[Bruin]

I have been a happy user of GPSNavX for the last year using a 12" G4 ibook with the USB GPS receiver. I recently replaced my old vhf radio with the new Standard Horizon GX2100 and am trying to figure out how to connect my GPS output to the radio and the AIS input to my computer. I have a Keyspan USB/Serial port (do I need two?) but am not very tech savy as how to connect the serial port end to the wires to/from the radio. Has anyone else tried this?

Thanks,

- Gary -

[GPSNavX]

Tell us the brand/model AIS receiver. Yes you would need two Keyspan adapters if you want to take AIS NMEA data input and repeat the GPS NMEA data to your VHF.

You could use this data cable for your VHF. Connection would be identical to an autopilot.

http://www.gpsnavx.com/html/datacable.html

[Bruin]

The Standard Horizon GX2100 has a built in AIS receiver in the radio and can display ships on its screen when attached to a GPS. It also has AIS output leads.

[GPSNavX]

Yes you would need two Keyspan adapters/data cables. One to receive the AIS data from your VHF (rate 38400) and another to repeat the GPS data to your VHF (rate 4800).

Do you have another GPS aboard that outputs NMEA data (i.e. Garmin, Raymarine, Furuno, etc?). If so I have a better solution that would only take one USB port and accept all the NMEA input and output.

[Bruin]

The only other GPS I have is a Garmin 76CSx handheld. Another option I have is to purchase a Standard Horizon GPS Smart antenna and connect that to the radio, but my first thought was to use my Mac.

- Gary -

[GPSNavX]

Yes if you did that then you could use your VHF Radio as the AIS and GPS NMEA data for GPSNavX though one Keyspan/data cable connection.

[Bruin]

I ordered a Standard Horizon GPS Smart antenna today to hook up to my radio. Can I use one Keyspan/data cable connection from the radio to transfer both AIS and GPS data to my mac or am I limited to only one or the other?

[GPSNavX]

The VHF should combine the NMEA data and output it on one connection eliminating the need for the USB GPS. So you should be able to use one Keyspan. Unfortunately I have had no luck getting on the SH website to confirm this. At the very least you would get the AIS data from the VHF and continue to use the USB GPS.

Here is the connection flow:

SH VHF->AIS/GPS NMEA Data->Data Cable->Keyspan->Mac->KeySerial1->GPSNavX

[millert34c]

I was looking in to this unit also and this reply from sh support might help
Thank you for contacting Standard Horizon Marine Electronics. We
appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance to you.

Very similarly the GX2100S NMEA 0183 wires would need to be soldered to
a DB9 serial connector.  Serial connector could be connected directly
into the laptop if available or you might use a USB to serial adapter.
The following wires from the GX2100S would need to be connected to the
serial port as listed below:

GX2100S brown (AIS output) to DB9 pin 2
GX2100S green (data common) to DB9 pin 5

Your Mac/software would need to be able to read NMEA 0183 sentence VDM
at 38400 baud.  To learn if the software is capable of this please
reference your software manual or manufacturer.

[GPSNavX]

The reply sounds correct. You could use a Keyspan USB to serial adapter. If you do not want to solder we have a crimp on DB-9 cable that connects to the Keyspan USB to serial adapter ..

http://www.gpsnavx.com/html/datacable.html