[CA] [CA11] Networking 2 MFD and multiple NMEA0183 sources

[heatz]

I have an a98 MFD hooked up to a VHF over 0183 (in and out) Port1 and AIS input into Port2. I am adding an a78 MFD and will network to the a98 using Raynet cable. I have a Furuno heading compass with 0183 connectivity and I want to hook it up to my Ray setup. However, both 0183 ports on the a98 are in use. Can I hook up the heading sensor to a 0183 port on the a78 and share the heading data across the Raynet network?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum heatz,

Q. Can I hook up the heading sensor to a 0183 port on the a78 and share the heading data across the Raynet network?
A. While heading may indeed be shared between a pair of compatible MFDs via the system's Ethernet network, the a6x & a7x MFDs do not have a NMEA 0183 communications interface. Any of the following may address interfacing these products:
- Should the AIS receiver be a Raymarine AIS250, AIS500, AIS350, or AIS650, then the NMEA 0183 output leads of the heading source may be interfaced to the 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 input leads/terminals of the AIS receiver/transceiver.
- Installation of a 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 multiplexer between NMEA 0183 Port 1 input leads of the a9x MFD and the NMEA 0183 output leads of the heading sensor and VHF radio.
- Interface the heading sensor to a NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 data bridging device (ex. Actisense NGW-1-ISO, which in turn is interfaced to the system's powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone to which the system's Data Master MFD has been interfaced.