AIS hookup to e95 - Standard Horizon Matrix GX2200 - Wire help

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Rich,

Please note that it is indeed possible to interface the MFD to the VHF radio / AIS receiver via the MFD's NMEA 0183 port to support bidirectional communications between the VHF radio / AIS receiver.
- connect the MFD's NMEA 0183 OUT1+ (yellow) lead to the NMEA 0183 IN+ (blue) lead of the GX2200
- connect the MFD's NMEA 0183 OUT1- (brown) lead to the NMEA 0183 IN- (green) lead of the GX2200
- connect the MFD's NMEA 0183 IN+ (white) lead to the NMEA 0183 OUT+ (gray) lead of the GX2200
- connect the MFD's NMEA 0183 IN- (green) lead to the NMEA 0183 OUT- (brown) lead of the GX2200
- Configure the GX2200's NMEA DATA IN/OUT setting to 38400 BPS.
- Configure the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 1 Setting (HOME->SET-UP->SYSTEM SETTINGS->NMEA SET-UP->NMEA INPUT PORT 1) to AIS 38400.
- To view AIS objects within the MFD's Chart application, configure the AIS overlay (MENU->PRESENTATION->OVERLAYS->AIS) to ON.

Q. Is there a way to know if the AIS data interfaced is working in the absence of any vessels which have AIS?
A. Using the MFD's diagnostics features, examine MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 1 for received sentences. I would expect the third party AIS transceiver to periodically transmit $AIVDO (ownship) NMEA 0183 sentences to the MFD.

That said, it is alternatively possible to disconnect the MFD's NMEA 0183 port from the VHF radio / AIS transceiver and instead interface these two products as spurs to a powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone to support bidirectional communications between the products as well as to make AIS data available to any other compatible products which may be interfaced to the SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone. The latter is considered a best installation practice. As you have indicated, an NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 data bridging device supporting communications of AIS data (ex. Actisense NGW-1-ISO-AIS, etc.) would be required for this purpose.

With the understanding that you are asking Raymarine product support to provide instructions concerning how a third party VHF radio / AIS receiver would be interfaced to a third party NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 data bridging device, I believe that you will find that the following connections would be required:
- Ensure that the MFD's NMEA 0183 port is not interfaced to the GX2200
- connect the 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 OUT+ (white) lead of the NGW-1-ISO-AIS to the NMEA 0183 IN+ (blue) lead of the GX2200
- connect the 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 OUT- (blue) lead of the NGW-1-ISO-AIS to the NMEA 0183 IN- (green) lead of the GX2200
- connect the 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 IN+ (red) lead of the NGW-1-ISO-AIS to the NMEA 0183 OUT+ (gray) lead of the GX2200
- connect the 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 IN- (black) lead of the NGW-1-ISO-AIS to the NMEA 0183 OUT- (brown) lead of the GX2200
- Configure the GX2200's NMEA DATA IN/OUT setting to 38400 BPS.
- No communications port settings need be configured on the MFD to support communications between the MFD and GX2200
- To view AIS objects within the MFD's Chart application, configure the AIS overlay (MENU->PRESENTATION->OVERLAYS->AIS) to ON.