Connecting AIS Transponder to Raymarine E80

[nigel1]

Hi,

Thinking of adding an AIS transponder to the boat this year, and wanted some advise of what AIS to fit.
Problem is that the E80 is connected to the B&G Network instruments and autopilot via the E80 NMEA port (there is only one NMEA port).
If I went with something like the Digital Yacht AIS Digital Yacht - Light Years Ahead
then I assume that I would need to use a NMEA multiplexer.
Another option would be the Raymarine AIS AIS500
According to the blurb, this unit has a built in multiplexer.
Has anyone connected something similar, or are there other options, stumbling blocks?

[NDH]

I have a Digital Yacht AIS transceiver with a Raymarine C120, just used the Raymarine multiplexer, works a treat, no complaints, straightforward to install.......

[nigel1]

What else is connected to your C120 on the NMEA port?

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

We have the Raymarine 500 with a C120W and the only thing you have to do to attach it through the NMEA port is change the baud to 38400. I think we have a 2000 backbone because we are also running a ST70.

[nigel1]

Thanks Hannah, I guess the AIS500 has the ability to convert the 38400 baud rate out from the C120 back to a baudrate of 4800 for those instruments which use 4800.

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Or maybe the backbone does, I'm not sure. There is something like a multiplexer on the backbone. But I am 'way over my head on the intricacies of this.