VHF radio DSC hookup - The Hull Truth

RennieRae · 08-05-2003, 05:25 AM

Hello again everyone, I have another question for you...

After many great responses to my "which VHF?" question, I have decided to go with the ICOM 402S because the safety features of a DSC capable radio is well worth a few extra bucks to me (Actually Birdman pointed that out to me, and I think he is correct!).

Anyway... I have an old handheld GPS (Garmin 38) which works great for me, but I am not sure if it will have the DSC capability that the VHF will need. Does anyone know? If so, how does it connect to the VHF?

Thanks in advance for all of your responses.

o
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<')))>< Bob

abacodan · 08-05-2003, 06:16 AM

The DSC capability is within the radio, not the GPS. All you need is an nmea data feed from the Garmin. Go on Garmin's website and email them you question. Best, user friendly tech department there is. They'll walk you through the whole process, if you have the connection on your GPS unit.

Think Tweiss · 08-05-2003, 07:30 AM

Connect the brown wire from your Garmin 38 (NMEA output) to the center pin of an RCA plug and then connect the black wire from the Garmin 38 which is already connected to power ground to the outside of the RCA plug. Then connect the plug to the ICOM.

No guarantees that the Garmin puts out the correct NMEA sentences though...

Birdman · 08-05-2003, 12:58 PM

Connect the brown wire from your Garmin 38 (NMEA output) to the center pin of an RCA plug and then connect the black wire from the Garmin 38 which is already connected to power ground to the outside of the RCA plug. Then connect the plug to the ICOM.

Birdman, Capt of

Scout Abaco 280 Click here!

Think Tweiss · 08-05-2003, 04:06 PM

What Birdman said

RennieRae · 08-06-2003, 04:43 AM

OK now, I don't mean to sound stupid but...

The only wire coming from my handheld is the 12 volt cigarette lighter adapter. It connects to a port (the only one on the unit) with four prongs in it. Are you wanting me to modify the 12 volt power cord? Or do I have to use the GPS from battery power only and then make a cord with RCA plug?

o
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<')))>< Bob

AGULHAS · 08-06-2003, 01:45 PM

my dealer did it for about 30 dollars while i was getting some work done. will be great once the coast guard is online.

Think Tweiss · 08-06-2003, 02:02 PM

rennierae....I don't know the specific cable you have in your hand...but there are four contacts on the plug at the garmin end. Two are for power and two are for signal....If the cable you have only has two wires, then it won't work and you have to buy a new cable from garmin. I would call garmin...tell them the cable you have and see if it has four wires. If so, you can cut it and solder the right wires together. If you're not comfortable with that, I am sure they have a combination power/signal cable available that your can buy.

Birdman · 08-06-2003, 04:13 PM

rennierae....I don't know the specific cable you have in your hand...but there are four contacts on the plug at the garmin end. Two are for power and two are for signal....If the cable you have only has two wires, then it won't work and you have to buy a new cable from garmin. I would call garmin...tell them the cable you have and see if it has four wires. If so, you can cut it and solder the right wires together. If you're not comfortable with that, I am sure they have a combination power/signal cable available that your can buy.

Yeah, just go to a Garmin dealer (or call Garmin direct) and order the "data cable".

Birdman, Capt of

Scout Abaco 280 Click here!

RennieRae · 08-06-2003, 05:28 PM

Sent them an e-mail this morning. Thanks again guys!

o
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<')))>< Bob