Two MFD's and two VHF's

[jrhodes777]

I have two E127's and two VHF radios. One E127 and one VHF is at the upper helm and the other E127 and VHF is at the lower helm. I would like to enable the DSC function on both radios. Each radio has NMEA0183 inputs. I also have an AIS connected on the NMEA2000 bus to both E127's and an auto pilot connected to the upper helm E127 via NMEA0183. How do you recommend enabling the DSC function on both VHF radios?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum jrhodes777,

If simply seeking to supply the VHF radios with GPS data to support transmission of your vessel's coordinates with DSC VHF transmissions, then I would typically recommend including an E70196 VHF NMEA 0183 to STng Converter Kit within the SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 backbone. The NMEA 0183 output of the kit would then be connected to the NMEA 0183 input leads of each VHF radio (maximum of three radios).

[jrhodes777]

OK. So I can utilize the single NMEA0183 output lead (two wire) from this converter kit as a common GPS source and connect it to both VHF's using a terminal block? The VHF's NMEA0183 input do not need to be isolated from each other? John Rhodes

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

John,

Q1. So I can utilize the single NMEA0183 output lead (two wire) from this converter kit as a common GPS source and connect it to both VHF's using a terminal block?
A1. Yes.

Q2. The VHF's NMEA0183 input do not need to be isolated from each other?
A1. No.

[jrhodes777]

Thank you.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

You're welcome.

[jrhodes777]

One more question regarding the DSC. I will install your recommended interface between the NMEA2000 network and VHF NMEA0183 to get GPS data to both VHF's. How do I get DSC data generated by the VHF NMEA0183 to the E127? Do I simply connect the VHF NMEA0183 directly to the E127 NMEA0183 input?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

John,

Should you desire to have the MFDs plot DSC position reports, then it would indeed be necessary to interface the NMEA 0183 output leads of one of the VHF radios to the NMEA 0183 input leads of one of the a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs. The NMEA 0183 port of the MFD which has been interfaced to the NMEA 0183 output port of the VHF radio will need to be configured for 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 communications (NMEA 4800).