Connect a Silva S15 VHF and Garmin GPS 76 NMEA !!

[Yeoman_24]

I am trying to connect a Silva S15 VHF DSC and Garmin GPS 76 to provide the location data. Both are connected correctly but I just cant get the VHF to accept the location data..... and I know they are old and might not be the best but if I can get them doing what I need them to do then happy days! :encouragement:

The DSC has NMEA0183 input version 2.0 sentences RMC, GGA and GLL

The GPS76 has various interface options including NMEA0183 version 2.3

Can anyone help me with setup settings to get the VHF to receive the GPS data. I am a bit rubbish at this NMEA lark!! Below is the detail from the Garmin manual interface page

Setup Menu — 'Interface' Tab
The Interface Tab contains one fi eld, 'Serial Data Format'. This fi eld contains
eight settings that allow the GPSMAP 76 to communicate with computer software
and other electronic devices.

• GARMIN — Allows the GPSMAP 76 to communicate with GARMIN
software and other GARMIN GPS units.

• GARMIN DGPS — Allows the GPSMAP 76 to communicate with GARMIN
Differential Correction devices. The unit can have the beacon receiver scan
for available DGPS beacon or can tune the beacon receiver to the frequency
and bit rate of a nearby DGPS beacon.

• NMEA — Causes the unit to transmit NMEA data. It also allows the
GPSMAP 76 to accept NMEA data from another NMEA device, like a
echo sounder. The baud (speed of communication in bits per second) is
displayed in the Baud fi eld.

• Text Out — Allows the GPSMAP 76 to output simple text data that
includes, date, time, position, and velocity information. The Baud can be
set to 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 bps.

• RTCM In — Allows the GPSMAP 76 to accept DGPS information from a
device supplying RTCM data in a SC-104 format. The Baud can be set to
1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 bps.

• RTCM In/NMEA Out — Functions the same as the 'GARMIN DGPS' setting
except, the unit will output NMEA 0183, version 2.3 sentences, GPRMC,
GPGGA, GPGSA, GPGSV, GPGLL, GPBOD, GPRTE, and GPWPL.

• RTCM In/Text Out — Functions the same as the 'RTCM In' setting except,
the unit will output simple text data that includes date, time, position,
and velocity information. The Baud can be set to 1200, 2400, 4800, or
9600 bps.

• None — Turns off all serial communication

 

[pvb]

You should set the GPS76 to "NMEA".

 

[Yeoman_24]

Tried that but no good

 

[pvb]

Which wires have you connected?

 

[bitbaltic]

...and is the baud rate set to 4800?

 

[Yeoman_24]

I will double check wires when at the boat next.
What exactly is the baud rate and what difference will that make?

 

[pvb]

Baud rate is the speed at which the data is transmitted. It should be 4800, which is probably the default setting.

 

[ghostlymoron]

These connections are a pain and there's no standard colour code. You need the nmea out from the Garmin to the nmea in on the Silva then just try settings on both till you get a fit.