Connecting radio with AIS to External GPS

[Rustic Charm]

I have a Standard Horizon radio with AIS. For the past two years ive had it connected to my Northstar chartplotter which gave it access to the external gps for the chart plotter.

This week ive finally purchased and installed a new Raymarine chartplotter. I dont really want to connect the radio to the new chart plotter as it will cost me $180 just to get a damn cable to do the connection.

The gps antenna for the Northstar is still on the pushpit. Does anyone know if i can just connect the gps antenna directly to the radio? The wires that i had it connected to from the Northstar?

[unclemack]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

I have a Standard Horizon radio with AIS. For the past two years ive had it connected to my Northstar chartplotter which gave it access to the external gps for the chart plotter.

This week ive finally purchased and installed a new Raymarine chartplotter. I dont really want to connect the radio to the new chart plotter as it will cost me $180 just to get a damn cable to do the connection.

The gps antenna for the Northstar is still on the pushpit. Does anyone know if i can just connect the gps antenna directly to the radio? The wires that i had it connected to from the Northstar?

Doubtful you can use the antenna. Northstar were like Navman I think. Antenna is just that.

Not familiar with any of your components but had a similar problem.
Cheapest option for my radio after I dumped my very old GPS was to use the radio's NMEA 0183 connection. Ublox GPS module with onboard antenna and a 12V to 3.3V DC-DC converter, about £20 and half an hour.
Only simple electronic & soldering skills needed.

[unclemack]

Sorry, just remembered, £20-ish was for two of each

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

I have a Standard Horizon radio with AIS. For the past two years ive had it connected to my Northstar chartplotter which gave it access to the external gps for the chart plotter.

This week ive finally purchased and installed a new Raymarine chartplotter. I dont really want to connect the radio to the new chart plotter as it will cost me $180 just to get a damn cable to do the connection.

The gps antenna for the Northstar is still on the pushpit. Does anyone know if i can just connect the gps antenna directly to the radio? The wires that i had it connected to from the Northstar?

Contact Standard Horizon for instructions on connecting the radio to your new chartplotter. Do it right, don't mickey mouse it.

If you connect the radio to the chart plotter, you will be able to see the ships on your chart plotter screen. That's how it's supposed to be.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Contact Standard Horizon for instructions on connecting the radio to your new chartplotter. Do it right, don't mickey mouse it.

If you connect the radio to the chart plotter, you will be able to see the ships on your chart plotter screen. That's how it's supposed to be.

Ill check but i didnt think it was capable of doing that? I thought all its capable of doing is picking up the gps 'from' the chart plotter?

I have a standard horizon gx 2150

[Cruisingscotts]

Before you spend any $$$ take a look at switching to a nema 2000 backbone. There are definate limits to 0183. I used a stand alone 0183 garmin antenna to feed my VHS and HF radio, it will supply up to 3 devices. It also is avaible as a backup if the nema 2k antenna dies. The nema 2k network is much easier to expand down the road. Worth doing a cost comparison at minimum.

[sailersteve]

Not sure witch Standard H, model you have but i remember reading that my Standard H , GX2200 has a built in GPS antenna that should work if it's mounted in a non-metal cabin . Not enclosed in metal etc .
I'm hoping to find out witch wires would be used to hook up a GPS antenna with out the use of any chartplotter etc . Hopefuly before i finish rewiring my mast .

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

Ill check but i didnt think it was capable of doing that? I thought all its capable of doing is picking up the gps 'from' the chart plotter?

I have a standard horizon gx 2150

GX 2150 needs an external GPS receiver and can provide AIS output to a chartplotter for display. If you still have the owner's manual, look at Section 6.5.2 for the wiring diagram, otherwise download the manual from the SH web site. You can buy an NMEA 0183 to Seatalk cable for ~$70-$80.

[smac999]

the whole point of having a AIS receiver is so it can be connected to a plotter.


nobody looks at the tiny VHF screen. they are only used because it's easier and cheaper then other receivers.


you need some 20/4 or 22/4 twisted cable. it's probably under 50 cents a foot.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by sailersteve

Not sure witch Standard H, model you have but i remember reading that my Standard H , GX2200 has a built in GPS antenna that should work if it's mounted in a non-metal cabin . Not enclosed in metal etc .
I'm hoping to find out witch wires would be used to hook up a GPS antenna with out the use of any chartplotter etc . Hopefuly before i finish rewiring my mast .

No, mine either needs an external gps or piggy back off a chart plotter with gps.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by smac999

the whole point of having a AIS receiver is so it can be connected to a plotter.


nobody looks at the tiny VHF screen. they are only used because it's easier and cheaper then other receivers.


you need some 20/4 or 22/4 twisted cable. it's probably under 50 cents a foot.

I thought the whole idea of having an AIS receiver was to alert to when ships are coming your way

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

GX 2150 needs an external GPS receiver and can provide AIS output to a chartplotter for display. If you still have the owner's manual, look at Section 6.5.2 for the wiring diagram, otherwise download the manual from the SH web site. You can buy an NMEA 0183 to Seatalk cable for ~$70-$80.

I had the 2150 connected to my chart plotter, but it did not display anything on the chartplotter, it was simply taking the gps signal to the radio.

I've been informed this morning that my 7 inch new 'a' series will be upgraded to a 9 inch display, so that the new gps antenna will fit, so perhaps the 2150 ais function will now work on the new one?

[rendern]

RC,
I have the 2150 and it is extremely easy to hook up to the plotter and make the AIS ships appear on the plotter screen. Attach the NMEA "out" cables from the plotter to the NMEA (GPS) "in" cables on the radio so the plotter provides GPS to the radio. Then connect the High Speed NMEA (AIS) "out" cables from the radio to the High Speed NMEA "in" cables on the plotter. Make sure the ground wires on both plotter and radio are connected properly and your done. You may have a menu on the plotter to enable the AIS functionality, but it should just work. Send me a PM and I'll send you the manual on how to do it.

-Norm

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by rendern

RC,
I have the 2150 and it is extremely easy to hook up to the plotter and make the AIS ships appear on the plotter screen. Attach the NMEA "out" cables from the plotter to the NMEA (GPS) "in" cables on the radio so the plotter provides GPS to the radio. Then connect the High Speed NMEA (AIS) "out" cables from the radio to the High Speed NMEA "in" cables on the plotter. Make sure the ground wires on both plotter and radio are connected properly and your done. You may have a menu on the plotter to enable the AIS functionality, but it should just work. Send me a PM and I'll send you the manual on how to do it.

-Norm

I havn't received it yet, but my new Raymarine a series '9' inch comes with the data cables, so I won't have to purchase a separate cable and then I should be able to follow your suggestions.

[clownfishsydney]

The radio and old chartplotter were 99% sure connected via NMEA 0183. It is likely the new Raymarine will have one in and one out NMEA as well. What model is it?