Vhf/Src passed and a Dsc question

[astra]

Hi again, right me and the mrs have done the Vhf src course with compass sea school and both passed, many thanks to the person who suggested the course and found out what date it was on that was very appreciated. Right then this cousre was very imformative and taught me a lot especially on the Dsc side of things, I want to get one. Now the standard horizon handheld with built in dsc is very expensive. I believe all dsc radios need to be plugged in to a chart plotter, But i already have a I have a garmin gps 60 is this compatible with any dsc compatable radio. Many thanks Ben

[Poly]

Originally Posted by astra

Hi again, right me and the mrs have done the Vhf src course with compass sea school and both passed, many thanks to the person who suggested the course and found out what date it was on that was very appreciated. Right then this cousre was very imformative and taught me a lot especially on the Dsc side of things, I want to get one. Now the standard horizon handheld with built in dsc is very expensive. I believe all dsc radios need to be plugged in to a chart plotter, But i already have a I have a garmin gps 60 is this compatible with any dsc compatable radio. Many thanks Ben

A Fixed DSC radio (as opposed to the S/H) only needs an NMEA feed from virtually any GPS - it doesn't need to be a charplotter, doesn't need to even have a display.

EDIT: This cable would be the sort of thing you need to connect the Garmin 60 - https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=519 it would also let your run it from your "main" boat power rather than batteries. There may be cheaper cables on ebay etc if you look.

[Top banana]

theres no data output on the gps 60 to link to a vhf,
Been looking at the standard horizon dsc handheld for a mate, looks like a descent bit of kit but havnt heard any reviews on them yet, but add together the cost of a fixed radio and gps it sounds a good entry level alternative.

[martini]

Ben, to get the full functionality of a DSC radio it needs position information from a gps receiver, either a built-in gps receiver as would be the case for a hand held VHF, or via a network cable from a seperate GPS or plotter as would normally be the case with a fixed VHF unit.

If its a handheld DSC VHF you're after then it will AFAIK have a built in GPS. Yes it will be considerably more expensive than a normal handheld VHF, for obvious reasons. Also, this is brand new kit that's only just coming out, in fact it was only last week that OFCOM decided to authorise the use of handheld DSC radios in the UK, allowing them to be issued with an individual portable MMSI number.

The only unit I'm aware of at the moment is the Standard Horizon HX851, retails at around £230.

Hope this helps
Matt

[Poly]

/

Originally Posted by Top banana

theres no data output on the gps 60 to link to a vhf,

that's not what Mr Garmin says https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6446#specsTab

[martini]

Originally Posted by Polwart

/ that's not what Mr Garmin says https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6446#specsTab

Are you looking at the "interface: serial and USB" spec?
That would only be for connecting to a PC

[Top banana]

Originally Posted by martini

Are you looking at the "interface: serial and USB" spec?
That would only be for connecting to a PC

Correct

[Poly]

Originally Posted by martini

Are you looking at the "interface: serial and USB" spec?
That would only be for connecting to a PC

Yes, Serial interface = NMEA 0183 (on every common brand of GPS).

The manual (http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPS60_OwnersManual.pdf) appears to suggest that this is no different, specificially describing wiring and NMEA spec on p73 and setting up the interface in the device on p43.

[martini]

Some useful FAQ's on the subject of portable DSC VHF's

http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radioc...o/faq/vhf-faq/

[martini]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Yes, Serial interface = NMEA 0183 (on every common brand of GPS).

The manual (http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPS60_OwnersManual.pdf) appears to suggest that this is no different, specificially describing wiring and NMEA spec on p73 and setting up the interface in the device on p43.

I believe I stand corrected there!

[Top banana]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Yes, Serial interface = NMEA 0183 (on every common brand of GPS).

The manual (http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPS60_OwnersManual.pdf) appears to suggest that this is no different, specificially describing wiring and NMEA spec on p73 and setting up the interface in the device on p43.

well it does seem to sugest nmea 0183 data in-out,

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Top banana

well it does seem to sugest nmea 0183 data in-out,

OK so now we've sorted that out then the OP is looking at:

A cable to connect the GPS to VHF (£20 ish)
A VHF/DSC radio (general consensus seems to be that ICOM / S.Horizon offer good value for money - there are cheaper units but the OP seems to have a very small boat and therefore probably very wet - and the waterproofing and longevity may not be as good) £120 ish
Aerial £40ish

Subtotal £ 180 ish

But if you don't aleady have a battery you'll need to add the cost of that (wiring, battery, switch, fuse etc - easily £30). And if you don't have a console then I'd suggest you need to look at waterproofing all the electrics etc - and somesort of box is going to bring the total cost upto the same sort of price as the S/H handheld dsc...

Obviously if you already have the data cable, the battery and enclosure then it turns that all on its head.

[Top banana]

[QUOTE=Polwart;369582] OK so now we've sorted that out then the OP is looking at:


Sorry headmaster, i must learn not to shout in future until ive thoroughly
studied the question.

[martini]

I'd still say that the handheld dsc vhf would be the way to go for the extra £100 or so on a small sib. Saves messing around with antennas, co-ax cables, power supplies, mounting boxes etc etc. Joining two handheld units together is not ideal when carried on your person, liable to snag the cable etc. The added benefit of the dsc vhf is you've then got a back up gps to use, probably cant store waypoints etc in it but in conjuction with a paper chart would be enough to get you home.

[willk]

In a rig like that, I'd get the handheld and by God I'd hold it. Srsly, unless you wander far off the beaten track, the HH range will suffice and if you end up in the drink, the DSC will be invaluable. Later, you could go for Fixed. I reckon you'll ungrade anyway, and the HH can go with. Nice bit of kit to use on other boats too.

Nice bit of kit all round....

[jake 4589]

Originally Posted by martini

Also, this is brand new kit that's only just coming out, in fact it was only last week that OFCOM decided to authorise the use of handheld DSC radios in the UK, allowing them to be issued with an individual portable MMSI number.

Just for clarifiaction, The HX851 e Has its own, inbuilt gps. Also type approval was granted in Mid July, I know as I bought one last week of July and used it in cornwall in August.
Paid £223 inc vat and delivery .

Fab bit of kit, My only slight criticism is that the spring belt clip on the back opens a little too easy. I was only leaning on the sib and it came off in st. ives harbour. Still though, proved that it floats and it's waterproof, never the less I am well pleased

Jake