I have an Element Sounder/GPS and would like to connect a VHF via NMEA so that the radio's GPS position is real time for DSC (if I should ever need it - hopefully never).
It won't be a Raymarine VHF. I would assume one of the seatalk cables but not sure which one I would have to use so that it can plug into the NMEA connector on the Element's cable?
Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Cyclo,
Should the VHF radio or SSB feature a NMEA 2000 communications interface, then this communications device and the Element display may each be interfaced as a spur to a
powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone to support communications between these devices. Please click
here to view a FAQ addressing how a simple backbone may be constructed. As the NMEA 2000 socket of the Element display's Power/NMEA 2000 Cable features a DeviceNet (M) socket, it may be adapted to be mated to a spur socket within the backbone via an A06075 39.4in (1.0m) DeviceNet (F) to SeaTalkng Spur Adapter.
Should the VHF radio or SSB lack a SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 communications interface and instead feature a NMEA 0183 communications interface, then please click
here to view a FAQ addressing how GPS data from a MFD having a SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 communications interface may supply GPS data to such a VHF radio or SSB.