Raymarine HSB ( only interest to anyone fitting a repeater )

[DAKA]

Raymarine hsb repeaters, bit of a dull read but anyone thinking of fitting a repeater should read.

I had a Raymarine RL70 plus and I wanted to fit a repeater, the manual made it sound so simple but the reality its far from it.

Despite the enthusiastic manual hsb and hsb2 are not immediately compatible.
‘Plus’ usually indicates hsb2 but not always.
Not all hsb2 systems are working on the same software ( there are numerous versions)

Hsb will interface with hsb2 but a hardwear and software update is needed circa £200

Hsb2 software versions can be updated (circa £25-£30), but needs a cmap slot.

Best to find a repeater that was manufactured at a similar time to your own so there is more chance the software will be compatible.

The software version is displayed at start up, in my case year of manufacture was 2005 , the software was 4.11

Any hsb /hsb2 screen can be connected to another screen and both will then work as both screens- if you connect a chart plotter screen to a radar screen you get two radars and two chart plotters.
Hsb will allow two screens connected
Hsb2 allows several

Required

Hsb lead (hsb and hsb2 leads and plugs are the same)
Hsb2 units need an end terminal fitted to the hsb socket, these are fitted from new but you need to check it has not been removed.

I did not connect via seatalk , I used the nmea out put of the master unit and connected this to the main nmea/power cable of the repeater.

Hsb cables can be joined/extended, the wire is shielded and braided, the braid can be rejoined and overlapped.

You should not buy shielded cable that costs 30p per meter and fit mini spade connectors
N22an from maplins at 99p to save the raymarine £200 cable costs, technically the join and spade connectors breach regulations regarding interference. This could be a problem if running the cables close to fridges/generators etc.
I had the correct cables but I needed to test the units which I did successfully with braided cable and mini terminals over 20m.

I used a telescopic fishing rod to help feed cables through, first passing strong cord through ready to use as a pull through.


lower helm

cable pull through, add a second pull through for future use or if you get the cables stuck

back of unit showing from left to right Nmea data out, hsb cable, power/data cable, transducer cable

upper helm (need to be 500 mm away from compass)

Thanks need to go to the following contributors who gave me all the help I needed

Ian Grant, for very generously donating a Radar screen, seatalk and hsb cables.
Jimbouy for educating me on shielded cables and donating the extra cable extensions.
Other contributors
Roger rat
Houghtn
Jfm
Wiggo
Hurricane
mainmarine
gc1

 

[Hurricane]

Well done - you seem to have cracked it.

I upgraded our Rl70/80s just after they had gone obsolete and it was much easier to get everything running under the same version software.

How much help did you get from Raymarine? I found them very helpfull indeed when we did ours.

All you have to do now is add another two - one more at each position. That way, during a long passage, you can leave one running the navigation and use a second set for colision avoidance or generally as one to fiddle with.

BTW have you got MARPA working on the radar?
We found it extremely usefull.
It does, however, need a good electronic heading compass or one of those gyro thingies fitted to the course computer.

Well done anyway.

 

[DAKA]

<span style="color:blue"> How much help did you get from Raymarine? I found them very helpfull indeed when we did ours.

? </span>

I wasnt very impressed, initially I was annoyed at raymarine for selling me something on the basis that I could so easily extend .
I think hsb hsb2 is getting too old for them to be either bothered or remember.
To be fair to them, softwear versions may have been altered since sold by them , thus they can not commit to anything being compatible.

<span style="color:blue">

All you have to do now is add another two - one more at each position. That way, during a long passage, you can leave one running the navigation and use a second set for colision avoidance or generally as one to fiddle with.

</span>

Yes, I agree, I do have a separate and independent method of navigation, the Navman 5600 runs adjacent and can be moved to the lower helm in seconds.

<span style="color:blue">

BTW have you got MARPA working on the radar? </span>

Yes I have MARPA and have to admit that I dont really know how to use all the features as it has been hidden away downstairs.
Now I hope to be able to play with it on long sunny passages so I know how to use it in the fog.( not that I ever really want to try it )
Training on long passages was a prime consideration to me extending the system.
Another reason was to be able to run, side step Spanish plumbes ? ( those big clouds that downpour buckets and hailstones)

 

[Hurricane]

MARPA is dead easy.

I think you have to select a sub menu off the main radar page but then all you do is move the cross hair to a target and press "Aquire Target".
The system then shows a vector off each of the aquired targets and indicates if you are going to bump into them. You get lots of "Dangerous Target" and "Lost Target" alarms but they are just there to keep SWMBO on her toes!!

SWMBO is my radar operator - see.

I know you cant do this on the RL70/80 but on our new G Series, you can overlay AIS targets as well - although I've got a bit of a problem at the moment cos a target appears at a different place on the radar to the AIS - making you wonder which one is the real one!!! - probably just a calibration thing - I hope.