GPS to Connect to VHF

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Jun 7, 2007
875
Pearson- 323- Mobile,Al
We just recieved a new standard horizon VHF and it says that if I hook up a GPS it will automatically broadcast my position in case of emergency. The lat/long will also be displayed on the radio. So now I want a cheap GPS that I can hook into the radio and used the boat's power. Any suggestions??? By cheap I would like something $100 or less. I already have and old Garmin GPS but it is OLD and might not work with the new radio. http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=83&encProdID=F01BF1622A277B620DCE5B65C6FF9A28&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0
 
Jun 4, 2004
189
Catalina 30mkIII Elk Rapids, MI.
GPS

Moonsailor, I am using a Garmin 12XL connected to my Stand Horizon VHF to provide the data and it works just fine. Fair winds Dave
 

Mike B

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Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
How do you wire it?

How do you wire it to the VHF? In other words which wire from the GPS routes to the VHF?
 
Jun 7, 2007
875
Pearson- 323- Mobile,Al
The Handbook that came with the radio

The handbook lists several GPS units and tells the color of wires to connect.
 
Dec 24, 2003
233
- - Va. Beach, Va
MoonSailer

If the radio has a USP port try one of these... http://store.milltechmarine.com/buusbwasisti.html I have one and it works great; even inside the boat.
 

Mike B

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Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
No USB port but..........

No USB Port but I will re-read the manual. Just curious where you tapped into the wiring for the GPS. At the antenna end or the GPS side? I don't want to cause myself problems with the antenna signal.
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Any GPS

Moonsailor, I think any GPS with a NEMA output will work. Of course a lot of the older ones do not have this feature. I have an old Lawerence that is ten years old or so, and I believe it does have a NEMA output, so check on yours first. I believe that almost any newer unit will do the job. Lots of choices for handhelds in this price range.
 

Dan

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Jul 26, 2006
190
Hunter 420 Stamford
How to connect

MoonSailor Just to be clear: The VHF should have an input that says NMEA in + and - Whatever gps you buy should have an NMEA output (I think they all pretty much do). It would be labeled "NMEA out +", or something like that. connect the "NMEA out +" to the "NMEA in +" and the "NMEA in -" to the boat ground, or common. There may not be a NMEA -. You can probably find a cheap used gps on ebay, frankly. Mike: Not sure what you mean about "tapping into the gps wiring"
 

Paul F

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Jun 3, 2004
827
Hunter 1980 - 33 Bradenton
handheld doesn't work?

Hooked up my handheld gps. The output was only 1.5 volts and didn't seem to be enough to activate the VHS to show the position. Has anyone made a handheld work? and did you do anything other than just wire in from the gps to the radio?
 
Jun 7, 2007
875
Pearson- 323- Mobile,Al
Betting $30 on Garmin GPSII +

Well my old Gramin GPSII+ works and I checked on line and found a "bare wires " cable that allows GPS data output and a hookup to boat power. The radio has simular wires and hopefully this will work. My wife likes the ideal of the automatic distress signal with our location. If it works for $30 it will be cheap insurance. If it doesn't I might save $30 in batteries before the old gps dies. I have a GPS antenna and software that runs on my Laptop and believe it or not the boat has an old LORAN that still works though I haven't used it in several years.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
have you considered a RayStar 120 GPS antenna?

Have you considered a RayStar 120 GPS antenna. I think it will give you the signal that you want. The Ray125 output either a Seatalk or NEMA 0183 signal. These can be had for $100-150 on ebay and places like that. The 125 is more expensive.
 

Mike B

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Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
You answered my question

Dan, for the most part you answered my question. I'll look for the NMEA + connection off my chart plotter and then run a wire to the VHF input. Thanks Mike
 
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