connecting GPS to VHF

NeilH · 23 April 2009, 20:16

Hi my first posting and hope someone can help.
I have a Garmin GPSmap 450 which I want to connect to my Icom IC-M411. The garmin has two NMEA wires (in and out) whilst the icom has a coaxial cable (outer conductor - and inner conductor +). My question is how best to connect the two and where can I get the connectors? I don't really want to get involved in soldering things unless essential!
Any advice gratefully received.
thanks
Neil

JSP · 23 April 2009, 20:22

I've got an old Garmin 120 GPS connected to a Icom 411. Was having all kinds of problems but have sorted it now. On the Icom coaxial the RED + centre goes to the Garmin NMEA out (the wire is blue on mine) and the outer wire of the ICOM goes to an earth.
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29278

As for connectors I'm not sure. I just used standard connectors for now isolated from each other until I can find or hear of a better solution.
Hope that helps.

NeilH · 23 April 2009, 20:41

Thanks, so basically I connect the garmin blue (NMEA out) wire to the red inner conductor (NMEA+) on the icom and the outer wire of the icom and the brown (NMEA 1) on the garmin to earth?
Thanks for your advice
cheers
Neil

JSP · 23 April 2009, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilH

Thanks, so basically I connect the garmin blue (NMEA out) wire to the red inner conductor (NMEA+) on the icom and the outer wire of the icom and the brown (NMEA 1) on the garmin to earth?
Thanks for your advice
cheers
Neil

I don't know about the Brown NMEA out off the garmin. But the outer wire on the ICOM should be earth (did allot of searching on the net to find this out).

I wouldn't go connecting the Brown on the Garmin to anything until you find out better.
Connecting like I described has given me time, date, location etc info on the screen of my ICOM 411.

geoffs · 23 April 2009, 20:52

Don't connect the brown to anything, that is the NMEA feed into the Garmin which you do not need.

NeilH · 23 April 2009, 20:59

Thanks, the garmin handbook wants me to attach the blue wire (NMEA out 1) to the radio's NMEA In wire (which would be the red core) and the brown wire to the NMEA Out wire of the radio. Which does imply connecting both the brown wire and the outer wire from the icom to ground but I'll try and email garmin before I blow it up!
Thanks for your advice
Cheers
Neil

NeilH · 23 April 2009, 21:03

Thanks Geoff
that's great so blue garmin to red inner core and outer core of radio to earth and we have lift off.
thanks to both of you.
best wishes
Neil
actually looking at the wiring diagram in the garmin book it all makes sense now - the brown wire doesn't lead to anything!! Easy when someone who understands explains.

geoffs · 23 April 2009, 21:08

No Problem.

Fair seas.

jyasaki · 25 April 2009, 05:58

Auto parts stores should have a 2-pin Molex connector that would work, if be a bit bulky.

Electronics stores will have other suitable things like this

jky

JSP · 25 April 2009, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Auto parts stores should have a 2-pin Molex connector that would work, if be a bit bulky.

Electronics stores will have other suitable things like this

jky

It would be hard to fit a connection like that. The wire on the ICOM is a single coaxial type like an Ariel. Icom would have made life allot easier if they had put a separate earth and NMEA in wire on the back.

jyasaki · 26 April 2009, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

It would be hard to fit a connection like that. The wire on the ICOM is a single coaxial type like an Ariel. Icom would have made life allot easier if they had put a separate earth and NMEA in wire on the back.

Hard, perhaps; impossible, no.

2 methods:

a) strip jacket back about 3/4", unravel braid, separating the center conductor, and retwist braid into a seperate single "wire". Strip center conductor as required and terminate both.

b) Strip jacket and braid back by about an inch. Strip jacket back a bit further, leaving braid exposed. Take a small piece of wire, strip back 1/2", form a noose and solder it around exposed braid. Treat remainder as 2 separate wires.

You could also go with something like a BNC connector, but they're a pain in the butt to deal with.

jky

JSP · 26 April 2009, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Hard, perhaps; impossible, no.

2 methods:

a) strip jacket back about 3/4", unravel braid, separating the center conductor, and retwist braid into a seperate single "wire". Strip center conductor as required and terminate both.

b) Strip jacket and braid back by about an inch. Strip jacket back a bit further, leaving braid exposed. Take a small piece of wire, strip back 1/2", form a noose and solder it around exposed braid. Treat remainder as 2 separate wires.

You could also go with something like a BNC connector, but they're a pain in the butt to deal with.

jky

Cheers for that jky, you given me some ideas