Does this exist - VHF DSC with AIS, internal GPS, remote Mike

[ianj99]

How have you wired this and can you provide a specific link to the correct one? I found one with a PS/2 fitting and 6V but no 12V option. I'm happy to cut the end off but don't want to fry it

This is the GPS unit I used.

As you will see, its not cheap but works reliably and runs off 12v. Needs no setting up.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/gps/7032950/

So you just need run the cable to back of the vhf, connect the supply wires to the vhf supply and the nmea out to the vhf's nmea in.
Job done!

There's no need to mount it on the pushpit - mine is just off centre attached directly to the wheelhouse roof with mastic and is below the main boom and this never causes a problem with reception.
(modern gps receivers are a lot more sensitive)

So the Navicom Rt650, with wireless remote and the above module is not much more than the cost of the Standard Horizon with wired remote but no gps. Or probably about the cost of an AIS vhf with built in gps, when one becomes available.

 

[pvb]

The Navicom RT650 with wireless remote is about £100 cheaper than the GX2100 with Ram3 (non wireless) remote and also outputs VDM sentences at 4800 or 38000baud.

Gosh, you need to shop around more! You said you got the RT650 from Seamark Nunn, who sell it at £368 with a wireless remote. The Standard Horizon GX2100E with RAM remote is £380 from various retailers including JG Tech and MarineSuperStore. That's a difference of £12, not £100.

You can of course get the RT650 cheaper, it's £340 with wireless remote at MES/Cactus. Or, if you want to save more money, buy the Radio Ocean RO4800 with wireless remote for only £305 - it's essentially identical to the Navicom, and comes out of the same factory in China.

I'd buy the Standard Horizon though...


Edit: Just seen that MarineSuperStore do free shipping, whereas Seamark Nunn charge £7, so that brings the difference down to a fiver, not £100.

 

[dgadee]

You need to make up a connector or cut off the one that comes on the BR-355, but it's fairly simple...ground, +5v in and data out. I made it up into a matchbox sized plastic box. Maybe I should start selling them

You should. It was an an awful lot of bother to me to get my connections working (I have the same set up). Ended up box being a bit larger than a matchbox.

 

[ianj99]

Gosh, you need to shop around more! You said you got the RT650 from Seamark Nunn, who sell it at £368 with a wireless remote. The Standard Horizon GX2100E with RAM remote is £380 from various retailers including JG Tech and MarineSuperStore. That's a difference of £12, not £100.

You can of course get the RT650 cheaper, it's £340 with wireless remote at MES/Cactus. Or, if you want to save more money, buy the Radio Ocean RO4800 with wireless remote for only £305 - it's essentially identical to the Navicom, and comes out of the same factory in China.

I'd buy the Standard Horizon though...


Edit: Just seen that MarineSuperStore do free shipping, whereas Seamark Nunn charge £7, so that brings the difference down to a fiver, not £100.

Seamark Nunn didn't charge me shipping but its personal choice and the OP can have what he's after, albeit not in one unit, for £4-500.

Regardless of where the Navicom originated, I cannot fault the build quality, functionality or ease of use. The instructions do suffer in translation though!

I prefered the Navicom's wireless remote handset and won't miss the loudhailer feature of the GX2100, which you'll probably like!
Ian

 

[pvb]

and won't miss the loudhailer feature of the GX2100, which you'll probably like!

Yes, because it has pre-programmed fog signals. Yet another reason to buy the Standard Horizon.

 

[ithet]

MTech 550

I see that there is a new kid on this block:

http://www.yachtparts.co.uk/shop/electronics/vhf/m-tech-mt550-dsc-vhf-with-ais-receiver

Anyone got any experiences?

 

[pyrojames]

Icom does.

http://www.icomuk.co.uk/News_Article/3794/7384/

Actually, I don't think the GPS aerial is internal.... Ooops!

 

[Boreades]

Prices are coming down.
Radio Ocean RO4800 + P4800 Wireless second station , c.£270
http://www.force4.co.uk/c/74/Fixed-VHF-Radios.html?fBrandname=Radio+Ocean

 

[BERT T]

12v dc to 5v dc converter

You should. It was an an awful lot of bother to me to get my connections working (I have the same set up). Ended up box being a bit larger than a matchbox.

Use one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-DC-15W...5V-3A-Power-Supply-Module-Waterproof-/2906175
No matchbox needed.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Silva made the S15 radio/GPS, but that died a none to premature death a few years back...

 

[pvb]

Silva made the S15 radio/GPS, but that died a none to premature death a few years back...

The Silva S15 didn't have an internal GPS. It relied on an external feed.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

The AIS standard requires the GPS to not be part of the same equipment.

Or in other words, a VHF with built in AIS and GPS would be non compliant, and therefore illegal.

 

[Hoolie]

The Silva S15 didn't have an internal GPS. It relied on an external feed.

... ... but it did have Navtex. We have an S15 but the Navtex has packed up

 

[pvb]

The AIS standard requires the GPS to not be part of the same equipment.

Or in other words, a VHF with built in AIS and GPS would be non compliant, and therefore illegal.

I think that only applies to AIS transponders, not to VHF radios.

 

[pvb]

... ... but it did have Navtex. We have an S15 but the Navtex has packed up

No, the S15 didn't have Navtex, it only had the capability to display Navtex info when interfaced with a suitable Navtex receiver.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I think that only applies to AIS transponders, not to VHF radios.

You could be right, but I suspect its related somehow as otherwise i`m sure it would have been done by now!

 

[pvb]

You could be right, but I suspect its related somehow as otherwise i`m sure it would have been done by now!

I think the reason it hasn't been done with fixed sets is that everyone has a GPS feed already. But there are handheld VHFs with integral GPS receivers.

 

[Hoolie]

No, the S15 didn't have Navtex, it only had the capability to display Navtex info when interfaced with a suitable Navtex receiver.

But it was supplied with a Silva Navtex antenna unit. In our case now defunct

I don't think it was compatible with anything else, "suitable" or otherwise.

 

[pvb]

But it was supplied with a Silva Navtex antenna unit. In our case now defunct

I don't think it was compatible with anything else, "suitable" or otherwise.

The Silva Navtex antenna was an option. The VHF itself had no Navtex capability. It would accept Navtex data from suitable receivers including, obviously, Silva's own S15-N antenna. Check the S15 manual if you like.

 

[Boo2]

The AIS standard requires the GPS to not be part of the same equipment.

Or in other words, a VHF with built in AIS and GPS would be non compliant, and therefore illegal.

I think that only applies to AIS transponders, not to VHF radios.

Well the SeaTraceR AIS B Transponder from SevenStar has a built-in GPS see here : http://www.sevenstarelectronics.com/images/AIS B Flyer V 2.0.pdf.

From page 2 of that doc :

• Contains an integral 16 channel DGPS receiver to IEC 61108-1, and accepts RTCM corrections
• Certified to IEC 62287-1, AIS Class B (CS) by BABT (EU), BSH, USCG (and FCC pending)

Boo2