GPS to VHF

[ed72vette]

I have a Magellan Meridian Platinum hand held GPS unit that I would like to hook up to my Uniden Oceanus Dsc VHF radio. Has anyone had any experience as to: If it can be done? What conectors or cords are necessary? <br />Ed

 

[18rabbit]

Re: GPS to VHF

Ed - No, I have never done it with those two items, but yes, it can be done. All DCS enabled VHF radios accept the NMEA 0183 data protocol, that is a required design criterion for DCS. And darn near every GPS will output the NMEA 0183 sentence string...and since you have a ‘platinum’ GPS, I’m sure it does, too. Just need to make or buy a simple jumper. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much consistency in wire colors between manfs of marine electronics.<br /><br />Edit: See page 64 or your Magellan Manual. Also see pg 77 (Q&A).<br /><br />Also see page 54 of your Uniden manual for NMEA setup. Pg 10 has a diag and color codes for connecting the VHF to a GPS/NMEA source.<br /><br />You need to get the optional Power/Data cable with bare wires (Magellan part# 730344…I think). This allows your GPS to communicate with any other NMEA 0183 device…and allows the GPS unit to run off your boat’s 12vdc system. The Magellan website has the cable on sale for $31.49, reg price $34.99. You might want to check around on the net to see if it is less expensive elsewhere.<br /><br />You will need to get the optional accessory cable with bare wire (Uniden part# ??? – picture on pg 3 or your manual). This allows your VHF to communicate with your GPS…and a bunch of other stuff via the add’l wires.<br /><br />The [data out] from the Magellan cable will connect to the [GPS data in] on your VHF (pin 4/grn wire). Magellan does not have the pinout/color codes online, but they say detailed instructions for connecting to a VHF come with that cable.<br /><br />Uniden often uses std connectors for their stuff so if the optional accessory cable is pricy and you are ambitious, you might be able to hunt down the round, 8-pin female connector needed to interface with the VHF and connect a couple AWG 18 wires only to the pins you need to enable NMEA for the DCS.<br /><br />Btw, to connect the bare wires it is common practice to either build an interconnect box, or an easier option is to simply twist the wires together and solder them…of course, cover the joint with adhesive lined shrink tubing after soldering.<br /><br />That's what is involved, overall really easy to do.

 

[ed72vette]

Re: GPS to VHF

Thank you very much for you detailed and well researched response. I got about 75% of the way to the right answer, but was starting to second guess my approach. I could not determine if the bare wires on the Magellan cord was for the gps out data or for the 12v dc hook up. Thanks for the claification. I tried to talk to Magellan Customer Sevice today. I waited 40 min. on line and then I was diconected by the CS rep. I am sure I can find away to connect the wires. Magellan is saying the data out wire is orange and Uniden is saying their GPS data in is green. I really appreciate you help.<br />Best regards<br />Ed

 

[jheron]

Re: GPS to VHF

I just hooked up my Uniden Oceanus Dsc VHF radio to my humminbird gps. You need to hook the NEMA out from your gps to the green wire on your radio ... thats it! Just cap the rest of the wires off to prevent them from shorting. <br />Jon

 

[ed72vette]

Re: GPS to VHF

Just to let you know that the directions were very complete and after purchasing the loose wire connector for Magellan I was able to make the proper connection to the VHS. Thanks for your help.<br />Ed