External GPS for a78 (E70203)

[TXMarineRepair]

I would like to connect my a78 to an external GPS receiver. I have an existing NMEA183 GPS but I do not see any way to connect it to the a78 or to my existing SeaTalk 1 network with GPS (see note below regarding my existing SeaTalk 1 network) I have read the documentation and it appears the RS 150 is the only GPS which will work.
Question 1 - is that correct?
Question 2 - To connect the RS 150 can I use a A06064 SeaTalkng 5-way Connector with the RS 150 connected to the A06064, a SeaTalk ng power cable connected to the A06064 and the a78 connected with a spur cable to the A06064?

Note about my existing SeaTalk 1 network. I have a complete existing array of Raymarine SeaTalk 1 instruments which work great - Pathfinder Radar, GPS, ST60 (wind, tridata, etc.), SeaTalk 1 to NMEA183 converter, and also an ST 6000+ Autopilot with type 2 linear drive and type 300 course computer. When I purchased the a78 the marine dealer said I could connect the a78 to my existing SeaTalk 1 network using the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng converter which I purchased. But the converter documentation in bold type says you can NOT connect the converter to a SeaTalk 1 network with a type 300 course computer. Is that still true?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum TXMarineRepairm,

Q1. I have an existing NMEA183 GPS but I do not see any way to connect it to the a78 or to my existing SeaTalk 1 network with GPS (see note below regarding my existing SeaTalk 1 network) I have read the documentation and it appears the RS 150 is the only GPS which will work. Question 1 - is that correct?

A1. Your statements are incorrect. With respect to NMEA 0183 devices, while the a6x and a7x MFDs do not feature a NMEA 0183 port, they do feature a SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 port permitting the MFD to be interfaced as a spur to a powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng backbone. A NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 data bridging device (ex. Actisense NGW-1-ISO-STNG, etc.) may be used to interface NMEA 0183 devices such as the NMEA 0183 GPS sensor which your have referenced to a SeaTalkng / NMEA 200 backbone. In this case, the NMEA 0183 output leads of the GPS sensor would be interfaced to the NMEA 0183 input leads/terminals of the NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 data bridging device. The NMEA 0183 GPS sensor will additionally need to be interfaced to a source of power.

Alternatively, should the system feature a hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Radar Display which has been interfaced to the system via SeaTalk, then the NMEA 0183 GPS Sensor may instead be interfaced to the NMEA 0183 input leads of the hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Radar Display's Power/NMEA 0183 Input Cable. The NMEA 0183 GPS sensor will additionally need to be interfaced to a source of power.

While it is recommended that ST60 instruments be adapted with a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter for use with a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs, the same is not so for the Type 300 Autopilot Course Computer. It is recommended that the ST6000 autopilot control head be disconnected from the ST60 instruments and that it alone be interfaced to the autopilot course computer's SeaTalk port. The NMEA 0183 output leads/terminals of the NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 data bridging device would then be interfaced to the autopilot course computer's NMEA 0183 input terminals.

Q2. Question 2 - To connect the RS 150 can I use a A06064 SeaTalkng 5-way Connector with the RS 150 connected to the A06064, a SeaTalk ng power cable connected to the A06064 and the a78 connected with a spur cable to the A06064?
A2. Should you elect to use a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor instead of the currently installed NMEA 0183 GPS Sensor, then please click here to view a FAQ addressing how the RS150 GPS Sensor may be interfaced to the MFD.

Q3. But the converter documentation in bold type says you can NOT connect the converter to a SeaTalk 1 network with a type 300 course computer. Is that still true?
A3. See the response to Q1 addressing how the Type 300 autopilot course computer and autopilot control head may be interfaced to the system.

[TXMarineRepair]

Thank you very much Chuck. Great info and a great help. Reinforces my decision to be a dedicated Raymarine customer (with the exception of the one GPS sensor)

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

You're welcome.