GPS Receiver Connection to VHF Radio

[carboman]

I have a Holux GR213 I am trying to get working with a Uniden UM380 radio that has GPS input capability. I have the power hooked up right but cant get gps data to come into the radio. The lines in red are the connections I have doubts about. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[navigator97]

I would think that the Bare wire Ground of the VHF should be connected to Pin 4 Ground and not to Pin 3 D-. The Black Wire Speaker Ground could also connect to Pin 4 Ground, but I don't think it has to. Give that a try. It should work and shouldn't hurt any thing. Also on the radio you may have to do a "select" to receive data and display it. Check the VHF instructions again carefully, as well as the GPS instructions. Good luck with it.

 

[caguy]

I had the same problems with a Uniden radio and Garmin GPS. After weeks of trying I finally gave up and bought a West Marine radio. Hooked it up the same way and it works like a charm.

 

[carboman]

Uniden support sucks! I sent another email and will call tomorrow, but am seriously thinking of getting rid of this radio (UM380). I also read some really bad reviews about how it has a low voltage alarm that renders it useless below 11.8-12.5vdc. Not sure of the exact cutoff voltage. More to follow, hopefully positive.

 

[twalker H260]

From page 7 of the holux manual it looks like you are trying to tie into the USB connector rather than the ca-6v30v connector.

Based on the labelling on the connections in the manual I would be surprised if the USB cable connection could be configured to provide the Nmea software protocol from the device. Each of the optional cables seem to have a block attached which likely tells the GPS what communications protocol and method is being utilised - ie. parallel, serial, Nmea, rs232 etc.

Connection using with the high power connector looks fairly straight forward and would allow you to connect to ships power for the GPS as well with no further transformers/adapters to provide the 5v power the USB would require.

Looks like you could try to tie in directly to the female ps2 connection but you still have the issue of supplying 5v power using that method and I wouldn't be sure the software interface will be active with this method - see 3.3.1 diagram of the manual.
Manual isn't very clear on how the different interfaces are activated. - you might want to email the GPS manufacturer to clarify.

Manual is here if you need it

http://www.holux.com/JCore/en/products/DLF.jsp?DLU=180482.pdf

Good luck!

 

[carboman]

some very good points here. i will check it out with holux. has to be one of the points you mentioned. i will keep all posted.

 

[carboman]

Uniden's response:

Thank you for using our system.
We can make no recommendations on GPS units. They need to have the NMEA 0183 w/ 3.01 version.

So I am going to look for a version 3.01 unit and check it out thoroughly before buying.

 

[twalker H260]

Looking around a bit it looks like the uniden should be able to understand the version 2.2 sentences provided by the holux ( comparing 2.2 sentences on holux manual p4 with the uniden sentences required on p46 of the uniden manual). Searching the web others have successfully connected a v2.1+ nmea GPS to a VHF using v3+. If they have a plotter type GPS however they can't use the output from the radio to show nearby boats.

 

[carboman]

Sorry to say I am bailing out on this venture. Looks like I really need a version 3.01 NMEA compatablile GPS reciever and from what I can tell they are $170.00. Think I will go for the ACR PLB for $279 instead. Seems more in line with what I was really needing to begin with.