Adding GPS to DSC...

[Boracay]

Can anyone comment on the best way to add GPS to the DSC on a VHF radio.

I have an Eclipse GX1000S and there are wires to connect to the GPS but no hints on what would be best.

Something cheap that I can mount on my steel cabintop would be ideal.

[Pblais]

Can anyone comment on the best way to add GPS to the DSC on a VHF radio.

It's about connection of the GPS to the VHF radio. It means you need a GPS out plus a ground wire if you want to hit the panic button and transmit your ID plus you location on Ch 70. DSC works if you don't have a GPS connection but it would be helpful to know where you were should you pull the trigger. The connection to a GPS makes that happen. I'm not aware of any GPS with an OUT signal that won't work. Most Radios use an RCA style jack connection.

[Martinini]

Do an online search for your radio's manual so you know which wires to connect. Trial and error might short something out. Absolutely look for RCA jack connections. Good luck.

[Boracay]

What I'd really like to know is: Can I bolt on this device from this supplier, connect these wires and it'll cost $nnn.

I'd prefer to keep the VHF and linked GPS as independent as possible so they can serve as backup if something else fails.

[Martinini]

If you know which wires are the correct ones yes. I did a search on your radio and found that the links to online manuals had been removed. Seems they want you to have to purchase a new one from them. Not a good sign.

[SoonerSailor]

I was able to download the manual from the link site. Looks like the blue wire from the accessory cable goes to the NMEA + output from the GPS, and the green wire to the NMEA common (-) of the GPS.

[Beausoleil]

Originally Posted by Martinini

If you know which wires are the correct ones yes. I did a search on your radio and found that the links to online manuals had been removed. Seems they want you to have to purchase a new one from them. Not a good sign.

SoonerSailor beat me to it!

The manual is located at the "Files" tab on the GX1000S product page.

I'm not sure what Paul and Martinini are referring to with respect to the RCA jack. RCA-style jacks are usually for analog audio or composite video signals and for digital audio - not for NMEA connections. In fact, there is no standard NMEA-0183 jack, since the NMEA never bothered to define one as far as I know. They corrected that mistake for NMEA-2000...

Most VHF radios have a pigtail with bare leads for NMEA, hailer, etc...

[Martinini]

Kudos --- SoonerSailor Can you email him the manual? Might come in handy in the future.

[sabray]

what device are you bolting down. usually the gps has nmea out. You could have a garmin 76 or a high dollar chartplotter they both have the capability.You already have the vhf the connections are usually + - and common. Im confused what are you asking?

[cal40john]

I think that you are asking for this:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=162&pID=13191

A GPS that outputs NMEA, no screen, no charts, no features. Mount works above or below decks.

There are other manufacturers that make the same thing.

John