New GPS And VHF

[RGrew176]

Last August I purchased my Carver. It is an 81 with some old electronics. The marine VHF radio transmits but does not receive. I think the speaker is shot so I will be purchasing a new VHF when I launch next month. The GPS worked my first time out and it worked good. When I next came aboard the unit would not turn on. I called Garmin gave them the model number. They said the unit is so old they no longer have any parts to repair it. They said it is a unit from the 80's.

I was really wanting to update the GPS anyway so the fact that the unit died only means I will need to replace it sooner rather than later. I was hoping to get this upcoming season out of the old unit but twas not to be.

I stopped by my local West Marine yesterday and looked at a few units mainly Garmin. I decided to get this unit:

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-t...rod529894.html

I love the 9" screen on this model. It has a lot of data on the maps and at least the one in the store has some good data for Canadian waters.

I also needed a new VHF since the one that came with the boat the speaker did not work and it was an old radio too.

This is the one I purchased.

http://www.standardhorizon.com/index...3&isArchived=0

It will go nicely with the new GPS I purchased earlier. One of the features of this radio I really like.

The GPS Position of a received DSC Distress or Position Request call can be shown on a compatible GPS Chart plotter simply by connecting 2 NMEA wires.

Since my new GPS is compatible I may connect the two wires. It will then display on the GPS the positions of other vessels. Kind of cool I think. I have spent about $1500 and I have yet to launch.

 

[JoLin]

Nice units, Rick, and good price on the GPS. I installed the same VHF last year when I realized that I couldn't interface the VHF to my (also new) Raymarine GPS, without adding a Ray network backbone. Never occurred to me that it wouldn't be plug-n-play. Hats off to Standard Horizon. The price of that unit with built-in GPS isn't a whole lot more than a bare-bones VHF. If I ever need to use the DSC switch it'll transmit my coordinates, too.

Suggest you also replace the VHF antenna. They do degrade over time and my new Shakespeare made a big difference.

 

[RGrew176]

Did not think of the antenna but probably a good idea to replace that too.

 

[boatman37]

thats the same radio i bought last year. woks great. no complaints

 

[jhebert]

The GPS Position of a received DSC Distress or Position Request call can be shown on a compatible GPS Chart plotter simply by connecting 2 NMEA wires.

Since my new GPS is compatible I may connect the two wires. It will then display on the GPS the positions of other vessels. Kind of cool I think. I have spent about $1500 and I have yet to launch.

These articles may be helpful in making a NMEA-0183 connection between your Standard-Horizon radio and your Garmin chart plotter:

http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816

 

[jhebert]

First, congratulations on buying the Carver yacht. The Carver yachts have always had a good reputation.

For help in interfacing the two devices you have, I first had to figure out what you have, since you never mention them by name. I hope this is correct, but my deduction about what devices you are asking about is as follows:

The chart plotter is a Garmin echoMAP? CHIRP 94sv and the radio is a Standard Horizon GX1700. I hope that is correct. I believe you want to interface them with NMEA-0183. To help you accomplish that, see the following specific information I have prepared:

For the NMEA-0183 signals and wire colors of the Garmin echoMAP? CHIRP 94sv, please see

http://continuouswave.com/forum/view...6&p=5295#p5350

For the NMEA-0183 signals and wire colors of the Standard-Horizon GX1700 please see

http://continuouswave.com/forum/view...6&p=5295#p5296

For advice on how to interconnect the Garmin echoMAP? CHIRP 94sv and the Standard-Horizon GX1700 using their NMEA-0183 signals, please see

http://continuouswave.com/forum/view...6&p=5295#p5295

 

[dpoff]

Connecting the two together will also show YOUR position in case of an emergency after you hit the "emergency" button on your radio.

 

[NYBo]

Sign up for an MMSI number. You mentioned Canada. You will need to go through the FCC for the proper license and MMSI number if you plan to cruise Canadian waters. http://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html

 

[RGrew176]

Sign up for an MMSI number. You mentioned Canada. You will need to go through the FCC for the proper license and MMSI number if you plan to cruise Canadian waters. http://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html

Already applied for and received my MMSI number as I have to input that number into the radio first time I turn it on. It can be put in later but it is easier supposedly when you turn on the radio the first time.

As to the need for a ships station license, technically when in Canada you are supposed to have a license. At the Detroit Boat Show in February there was a booth that was manned by Canadian officials. I asked do I need to have a license to use my radio there. They said yes but we will not harass any American boaters who are using their radios with in normal limits like calling for a bridge opening, a lock opening, a marina for a dock assignment and normal ship to ship communication. If you are abusive on the radio they will act. That said it is best to apply for and have a Ships Station license. I believe its a couple hundred dollars and somewhere down the road I will apply for one just to be safe.

 

[JoLin]

Already applied for and received my MMSI number as I have to input that number into the radio first time I turn it on. It can be put in later but it is easier supposedly when you turn on the radio the first time.

That reminded me that I need to break out the manual. There's another place in the VHF to enter the MMSI number, so that you can test it periodically without making a 'real' distress call. It's a menu option somewhere in the VHF. USCG has an automated response system that'll tell you if your MMSI signal was transmitted and received. I did it once last year, but either didn't access or save it properly.

What I like about the radio is that sometimes for a short or well-known trip I don't feel like breaking out the Chartplotter, or I'll be all set to pull away from the dock and realize that I left it in the car or down in the cabin. The VHF alone shows me position, course and speed. Awfully handy gadget.