Adding radar features to an Axiom or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Adding radar features to an Axiom/Axiom Pro/Axiom XL MFD or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD

Radar scanners featuring analog video interfaces which are compatible with C/E-Series Classic MFDs (ex. RD218, RD424 and –S versions of the 2D, 4D, 5S, 7S, 9S, and 11S radomes and open array pedestals) and hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Displays (ex. RD218, RD424, 2D, 4D, 5S, 7S, 9S, and 11S radomes and open array pedestals), as well as radome and open array pedestals introduced prior to these are not compatible with the Axiom or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs. Analog radar scanners are most easily identified by their white radar cables. However, these radar scanners are highly regarded in the recreational marine electronics industry and have value for those seeking to replace or add radar to a system featuring a hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Radar Display, C-Series Classic MFD, or E-Series Classic MFD. As such, it is generally recommended the currently installed radar be sold privately (ex. ebay, Craigs List, etc.) where you may well find that it may be sold for a fair portion of their original retail price due to the fact that these radar scanners are no longer manufactured.

In order to use an Axiom or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD's radar features, the MFD must be interfaced to a Quantum/Quantum 2/Digital/HD Digital Radome, HD/SuperHD Open Array Radar Scanner, or Magnum Open Array Radar Scanner. The bolt patterns of the Digital or HD Digital Radomes are identical to those of the analog radomes which had been designed for use with the C/E-Series Classic MFDs and hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Radar Displays Likewise, bolt patterns of the HD/Super HD Open Array Radar Scanners are identical to those of the analog open array radar scanners which had been designed for use with the E-Series Classic MFDs.

If using a Quantum Radome and the MFD has been constructed with Wi-Fi communications circuitry, then the Quantum Radome may communicate with the MFD via Wi-Fi, reducing the cabling to be installed. If opting to use Wi-Fi communications between a Quantum Radome and the MFD, then it is only necessary to connect a power cable to the Quantum Radome. Alternatively, Quantum Radomes may be interfaced to an Axiom or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD or HS 5 RayNet Network Switch via Digital Radar Cable in much the same manner that a Digtal/HD Radome would be interfaced to these MFDs. Should one desire a wired power/communications interface to a Quantum Radome, then an A80308 Y-Adapter Cable would be connected to the Quantum Radome's power and communications sockets. The trunk of this Y-Cable would then be connected to a Digital Radar Extension Cable or Digital Radar Cable per the information found within the paragraphs below.

Radar cables designed for use with the RD218, RD424, 2D, 4D, 5S, 7S, 9S, and 11S radomes and open array pedestal, as well as radar cables designed for use with radome and open array pedestals introduced prior to these are not compatible with Quantum/Digital/HD Digital Radomes and HD/SuperHD Open Array Pedestals. The Digital/HD Digital Radome or HD/SuperHD Open Array Pedestal will be interfaced to the system via Digital Radar Cable. Digital Radar Cable should not be cut. In sailing vessels, it is considered a best installation practice that a Digital Radar Extension Cable should be chased from the radar scanner’s power / communications interface port to the base of the mast, pole mount or backstay. This will permit the Digital Radar Extension Cable to be quickly and cleanly disconnected from the vessel's wiring should the mast, pole mount, backstay mount, etc. be removed. The Digital Radar Extension Cable will be connected to an appropriate length of Digital Radar Cable w/RayNet (F) plug. A Digital Radar Extension Cable would not typically be used on a power boat unless mounted on an arch or tower would was intended to be removed. In most power boat installations, the Digital Radar Cable will be plugged directly into the Digital Radome's power / communications interface port.

Should the current system feature a SeaTalkhs Network Switch or SR6 Sirius Satellite Weather/Radio Receiver / Network Switch featuring an unused port, then the Digital Radar Cable will be interfaced to a switched 12 or 24 VDC power circuit and may be adapted to mate to the network switch’s RJ45 socket via an A80513 RayNet Male to RJ45 Adaptor Cable. Should the E-Series Classic MFD be presently interfaced to the Network Switch via SeaTalkhs (M) to RJ45 Cable, then this cable may be adapted to be mated to this cable via an A80160 SeaTalkhs (F) to RayNet (F) Adapter. Otherwise, the Axiom or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD will then be interfaced to the network switch via an appropriate length of RayNet (F) to RJ45 Cable (M).

Should the current system not feature a SeaTalkhs Network Switch or SR6 Sirius Satellite Weather/Radio Receiver / Network Switch, then the Digital Radar Cable will in turn be interfaced to a switched 12 or 24 VDC power circuit and to the RayNet port of the Axiom or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD. Alternatively, the Digital Radar Cable may be interfaced to an A80007 HS5 RayNet Network Switch which will in turn be interfaced to the RayNet port of the Axiom or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD via an appropriate length of RayNet RayNet (F) to RayNet (F) Cable. The latter method would typically be employed if the MFD lacks sufficient RayNet Network sockets to alone support interfacing all other devices featuring a RayNet/SeaTalkhs/Ethernet interface (ex. other Axiom MFDs, a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs, RMK-9, CP100/CP200/CP300/450C Sounder Module, Digital/HD Digital/SuperHD radar scanners, IP Cameras, thermal camera, Fusion Marine stereos, etc.) and/or when seeking a central hub to interface products.

Should the Axiom or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD be installed within a binnacle mounted pod, then it is recommended that the Digital Radar Cable terminate below decks where it will be interfaced to a switched 12 or 24 VDC power circuit. Terminating the Digital Radar Cable below decks will eliminate the need to run power leads up the binnacle tube(s). Should a network switch be installed onboard, then the Digital Radar Cable will be joined to the network switch. Should a network switch not be installed onboard, then the Digital Radar Cable may then be interfaced to the MFD via a an assembly constructed from an A80162 RayNet (M) to RayNet (M) Cable Joiner and an appropriate length of RayNet RayNet (F) to RayNet (F) Cable. Terminating the Digital Radar Cable below decks will eliminate the need to run power leads up the binnacle tube(s) and has the benefit of offering better environmental protection to cable/wire splices.

Tech Tip: when installing marine electronics in pods mounted to binnacle tubing, it is recommended that cables featuring plugs be chased before chasing cables featuring bare leads. Cables featuring the larger plugs should be chased before chasing cables featuring the smaller plugs. Cables featuring bare leads should be chased last. When chasing a cable featuring bare leads on one end and a plug on the other end, then end of the cable featuring the bare leads should be chased rather than the plug end of the cable. You may also want to consider removing all cables from binnacle tubing before installing new equipment to better facilitate chasing cable.


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