Connecting the GPS to VHF

Shaker-King · 01-15-2004, 05:48 AM

I have been trying to get my new VHF (Uniden, Polaris)connected to the GPS (Lowrance, LMS320). Does anyone have any experience with connecting either of these units together?

I am confident in the installation and gone back and checked continuity with the signal ground and the XMT/RCV wire between the two units. In the Lowrance manual in the section for configuring the comm. port they say to call customer service for help. It is so prominent that I am suspecting a hidden menu to adjust the setting on the comm port. I am hoping that one of you have gone through a similar configuration.

No, I have not called customer service yet. I keep forgetting to take the manuals to work. Thanks for any help.

Popeye · 01-15-2004, 06:17 AM

Why are you trying to hook your VHF to the GPS

The DSC network isn't up and running around here yet. Here's a link to some info

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm

[ 01-15-2004, 07:28 AM: Message edited by: Popeye ]

Miss B Haven · 01-15-2004, 06:54 AM

This is why I use Rogers Marine for all my purchases (even do it myself stuff). If you buy from them they will be happy to help you with the install. Lots of experiance/knowledge you can't get from ordering over the internet or buying from somewhere like West Marine. Pricing is competitive as well.

Reel Creel · 01-15-2004, 03:42 PM

Rogers is a great place, i bought my navman fuel gauge there and had the same place that i got my boat from put it in because it was cheeper. And thats what i got!!! [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] It didnt work so thinking somthing was wrong with thing i went back to Rogers and asked if they would look at it? they did and it was installed wrong, so the old cat took the time to but it in right and still didnt work right. so he went in to the shop and got a new one and we put it in, NO CHARGE :shocked: and im costomer from now on. :grin:

edsr · 01-15-2004, 04:13 PM

What those guys said about Rogers!
edsr

Shaker-King · 01-15-2004, 04:17 PM

Popeye,
The reason I want to hook up everything now is because I want to know that both units work properly while they are both within the warranty period.

Miss B Haven & Reel Creel
In hind sight Rodgers may have been the way to go.

I did talk to Lowrance today and the only suggestion they had was to connect to a second comm port that is not documented. The statement that worried me the most was "I have never heard of two bad comm ports on a unit". I will try reconnecting it this weekend.

[ 01-15-2004, 05:19 PM: Message edited by: Shaker-King ]

Opportunity · 01-17-2004, 10:59 PM

From what I know , You need to connect the GPS NMEA OUT + and The NMEA OUT - to their respective counterparts on the VHF Radio NMEA IN + and NMEA IN - . Having a pinout helps. + to + and - to - .

Thats all I know.

Opportunity · 01-17-2004, 11:37 PM

One more thing :

If you need a pinout for the LMS-320 , you can go to http://www.lowrance.com/images/Pinouts/ to get a copy to print out.
Hope this helps.

Opportunity · 01-18-2004, 12:08 AM

Well , they changed the web site on me.
The new location is http://www.lowrance.com/Support/pinout.asp

I looked at the pinout and It is confusing.
Are they saying the com ground and the xmit are the two connections or do you need to connect xmit and recieve.\
Why don't they all speak the same language?

Shaker-King · 01-18-2004, 07:12 AM

Opportunity,

Thanks for the info. I used an oscilloscope yesterday to verify that the GPS was providing a signal to the VHF, it is. At least as each manual suggests. Probably, Monday I will get a hold of Uniden to see what they have to say.

Opportunity · 01-18-2004, 05:43 PM

Shaker King :

You know more than you let on. Anyone that uses an oscilloscope to analyze a signal is pretty much up to speed on electronics. I connected a Standard Horizon to a Garmin. They have compatable pinout labels so I knew they were connected correctly.
I was suprised when it started working right away. Not what I'm used to when dealing with my boat.
I had my radio and depth sounder go out within a few months of each other. Both were 15 years old but still a pain. I'm finally replacing the sounder. So the boat owners blessing still holds true . May we live in interesting times.

Good luck.

Shaker-King · 01-20-2004, 07:24 PM

Well I finally have the GPS talking to the VHF. Uniden customer support told me that the output from the lowrance GPS was incompatible with the input of the VHF. He suggested that I could put a clamping diode in series with the signal line to get an all positive signal. It worked and now I am happy.

When I think about making sure that I checked to see that the inputs and outputs were all NMEA compliant, I get frustrated.

It seems that there is a problem in the way manufactures specify the products.

The advice to have people familiar with the products and that do this all the time is sound and wise.

Thanks everyone for the advice and help.