Standard Horizon AIS interfacing!

[Caer Urfa]

Sorry another SH question, but best to ask before you buy!

I am looking to replace my existing Navman 7100 dsc vhf and Northstar 550 chart plotter both of which have worked fine for 6 years but neither as far I can see is any good for AIS.

I am looking at a new SH Standard Horizon Matrix GX2100E Fixed DSC VHF with AIS input and a SH CP180i Int Ant Plotter, sorry to ask but:


[*]How easy is it to connect the two unit above together? (do connecting cables come with the kits?

[*]Can I use the boats existing VHF aerial (ontop of the mast).

[*]Any advantages to get the external GPS antenna

[*]Can a Transponder be added to this set up at a later date?

My guess is somebody already has this set up so I thought it easiest to ask.

Mike

 

[nigelmercier]

Do you mean the Standard Horizon Matrix GX2000E, or the GX2100E which has built-in AIS? If not, where are you going to get your AIS signal from?

If you do mean the GX2100E, then this is the same setup that I have, and it's pretty easy to interface them. Standard Horizon even supply a diagram for this. Providing your VHF antenna is OK, no need to replace it.

A transponder can of course be added later, but there is no need to connect it to the rest of the system. I plan to add a second antenna for this on the pushpit, which will double as an emergency antenna.

 

[Caer Urfa]

Do you mean the Standard Horizon Matrix GX2000E, or the GX2100E which has built-in AIS? If not, where are you going to get your AIS signal from?

If you do mean the GX2100E, then this is the same setup that I have, and it's pretty easy to interface them. Standard Horizon even supply a diagram for this. Providing your VHF antenna is OK, no need to replace it.

A transponder can of course be added later, but there is no need to connect it to the rest of the system. I plan to add a second antenna for this on the pushpit, which will double as an emergency antenna.

Hi Nigel

Yes sorry I did mean the GX 2100E unit, do you have the internal or external aerial on your plotter, any advantages?
Mike

 

[Roberto]

[*]Can a Transponder be added to this set up at a later date?

I have a GX2100E, vhf+ais combined.

I asked SH about adding a transponder and they said -if that is what you are looking after- that an AIS transmitter with the same MMSI number will not trigger the GX2100 alarms

 

[nigelmercier]

do you have the internal or external aerial on your plotter, any advantages?

I've got the external GPS antenna because the plotter is in the cockpit.

 

[bert49uk]

had SH plotters on all my boats prefer the internal ariel never had a problem with signal above or below decks

 

[V1701]

Yes my CP180i works fine below decks with hatches closed...

 

[Houleaux]

I have the same radio and CP180 with the external aerial. My radio is mounted by the chart table and the plotter is flush mounted into the panel above the companionway.

In answer to your specific questions:

"How easy is it to connect the two unit above together? (do connecting cables come with the kits?"

The cable provided with the radio is very short, so unless you are going to mount the units right next to each other you will need to extend it. I couldn't buy any NMEA cable locally so used what I think was telephone cable that I had hanging about. This looks similar in terms of wire size but isn't screened. I soldered all the connections and have had no problems using about 2m of this cable.

"Can I use the boats existing VHF aerial (ontop of the mast)."

As others have said, the answer to this is yes.

"Any advantages to get the external GPS antenna"

The unit with the external antenna comes with a template for flush mounting. The CP180i can't be flush mounted. I specifically wanted this so paid the extra. I've seen many reports that suggest the internal antenna works fine both below and above decks so, based on those, if you're not interested in flush mounting you may as well get the 180i which is cheaper and simpler to install.

"Can a Transponder be added to this set up at a later date?"

No idea!

As a footnote, I'm very pleased with this set up. It proved very reassuring when I watched a nearby container ship "disappear" in torrential rain when sailing across the channel recently! My radar is below decks and requires monitoring to identify targets' speed and course etc. - not always easy to do when sailing shorthanded. Being able to monitor shipping all around me from the helm with information about their course, speed and closest point of approach (use with caution!) readily available is great!

 

[Caer Urfa]

In answer to your specific questions:

"How easy is it to connect the two unit above together? (do connecting cables come with the kits?"

The cable provided with the radio is very short, so unless you are going to mount the units right next to each other you will need to extend it. I couldn't buy any NMEA cable locally so used what I think was telephone cable that I had hanging about. This looks similar in terms of wire size but isn't screened. I soldered all the connections and have had no problems using about 2m of this cable.

I had a reply from SH today and they suggest getting these to connect!, seems simular to your idea

Hi Michael
Please see attached files.
One shows the actual connections for the GX2100E & CP-180-180I.
The other is a source of interconnection cable.
You can use the existing radio aerial for the GX2100E.
The advantage of having an external GPS antenna is then mount the plotter anywhere inside the boat.
The internal aerial type plotter cannot be mounted were metal can prevent the GPS signal reaching the unit.
You would not use an internal VHF aerial on the radio.

Best regards

Sam

Sam Ruddy
Service Manager
Yaesu UK Ltd/Standard Horizon
MAPLIN PLOTTER CABLE SOURCE
Please see links below.
Data cable
http://www.maplin.co.uk/burglar-alarm-signal-cable-to-bs6360-bs6746-65
Maplin part number XS54J
For DC cable
http://www.maplin.co.uk/twin-power-cable-20666
Maplin part number XS69A

 

[Baggywrinkle]

[*]How easy is it to connect the two unit above together? (do connecting cables come with the kits?

No connecting cables are supplied, the cables terminate in bare wires. Wiring diagram can be found here ...

http://www.standardhorizon.com/down...atrix AIS.pdf&FileContentType=application/pdf

NMEA0183 is a low frequency signal with a high signal level and as such is pretty robust. If you have a long cable run then choose thicker cable (less resistance). Shielding is not necessary generally but to be safe don't run it past your alternator, battery charger or any electric motors. Any good solid joint - solder, crimping or screw terminals will work. Best is an automotive spec waterproof 4 pin connector. Over a few years any bare wire ends will corrode and become brittle so leave enough to be able to chop out a few centimetres to reconnect. It is best to make the connection waterproof.

[*]Can I use the boats existing VHF aerial (ontop of the mast).

Yes

[*]Any advantages to get the external GPS antenna

If you intend to flush mount then the internal antenna sticks out the back at the top - check it will fit first and that there is nothing metallic that will cover the antenna in your intended mounting place. The internal antenna also uses up one of the NMEA ports so you will need an external multiplexer should you later want to fit a fishfinder.

As far as reception goes, if the internal antenna has a good view of the sky (even through glassfiber) then it will be fine.

[*]Can a Transponder be added to this set up at a later date?

Don't know ... sorry.

My guess is somebody already has this set up so I thought it easiest to ask.

Mike

Not exactly the same setup, I have the CP300 Ext/GX2100E and am very happy with it. It is a combined user manual for the CP300/CP180 as the devices are very similar.

Hope this helps.

 

[nigelmercier]

It is a combined user manual for the CP300/CP180 as the devices are very similar...

With one fairly major difference: the CP180 has fewer inputs. Because I also want to be able to transfer data from my PC, or view SeaTalk data, I have installed a 3-way switch on the input.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

With one fairly major difference: the CP180 has fewer inputs. Because I also want to be able to transfer data from my PC, or view SeaTalk data, I have installed a 3-way switch on the input.

Good point, the CP180 does not have ACC2 so is missing 2 i/o ports compared to the CP300. I meant the operation, wire colours and functions of the two units are very similar.