Connecting VHF radio to GPS via NMEA?

[PaulyB]

I am helping @Amar Nanduri install a Standard Horizon GX2200 VHF radio with its own internal GPS and a Garmin EchoMap74dv. Apparently you can connect the two devices via the NMEA connections. Could anyone tell me the benefits of doing this? He is planning on taking the boat to Bimini this year with the group and I am trying to help make sure his boat is ready for the trip. If anyone has any insight on this it would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Bruce]

I would not connect it to NMEA.

There are two options where you could benefit from connecting to NMEA.

1. If you have a a plotter that would display AIS info (ship positions) from the VHF.
2. If another GPS source was significantly more accurate than the internal GPS.

 

[PaulyB]

OK and the fact that these boats are small and so maneuverable there really is no benefit to the AIS info? I also read something about DSC, but I am new to all this, being that I only boat on small lakes and the Potomac River. I have no idea what DSC is. I know how to run a power and a ground and the antenna wire to the VHF, but outside of that I don't know the capabilities...

 

[Bruce]

DSC is for automated distress calls. You press the red button and it automatically transmits a SOS call including your coordinates. It is a great system that many of us have. An extension of DSC allows reporting your postion to friends in non emergent situations.

AIS is used by ships. I believe it transmits GPS position, heading and speed. It is used by the big boys to plan courses that avoid collision. He will very lilkely be the only boat in our group with AIS capability.

If he purchased a suitably expensive chart plotter the AIS data could be sent to it to display all the AIS enabled vessels within range.

You are doing great to simply connect power and be antenna. The only additional item that he should do is to register for a MMSI number for the DSC functionality and enter it into the radio.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Some excellent work done by @PaulyB
I can't find the words to thank him enough. Hopefully I will be familiar with the systems and ready by July.

Cheers
Amar