The NMEA spec does not require that NMEA - is at the same potential as the ship's 12v system ground. The NMEA - and the VHF radio ground *might* be the same, but there is no specification that requires it to be. Wire the radio in to the ship's 12v B+ and B- Wire the GPS NMEA to the radio's NMEA + and - If the NMEA - and the B- (12v ground) are connected inside the radio ... fine no harm done. If the NMEA signal circuit does not use B- as a reference, connecting the NMEA - to B- may cause data problems in the NMEA circuit. The radio has four wires for a reason. If NMEA - was the same as 12v ground, it would only need three.
The NMEA spec does not require that NMEA - is at the same potential as the ship's 12v system ground. The NMEA - and the VHF radio ground *might* be the same, but there is no specification that requires it to be. Wire the radio in to the ship's 12v B+ and B- Wire the GPS NMEA to the radio's NMEA + and - If the NMEA - and the B- (12v ground) are connected inside the radio ... fine no harm done. If the NMEA signal circuit does not use B- as a reference, connecting the NMEA - to B- may cause data problems in the NMEA circuit. The radio has four wires for a reason. If NMEA - was the same as 12v ground, it would only need three.
GPS/VHF
Thanks for all the input. Sounds like another fun project! Cruising through the Standard Horizon web site I saw a new electronic item the had a chart plotter, dsc/vhf radio, sounder, etc. all in one unit. Eventually I guess we'll wear all this crap on our wrist!
Thanks for all the input. Sounds like another fun project! Cruising through the Standard Horizon web site I saw a new electronic item the had a chart plotter, dsc/vhf radio, sounder, etc. all in one unit. Eventually I guess we'll wear all this crap on our wrist!
What kind of chartplotter do you have ?
I have a Raytheon RL70 CRC -- pretty common chartplotter and this is how I did it. Most Chartplotters (Like the RL70CRC) have an "NMEA Out" which consists of 2 wires for the NMEA (and sometimes a "shield" wire) Here are the Specifics for the Raytheon RL70 to a Quest Standard Horizon VHF The RL70CRC has a 4pin connector/cable for NMEA out but only 3 are used. Pin 2 on the RL70 (which is the white wire thats on the cable that came with the raytheon unit) is the NMEA Ground and connects to Green Wire on the Quest VHF Pin 3 on the RL70 (which is the Blue wire (or possibly brown in some literature) thats on the cable that came with the raytheon unit) is the NMEA Signal and connects to the Blue on the Quest VHF Pin 5 on the RL70 (which is the sheild or sometimes called screen thats on the cable that came with the raytheon unit) is a sheilding for the cable which helps keep RF noise out of and into the cable. Its debatable whether this should or shouldn't connected to the chassis of the VHF -- My feeling is either way should be fine, but if you are having flaky operation of the GPS readings on the VHF then either connect it if it isn't - or disconnect it if it is. But I surmise that it won't be an issue with a 4800 baud signal on a boat. Just as an FYI - the Quest VHF doesn't even have a "sheild" connection defined on its NMEA input Confusing enough ---- LOL
Do not use the Seatalk that Raytheon uses for its gear to talk to other of its gear (its a proprietary format, and not compatible with NMEA 0813)
I have a Raytheon RL70 CRC -- pretty common chartplotter and this is how I did it. Most Chartplotters (Like the RL70CRC) have an "NMEA Out" which consists of 2 wires for the NMEA (and sometimes a "shield" wire) Here are the Specifics for the Raytheon RL70 to a Quest Standard Horizon VHF The RL70CRC has a 4pin connector/cable for NMEA out but only 3 are used. Pin 2 on the RL70 (which is the white wire thats on the cable that came with the raytheon unit) is the NMEA Ground and connects to Green Wire on the Quest VHF Pin 3 on the RL70 (which is the Blue wire (or possibly brown in some literature) thats on the cable that came with the raytheon unit) is the NMEA Signal and connects to the Blue on the Quest VHF Pin 5 on the RL70 (which is the sheild or sometimes called screen thats on the cable that came with the raytheon unit) is a sheilding for the cable which helps keep RF noise out of and into the cable. Its debatable whether this should or shouldn't connected to the chassis of the VHF -- My feeling is either way should be fine, but if you are having flaky operation of the GPS readings on the VHF then either connect it if it isn't - or disconnect it if it is. But I surmise that it won't be an issue with a 4800 baud signal on a boat. Just as an FYI - the Quest VHF doesn't even have a "sheild" connection defined on its NMEA input Confusing enough ---- LOL
Do not use the Seatalk that Raytheon uses for its gear to talk to other of its gear (its a proprietary format, and not compatible with NMEA 0813)Laptop/Garmin
Tom S I charter often in Florida, so have used some type of portable navigation that I'm familiar with. At first, hand held GPS and paper charts. Lately I've used a laptop with maptech's ocean navigator software and garmin's gps 18 usb. This is a gps reciever that's about 2" diameter, less than 1" thick and is powered from the computer's usb cable. Gets great reception too - picks up 5 to 6 strong satilite signals inside the boat. When I eventually move the boat to the coast - soon, I hope - then I'll get a chart plotter and hook it up to the radio.
Tom S I charter often in Florida, so have used some type of portable navigation that I'm familiar with. At first, hand held GPS and paper charts. Lately I've used a laptop with maptech's ocean navigator software and garmin's gps 18 usb. This is a gps reciever that's about 2" diameter, less than 1" thick and is powered from the computer's usb cable. Gets great reception too - picks up 5 to 6 strong satilite signals inside the boat. When I eventually move the boat to the coast - soon, I hope - then I'll get a chart plotter and hook it up to the radio.
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