Plotter Not Talking To Dsc Vhf

[Wedger]

I've just connected my plotter /fishfinder and VHF/DSC. All working except the VHF isn't showing the position or time. I presume it is not reading or receiving the plotter output.

 

As the plotter is Standard Horizon 175C with FF520 black box but the DSC/ VHF is ICOM 421 the wiring instuctions confuse my simple mind.

 

Have I messed up the wiring or is there a setup procedure .

 

The whole setup was bought as a new package so I'm assuming they are compatable.

 

T

 

 

[Adam F]

Trev,

 

Their is a set-up procedure - you need to tell the GPS to talk to the VHF. Their is usually a menu section on the GPS that lets you select the NMEA output from the GPS to the VHF.

 

Have a look at this - failing that - Bob 'mr electronics' Fuller will be long shortly.

 

Adam

[reg]

Adam.

I had the same trouble as you. but a quick phone call to the importer's where they told me that I would have to download the latest update before it would work. could be worth a try worked for me.

 

Reg

[reg]

should have said Trev sorry Adam

 

 

 

 

reg

[duncan]

Trev

 

You have entered the MMSI number in the 421? Without it I dont think it shows position

 

Also that unit has a menu option not to show the NMEA input but take a manual input - checks it's set right.

 

On the 421 the NMEA +ve goes to the centre wire to the jack and either a dedicated NMEA -ve or a connection direct to the earth connection on the GPS should be made.

 

Othe rthan that the 421 seems to take the NMEA 0183 1.5 message as well as later ones despite the manual not confirming that.

 

Don't have access to a StandardH manual so cant be more specific on it's menu or wiring but it's com port will need to be configured in software as NMEA out.

[Wedger]

Thanks All,

I will check the above and report back later.

Might have enough points to get to the Boat Jumble first

Had a PM offering a 'look see' also, so should find my fumble before long

 

T

 

The NMEA -ve is to ground so I guess it's a setup issue.

[Wedger]

How Ffffffffffffffrustrating is this?

 

Checked the wiring again and I am pretty sure all are in the right slots.

 

Have checked the sentence formatter in VHF menu, in the plotter setup.

 

With IC- M421 the manual states, 'When connecting GPS receiver is compatible with several sentence formatters, the order of input precedence is RMC, GGA, GNS and GGL.'

 

In plotter setup for VHF I have tried all switched on, each one of the above individually switched on in turn, (not GNS as it's not on the list). No joy!

 

On the NMEA data page there's no data stream for VHF but there is for auto-pilot.

 

(I haven't got auto-pilot as Jim will drive when I'm tired ).

 

Any gurus out there??

 

Am I just thick..............................(Steady Mike).

 

T

 

 

[Wedger]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need I say more??

 

Mike feel free to comment..............

 

Nothing can hurt me now.

[Coddy]

Hi Trev

 

I might be wrong but a auto pilot just needs the GPS position to steer the boat the direction required.

 

So why not try connecting this lead to the VHF radio?

 

Worth a try

 

Coddy

[Wedger]

T'anks Coddy but no need.

 

Confucius he say.............

 

Read instructions propery...........

 

Then reverse wiring if no lights come on

 

You need to get ya ins & outs sorted .................. allegedly

 

When reading from 3 different manuals, the only thing that is dead easy to achieve is confusion.

 

Hence my regression to the good ol' plumbers answer to an electrical problem mit the theory of..........

 

'If it don't light up first time ............ swap the terminals

 

GOT IT

 

 

[Paul D]

Presume this means all is working OK now ?

 

[Bob F]

Trevor

 

I know you said the wiring is correct, but can I ask you to confirm which wires you have got attached where?

 

You should have the green (NMEA common) from the 175C attached to the NMEA common on the ICOM.

 

Then the 175C needs to be sending a signal out to the ICOM, so you need the Brown (output) from the 175C to be connected to the NMEA IN on the ICOM.

 

Confirm this first, and then we'll try the next step.

 

Sorry to go back to basics but need to check each step.

 

cheers

 

BF

[Wedger]

Paul,

Oh Yes!

 

Thanks to all who helped

Thanks especially to Andy who offered to drop in.

Glad to move on from this!

 

T

[Bob F]

Ooops, sorry Trev. I see you've already sorted it. Messages must have passed in the ether.

 

Well done matey.

 

BF

[Wedger]

Bob,

Many thanks

Crossed posts here.

My inexperience in reading wiring diagrams caught me napping!

Sorted.

 

Cheers

 

T

[Coddy]

Trev

 

Just remember that you only get one chance to enter your MMSI number, so check then double check it is correct.

 

Just in case it does go pear shaped, you will have to return the radio to the manufactures for se-setting.

 

Coddy

[Wedger]

Ooooooooooh yes Coddy

 

Checked it twice

 

entered it once

 

T