MARPA and SHS

[danderer]

Thanks very much for the detailed reply. Very helpful, but unfortunately I also remain a bit confused on your answer A2:

I read you response as saying: All you need to do is to connect the SHS to the S2 is to connect 2 wires from the RATE OUTPUT to the RATE GYRO input. (Plus power, of course.) This will allow the AP to do AST and the E80 generate better MARPA solutions.

However, looking at Appendix A of the SHS Owner's Handbook (81198-2, Feb 2005) in Appendix A, Figure A-3 shows a setup very similar to mine (course computer and MFD). That drawing shows not only the 2-wire connection but also:

* The SHS is connected to SeaTalk, and
* NMEA data is sent from the course computer to the MFD.

The text in that appendix is unclear on the reason for the SeaTalk connection shown (just for power?). It does talk about S1, S2, and S3 course computers and the NMEA connection, and says specifically under "Connecting to autopilot and Raymarine displays(s)":

"Connect the course computer NMEA 1 outputs to the NMEA inputs on the display".

I don't have either the SeaTalk or NMEA connections in-place.

So because the manual is unclear, but seems to contradict the info here, I'll ask again to double-check:

What is the set of connections I need to the SHS to maximize its functionality?