NMEA connections for AIS - advice please

[MILLPOND]

I have a Standard horizon GX2200e VHF with AIS. It is NMEA 0183. I want to configure it so that I can display the AIS data on my NMEA 2000 networked plotter.

I have bought an Actisense NGW-1 NMEA conversion gateway which is preconfigured for AIS.

I am a bit confused as to which wires to connect. I think I need to use the following configuration:

Radio (AIS out) Yellow AIS data out + connected to
Actisense Red in +

And

Radio White AIS data out -
Connected to
Actisense NGW-1 Black In -

Is this all I need to connect? Can I ignore the other wires?

I am also a bit confused about baud rate. Seems it can be either 4800 or 38400. Which should I use?

Sorry for what is probably a basic question for this that know about this stuff...

Thanks!

 

[lpdsn]

Definitely 38400. 4.8Kb just can't handle the volume of messages.

Sounds like the wiring colours on your Gx2200 differ from my Gx2100. On mine, the brown wire is the NMEA+ (HS) output. I connected that to the Actisense red. The NMEA common was green and I connected that to the Actisense black.

I'll see if I can find a GX2200 manual on line and check the colours.

Update: Yes, the Gx2200 wiring is changed from the Gx2100. Yellow is NMEA(HS)+ and white is NMEA(HS)-.

So SH yellow to Actisense red and SH white to Actisense black

 

[prv]

I haven’t checked the manuals for the devices but if the wires are as you say then yes, that should be the correct combination. The faster speed (38400) will be preferable for AIS.

Pete

 

[RobF]

I have a Standard horizon GX2200e VHF with AIS. It is NMEA 0183. I want to configure it so that I can display the AIS data on my NMEA 2000 networked plotter.

I have bought an Actisense NGW-1 NMEA conversion gateway which is preconfigured for AIS.

I am a bit confused as to which wires to connect. I think I need to use the following configuration:

Radio (AIS out) Yellow AIS data out + connected to
Actisense Red in +

And

Radio White AIS data out -
Connected to
Actisense NGW-1 Black In -

Is this all I need to connect? Can I ignore the other wires?

I am also a bit confused about baud rate. Seems it can be either 4800 or 38400. Which should I use?

Sorry for what is probably a basic question for this that know about this stuff...

Thanks!

It is a bit confusing.
Yellow and White wires on the GX2200 only transmit the VDM sentence and only transmit at 38400 baud. You've got them the right way round (+ & -)

If you want the DSC and other GPS outputs (as well as AIS VDM) going to your plotter you need to use the Gray and Brown wires on the GX2200. These can transmit on either 4800 or 38400 baud.

I'm not familiar with the Actisense NGW-1 so will let better informed people advise on this

 

[knuterikt]

It is a bit confusing.
Yellow and White wires on the GX2200 only transmit the VDM sentence and only transmit at 38400 baud. You've got them the right way round (+ & -)

If you want the DSC and other GPS outputs (as well as AIS VDM) going to your plotter you need to use the Gray and Brown wires on the GX2200. These can transmit on either 4800 or 38400 baud.

I'm not familiar with the Actisense NGW-1 so will let better informed people advise on this

Getting DSC to the plotter is good. Have the same VHF connected to Raymarine es127 works great.

 

[MILLPOND]

Thanks all for the advice. What’s the advantage of getting DSC to the plotter? It’s a B&G Vulcan 7.

 

[RichardS]

If you receive a DSC distress call, the location of the boat in distress will appear on your plotter, assuming everything is compatible.

Mine is connected like this .... but I've no idea of it actually works. :ambivalence:

Richard

 

[prv]

If you receive a DSC distress call, the location of the boat in distress will appear on your plotter, assuming everything is compatible.

You can also do a "position request" to another boat and see their location on the chart. I've never heard from anyone who actually does this, though

Pete

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Thanks all for the advice. What’s the advantage of getting DSC to the plotter? It’s a B&G Vulcan 7.

Used a B&G Zeus (very similar to Vulcan but with added features), on a passage late last year. From what I could gather, a selected AIS target could be called up on DSC VHF by selecting that option on the plotter. Cuts out the need to copy down the MMSI, then go below and dial it in to the radio.I didn't need to use it , so can't say definitively that this is true, but would explain the rationale for connecting them.

 

[prv]

Used a B&G Zeus (very similar to Vulcan but with added features), on a passage late last year. From what I could gather, a selected AIS target could be called up on DSC VHF by selecting that option on the plotter. Cuts out the need to copy down the MMSI, then go below and dial it in to the radio.I didn't need to use it , so can't say definitively that this is true, but would explain the rationale for connecting them.

True, though that needs a connection from plotter to radio, and not the vice-versa that was mentioned.

I'm also not certain that Standard Horizon support the relevant NMEA sentence, though they might do in their newer radios.

Pete

 

[lpdsn]

You can also do a "position request" to another boat and see their location on the chart. I've never heard from anyone who actually does this, though

Pete

I arranged with another boat owner who kept his boat about 12 miles away to do a mutual test. Quite impressive that I could see exactly where he was berthed on OpenCPN.

Also saw a Mayday plotted on the OpenCPN chart. It was a coaster 60 miles away (over land) so not much I could do to help, but was pleased that the SH radio could pick up a DSC distress call at that distance.

 

[PaulRainbow]

True, though that needs a connection from plotter to radio, and not the vice-versa that was mentioned.

I'm also not certain that Standard Horizon support the relevant NMEA sentence, though they might do in their newer radios.

Pete

The B&G plotter will send it, but the SH VHF won't be listening. Pity really.