VHF with built in GPS in the Cabin

[CCR2580]

I have a Garmin VHF200 connected into my NEMA 2000. When the Chartplotter is on ( also connected to my NEMA 2000) the VHF at the nav station reads the GPS position. If you attach an outdoor helm mic it too reads the GPS position. Plus if you have a horn attached to your mast you can connect it to the Garmin VHF 200 and page at both both nav station and helm. Plus it has automatic fog horn.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by FamilyVan

Which reminds me, Colemj, several months ago you gave me some advice on increasing the range setting, at the time I couldn't figure it out, but I since have.

Really? I remember after that exchange downloading the manual and seeing that SH did indeed shorten the range settings on the GX2000 compared to the GX2150.

Maybe the manual was wrong, or they changed it with a software update?

Mark

[FamilyVan]

Your manual was correct, it is less than the 2150 (50'), but I could only get the range scales from 1/2-10 mile scales at the time, but I have since figured out how to get it up to the maximum 30 mile scale.

Not that you can find a 30 mile horizon on the St Lawrence any way.
Sent from my XP7700 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[OS2Dude]

One benifit you may not have thought of to having a connection from your DSC VHF to your chart-reader is some chart-readers can accept a DSC signal from the VHF and display it as well as AIS data received.

It is not that hard to run the cable considering the benefits.

[hamburking]

I use an old garmin etrex (yellow) below all the time. I used it below on a swan 48 crossing the atlantic...I'd lie in my bunk with the gps and "watch" what was happening. Although a clear view on the sky helps, the fiberglass deck of a boat has little affect on GPS reception. Steel and metal is what blocks the signal.

[hellosailor]

"Cell phones in buildings are different; they use assisted-GPS,"
Yes and no, A-GPS is sometimes an option. If you had an original Samsung Galaxy phone (sold as the AT&T version Samsung Captivate) your A-GPS could not work, at all, because Samsung had them all programmed to use a test server that they shut down before the phones ever shipped. Ooopsie.
And A-GPS is an option on many phones these days, not always enabled.


More important is that the VHF use a "SirfStar3" or "SirfStar4" third or fourth generation GPS chip, or an equivalent. These are radically more sensitive (ask for the numbers on sensitivity, they will be in decibels) than the older generations were. A 4th generation GPS chip can 'see through' the typical wood or fiberglass cabintop witout any problems. 3rd generation often will work too.


If the radiomaker can't tell you the sensitivity of their GPS chip, pick another brand.

[Horus]

I fixed, the GPS antenna of mij AIS (DiditalYacht) direct under the GPR-deck. I t is doing its job fine.

[Dave22q]

No problem with modern GPS units. I have a dongle connected to my laptop via USB and the reception in the cabin is fine. AIS is indeed a good thing but to some a few hundred extra is not trivial.

[Orion Jim]

I have a Standard Horizon GX2200 mounted in the cabin and I have utilized only the built in antennae. It works perfectly and has quick acquisition of the GPS satellites. I use a hand held VHF for line of sight communication on deck.

[ramblinrod]

Inside installation is not a problem on fibreglass boats, unless water can pool in the area over the radio.


+1 for Standard Horizon GX2000, a lot of bang for the buck. I recommend these to anyone querying who could find themselves in shipping lanes.


From a pro install standpoint, the NMEA 0183 cable from plotter to VHF is going to cost about $20 parts and $100 labour for every 10 feet of cable run. If you have a plotter with only NMEA 2K and VHF only accepts NMEA 0183, now you have more cost for the adapter. Makes a lot of sense to pony up a few extra bucks for built in GPS, and then a lot of sense to pony up a few more for AIS. Then pony up a few more for a wired remote mic at helm, so you can hear it when the engine runs, and reply without going below.


A handheld at the helm is fine (for short distance, and when charged) but the permanently mounted helm RAM mic is awesome.


Ramblin Rod
www.sheenmarine.com

[colemj]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

From a pro install standpoint, the NMEA 0183 cable from plotter to VHF is going to cost about $20 parts and $100 labour for every 10 feet of cable run.

Holy crap! Are there really people who would pay someone $200 to run 20' of small wire???

Mark

[DefinitelyMe]

Standard Horizon GX2200 works beautifully down below. What's your boat made from?

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by colemj

Holy crap! Are there really people who would pay someone $200 to run 20' of small wire???

Mark

Lots!

They are the ones who's stuff works when it needs to.

Those who wanna pay 10 bucks or a couple beers, not so much.

Ramblin Rod
www.sheenmarine.com

[svseawitch]

To add to Family Van's comment. Yes, the built in AIS feature is very helpful. Knowing where the ships are is helpful. Being able to push a button and have the ships VHF start beeping so they must answer your call is priceless.
If you have one of the SH radios, try to find a friend that is transmitting AIS and practice selecting a specific boat and DSC calling them.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

Lots!

They are the ones who's stuff works when it needs to.

Those who wanna pay 10 bucks or a couple beers, not so much.

Ramblin Rod
www.sheenmarine.com

Mate, if it takes you, as a self announced 'pro" an hour to run each ten feet of twisted pair, I think I'll continue to DIY! I'm pretty slow, but I can usually beat that rate of progress.

And my stuff generally has worked over the years...

Jim