NMEA0183 format is very confusing

[bhead62]

I just upgraded my old VHF to a waterproof DSC type. The initial installation was very straight forward and got it programmed with my new MMSI number.

The new UNIDEN UM380 VHF comes with a pigtail of bare wires for the accessory cable. These are the wires that connect to my GPS/chartplotter.They are designated as such in the manual as 'GPS DATA', 'NMEA OUT' and 'NMEA IN' and a few others.

My JRC Chartplotter 500F has a MNEA connector on the back that connects to these bare wires by means of a cable but these have a different designation like 'DATA COMMON', and DATA + OUTPUT'.

A little research on the web and there must be a hundred different connecters/adapters to choose from to make this happen. This should be way simpler. I cant believe the USCG wants us to be safer but puts these obstacles in our way. There doesn't seem to be any standard on cabling and connectors. Do I need to have a radio electronic expert to link these two together? And where would I find one? My boat mechanic wants no part of it. It can't be this hard can it?

So I guess my task as hand is, find the proper connector that attaches to my Chartplotter and one that crimps to the bare wire on the VHF, figure out how to translate the pin designations from one brand to another and run a cable between the two without causing a meltdown.

My head hurts already....

any guidance would be much appreciated

Bill

[wen]

You typically have to make a soldered connection.
You have to use the particular manufacturer's data connections. You should be able to get the connections from the manufacturer's web site.
I have Lowrance and yes, can be a little confusing.I called Lowrance for for confirmation on what I thought the connections should be, problem solved.
So, look up your connection diagram, call the manufacturer and you should be fine. I don't think you can blow anything up with a data connection,just so you don't connect a voltage source to a data connection you should be fine.
Good luck.
Wen

[Seahunter]

For the life of me I can’t figure out why people have problems with this. Its a simple as hooking up a sprinkler (GPS) to faucet(VHF) using a garden hose.

I guess some of the confusion stems from the fact that most units have DATA IN and OUT connections to facilitate bi-directional (back and forth) communication where as DSC is a directional protocol (one way) and therefore only requires one wire from each unit

So let’s think about this for a minute.

FROM = OUT
TO = IN

The VHF gets the data from the GPS so….GPS is DATA OUT. The GPS sends the data to the VHF so….VHF is DATA IN

The DATA COMM is the ground. The DATA COMMON wires from each unit get connected together then are grounded then get connected to the ground on the boat.

[wen]

Sea HUnter-- Depends on the manufacturer and what they want to call the various connections
Talker/Listener
"A"/B"
Trans-
Trans+
Rec+
Rec-

It can get confusing for folks that don't do this kind of stuff regularly.
Wen

[redneck7]

Where are you located Bill? If you're anywhere near me and still haven't got it working, I'd be glad to stop by and help you sort it out. I just finished my FF to GPS to VHF to EPIRB cable NMEA 0183 install and its fresh in my mind...

EDIT to include: I just saw that I missed by a month...oh well...offer still stands if needed.

[bhead62]

Where are you located Bill? If you're anywhere near me and still haven't got it working, I'd be glad to stop by and help you sort it out. I just finished my FF to GPS to VHF to EPIRB cable NMEA 0183 install and its fresh in my mind...

EDIT to include: I just saw that I missed by a month...oh well...offer still stands if needed.

Thanks for the offer Redneck but it looks like you're pretty far from me though.

I still havn't linked the two together. It might be one of those projects I take on during the off season. I believe I have figured out the pin configurations (thanks WEN!) now I just need to acquire the cable and proper termination ends.

Bill

[REEL THING]

Make sure the GPS NMEA 183 is turned on.

[IntegratedMarine]

If you need further help with this installation I will be right out to handle this for you.

Integrated Marine Services LLC
yachtserv@comcast.net
410-279-8035