nmea 083

No Reservations · 03-28-2008, 07:40 AM

Is anyone familiar with a garmin or any other handheld gps with nmea 0183 output that can hookup to my vhf radio. I have a garmin fish finder combo already but no nmea out put. Looking for a inexpensive alternative so I can hook up my radio.

HiTekRdNek · 03-28-2008, 07:48 AM

I guessing that you mean Nema 0831 standards?
If so it is an older standard. And most GPS's are able to transmit or recieve this protcol you just have to select it in the setup menu.
Before you buy just make sure it meets these standards.
Hope this helps.

Phil Layer · 03-28-2008, 08:26 AM

My Garmin GPS V has the output that connects to my VHF. You can get these on the auction site for really cheap. They have a tiny b/w screen and not a lot of features but work fine for communicating with the radio.

Reelentless · 03-28-2008, 10:03 AM

I think its NMEA 0183. What is the model of your GPS unit?

Pilar · 03-28-2008, 10:27 AM

Dislexic fishermen.

NMEA 0183 is the old standard. Almost everything is compatible to it.

If you want DSC you will need a two way connection. 4 wires, no big deal. Google NMEA 0183 and you'll need the tech manual for each unit you want to connect. The hardest part is finding a durable connector you can easily disconnect to remove the electronics from your boat.

Boats · 03-28-2008, 01:48 PM

Pilar got it.

DSC does not require GPS to work, but having it will add functionality for postion sending. This is particularly nice to have if you want to be configured to send your lat/long in an emergency.

DSC does require an MMSI number which you can get from free at http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

Good luck!

Orca · 03-28-2008, 03:24 PM

And to answer your original question - A Garmin eTrex can send NMEA 0183 out. About $100 or less. If you don't have a covered boat, the connection on a model 72 would be better, they are around $120. the eTrex legend is about $125 and has a base map of N/S America which may come in handy on land. The 72 has major cities and tide tables. The basic eTrex has neither.

The cheapest way to cable up is to build your own using the ends from here - http://www.pfranc.com/projects/g45contr/g45_idx.htm .

Pau Hana · 03-28-2008, 06:24 PM

DSC without GPS funtionality seems rather useless......

No Reservations · 03-28-2008, 08:21 PM

I now think I understand the process I have a new garmin 498c in order to enable the dsc polling I simply need to buy a plug connect it to the proper wires on the harness from the gps and plug it into my oceanus (uniden) dcs series vhf marine radio. Am I correct in assuming that nmea output enables the dcs polling on the radio is this a correct assumption.
Thanks for your input.
Wes

Pau Hana · 03-28-2008, 08:32 PM

In a way- the radio is a standalone DSC unit;

-having the NMEA input (GPS to VHF) allows for positional data to be sent as part of the DSC call.

-NMEA output VHF to GPS) allows for a DSC received position to be displayed on an equipped GPS unit.

Orca · 03-28-2008, 09:30 PM

Your Garmin and Uniden already have the required cables. On the 498, Blue is NMEA Out +. On the Oceanus, Green is NMEA In +. Hook those two wires together. The Oceanus doesn't provide GPS out data, so you can't plot DSC positions from your radio on your plotter. But you will have position data sent with any outgoing DSC calls.

Get an MMSI number at BoatUS and enter it into the radio. Hook up the 2 wires and you are done.

No Reservations · 03-28-2008, 09:40 PM

Orca

Thanks I will give it a try in the morning ok maybe afternoon it's 24 outside right now in Bend !!!!

No Reservations · 03-29-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnied

Orca

Thanks I will give it a try in the morning ok maybe afternoon it's 24 outside right now in Bend !!!!

Ok
Got a look at the radio today orca is correct I need to hook blue to green. My wiring expertise is very limited the acc plug on the oceanus is a male plug is there an adapter or do I simply cut the plug off to expose the green wire. I do not plan on adding speakers or anything else to the radio in the future.
Thanks
Wes

No Reservations · 03-29-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnied

Ok
Got a look at the radio today orca is correct I need to hook blue to green. My wiring expertise is very limited the acc plug on the oceanus is a male plug is there an adapter or do I simply cut the plug off to expose the green wire. I do not plan on adding speakers or anything else to the radio in the future.
Thanks
Wes

Anybody?

Orca · 03-29-2008, 04:10 PM

Each unit should have a "pigtail" - that is a cable with a molded plug on one end that plugs in to the unit, and bare wires on the other end to connect to power, ground, and NMEA out/in. It would be like 3 - 6 ft long. If somebody else installed your electronics, then it is stuck up under the dash, or under the gunnel.

Don't cut up the molded end, you would just have a mess then. Follow the cable from the molded plug at the unit to its end. You should find it connected to power and ground somewhere for both units. Here you should find the blue and green wires. The wires you want to hook up will be at the end of the cable and may be taped up, heat shrinked to the main cable, or possible cut off flush with the outher cable sheath.

No Reservations · 03-29-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orca

Each unit should have a "pigtail" - that is a cable with a molded plug on one end that plugs in to the unit, and bare wires on the other end to connect to power, ground, and NMEA out/in. It would be like 3 - 6 ft long. If somebody else installed your electronics, then it is stuck up under the dash, or under the gunnel.

Don't cut up the molded end, you would just have a mess then. Follow the cable from the molded plug at the unit to its end. You should find it connected to power and ground somewhere for both units. Here you should find the blue and green wires. The wires you want to hook up will be at the end of the cable and may be taped up, heat shrinked to the main cable, or possible cut off flush with the outher cable sheath.

Orca I bought the boat used with the radio already installed I can not find the pigtail for the radio the gps pigtail I have I installed it myself. I guess I will have to order the female end with the pigtail on it. don't know what else to do other than cut off the male connector.
Thanks for your help I have been looking online for the pigtail but can't seem to find it.

Orca · 03-29-2008, 07:56 PM

I see now, the pigtail is missing for the Oceanus ACC connection. Dang. I don't find one anywhere on the web. There are probably a bunch lying in junk drawers - where yours is (with the previous owner). I can't find a match to that plug either.

You might call Uniden and they may be able to get you one. Otherwise, since you don't have anything else connected there, I guess you could cut it off at get at the green wire. Insulate all the other wires and you would be OK. If you cut it off, check to make sure the wire colors are the same inside and that green does come out to pin 4. If not the same color, then use whichever one comes to pin 4.

No Reservations · 03-29-2008, 09:28 PM

Orca
Had a small brain storm after a couple of rum and cokes I just slit the acc cable with a razor blade clipped and pulled out the green four pin wire yes they were color coded inside the sheath. Re shrunk wrapped the cable should be good to go if by chance I do decide to add speakers or something. I will hook it up in the am.
Thanks again for the advice !!!
Wes

Orca · 03-30-2008, 10:25 AM

Excellent fix. Now you can easily go back to the plug if you locate one.