Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

[BoneDigger]

My new Quest (Standard Horizon) VHF has two wires that are used to connect it to a GPS unit. I presently have a Garmin E-Trex Vista and I want to hook the GPS to the VHF. Can a portable/handheld GPS be hooked to a VHF?<br /><br />I plan to upgrade to a fixed GPS later this year but would like to be able to hook this one up until then. Any ideas?<br /><br />Todd

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

Sure.

 

[BoneDigger]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

Can you ellaborate on how this is done?<br /><br />Todd

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

One my fixed mount ICOM unit they indicate that there is a hardware update that needs to be done by certified technicans and to send it in. As for a hand held I would expect that it would probably be a hardware purchase and you would need to contact the mfg.<br /><br />Not real informative but the best I got..

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

Sure,<br /><br />Garmin makes a data cable for that GPS, its part number is 010-10205-00. It has two wires, a data output + and a data output -. You will connect them to the data input wires on your radio to give the DSC feature on your radio location data that it needs to work. Nothing to it actually. You just connect positive to positve and negative to negative. I will tell you this though, and it is a real failing of the E-Trex Vista if you ask me, the data cable does not also include power input so your GPS will still be running off its batterys. I have no idea why Garmin did it that way because there is a provision for power input for the hand held.<br /><br />Thom

 

[BoneDigger]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

Thom et al, <br /><br />I appreciate the information. I called Garmin and they do make a data cable that includes the power adaptor (cigerette lighter) and the input cable to connect to the VHF, but the cost is unbelievable. They want $50 just for the cable. That's significantly more than I had hoped to drop on this one. I plan to upgrade to a fixed mount GPS in the fall anyway so I guess I'll just hold out until then.<br /><br />Again, I really appreciate the input.<br /><br />Todd

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

There used to be a guy on E-Bay who was making them up and selling them for ten bucks. There was also a website from which you could buy the plug end for about a buck and make up your own cable. I have no idea if either of them is still around but I'd keep a close eye on E-Bay if I were you. Let me ask you this, because I don't have an E-Trex myself and don't have one I can go take a quick look at either. Does it have a round plug in the back that is about 3/8" in diameter with 4 pins?<br /><br />Oh, and I should have mentioned this, anything you can buy directly from Garmin for $50 you should be able to buy from an after market supplier for about $30.<br /><br />Thom

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

Here, let me save you a ton of money:<br /><br /> http://pfranc.com/projects/g45contr/g45_idx.htm <br /><br />Thom

 

[BoneDigger]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

Thom,<br />Yes, the e-trex has the flat four pin plug. I'll check on e-bay and see what they have listed. I should have asked for the part number when I spoke to Garmin earlier, but I forgot.<br /><br />Thanks for the link on the plug. I'm not sure I would have the technical knowledge to build one of these plugs without frying my Garmin. I think they have a voltage regulator built into the lighter adaptor. <br /><br />Todd

 

[BoneDigger]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

Would this do the trick?<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34289&item=3096170160 <br /><br />Can the PC connector be rewired for connecting to the VHF?<br /><br />Todd

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Connecting a VHF to a portable GPS?

I'm sure it could. All you'd have to do is cut off the PC plug and then do a continuity test between the pins at the GPS plug end and the wires that were exposed when you cut the other plug off (actually it would just the the two wires that didn't go to the cigarette lighter adaptor). I think your manual should show you which pin is data output + and - and that's all you really need to know.<br /><br />Thom