installing and setting up a dsc radio

[smeaks]

When you purchase a dcs radio what is needed to register in the machine to set it up? how is it done? is it necessary? - I suspect Santa may be a dcs radio set lighter by christmas night.

best regards and a merry christmas to all formites


smeaks

 

[AIDY]

The set can be used like an old VHF.

Although if you have applied for an MMSI number from ofcom, you can enter this number into the set, and the addition of a GPS signal via a NMEA cable will make all the DSC functions work.

 

[johnwest]

The set should come with a comprehensive instruction manual.
Some sets will give you only one attempt to enter your mmsi number so follow the instructions carefully. Although its a simple task to install one.

j

 

[smeaks]

NMEA cables... do these come with the kit or are they universal with the plugs etc?

 

[ex-Gladys]

My NASA came with all the cables... Including the one to do the NMEA connection

 

[AIDY]

NMEA cable should come with the gift from santa. Although you will need some connection block to join to the gps NMEA cable, It's only a couple of wires. You will need to refer to both VHF and GPS manuals, to get the correct squence of wires.

What VHF has santa's helpers been making at his Grotto this year.

 

[Burnham_Bob]

all the bits and pieces should come with the radio. they are all sliughtly different but in essence you connect the radio to the NMEA output of your GPS. You might have to delve into various menus of your GPs that normally aren't touched such as the baud rate and the nmea output to make sure the PGS will supply the right information to the radio. its all quite simple if you read the instructions.

 

[FAITIRA]

If you need the gps to vhf cable, try googling "gpsbitz", very cheap and helpful.

 

[Cloven]

You don't need special cable for the GPS to VHF feed. My Standard Horizon VHF/DSC just came with short bare wires for this connection. I used ordinary two core wire to connect to the bare ends of the wires that came from the Navman GPS/Chart plotter power feed/input/output cable. They are connected using an ordinary "chock-block" connector inside a small Maplin box. All works a treat.

I did however set it all up at home first to make sure it works and which wires to connect as there is no consistency if the GPS & VHF are different makes.

 

[smeaks]

as identified by davewurburton below it is i believe a standard horizon to play with my navman 5505i... hiow convenient to learn they play nicley together!

Knowing my wife however she has probably totally ignored my hints and bought me a bleeding lawn mower!

 

[AIDY]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Arrr... you be safe until April when she want the lawn cut !