[CA] [CA11] Interface Garmin 742xs to Ray ST8001 Autopilot

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

YoBub,

Q1) My new Garmin chartplotter has an Ethernet connection. Can I connect it to the SeaTalk HS hub, and share some type of data from the E120, such as depth, water temp, maybe others? I don't expect to share radar or fishfinder info.
A1. Negative. Please see my initial response addressing how the third party chartplotter may be interfaced to the autopilot. While it may be possible to interface the third party chartplotter additionally to the NMEA OUT2 port of the autopilot course computer to permit the third party chartplotter to receive some alphanumeric system data from the Raymarine system, this would not be typically be recommended as a NMEA 0183 data loop may be created.

Q2) I have read that the E120 can do some types of protocol translations between NMEA0183 and other protocols. If I can connect the Garmin as outlined in question 1, can I decide whether to use the Garmin or the E120 to drive the autopilot? (turn the function off on one or the other via software)
A2) While either MFD may be used to provide data to the autopilot when the third party autopilot has been interfaced to the autopilot in the manner specified and the Raymarine MFD remains within the system, then it will not be possible to command cancellation of navigation which had initiated on the third party chartplotter via the Raymarine MFD ... and vice versa.

Q3) The VHF has a built-in GPS, so it doesn't need a GPS signal from the chartplotters. It has an AIS receiver that I would like to feed out to one of the chartplotters, ideally to both. It only has NMEA0183 output. I've read that I can only have one "talker" on an 0183 network, so can I send that AIS signal through 0183 to the E120? Not sure if that will screw up the auto pilot.
A3) It is generally recommended that the 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 output of an AIS transceiver be paralleled to support supplying signal to more than one device. If interfacing the AIS receiver alone to the E120 MFD, one wound need to utilize the MFD's NMEA 0183 interface as is indicated within the FAQ found here.