GPS Positioning to iCom 323

[steco1958]

I have the icom 323 and thinking about connecting a GPS device to it.

How easy is it ?
What do I need ?
Is it costly ?

[Gilles]

plug and pray

[Pikey Dave]

The 323 is NMEA 0183 only, you will need a NMEA 0183 output from your GPS, after that it's just a case of picking the right 2 from 4. The manual for both devices is a good place to start. Not particularly difficult if you RTFM

[steco1958]

Just need to get an appropriate GPS receiver first

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by steco1958

Just need to get an appropriate GPS receiver first

Ah! I'd assumed that you already had one. "Most" gps/plotters will output NMEA0183, even some of the Garmin handhelds.

[steco1958]

Not sure I need/want a plotter, is there a device that is self contained and just plugs into rear of the icom to purely give the gps coordinates

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by steco1958

Not sure I need/want a plotter, is there a device that is self contained and just plugs into rear of the icom to purely give the gps coordinates

yes, they are out there, the Raymarine 125 would work, but they ain't cheap unless you can pick a second hand one up. I'm sure that there are others on fleabay to be had. Many are going NMEA2000 now though, so beware.

This "should" work

[ShinyShoe]

OK so you basically have 3 choices:

- A Plotter or something of that ilk. Cost c.£160 +++ e.g. Lowrance Elite 4m - Chart Plotter - GPS - Last Few Remaining | eBay although I suspect that screen is too small to be of any use, and there is only a outline of the UK map & not sure its waterproof (these things are often intended for a wheelhouse not an open deck)
- A handheld (or fixed) GPS that'll cost from £80 +++. If going this route you want one with NMEA out (handhelds don't all do this on the lower end models) and one that can charge/run from your boat 12V to save batteries in the handheld. Something like this: Garmin Etrex H GPS Handheld Portable Outdoor Walking Hiking Navigator 0753759072858 | eBay plus this: Garmin cable with open ends (data only) etrex sw | eBay although you may find one with a charge lead that you might need to butcher a bit
- A GPS Mouse (looks like a computer mouse). These have no screen and take power from the boat. Cheapest. Used to be really common with a RS232 port on but most have a USB which I'm not sure you can just chop off and wire in both because the supply voltage would be 12V vs 5V and the USB protocol is different from good old serial... If it was me doing what you want I'd get one of these: V.KEL VK16HX G-Mouse GPS Module GPS Navigation Board w/TTL Level Ceramic Antenna | eBay and a 5V power supply (like you use for USB charging e.g. 2Pcs 6.0V-12V to 5V AMS1117-5.0V Power Supply Module Voltage Regulator AMS1117 | eBay) and botch something together inside a waterproof enclosure and stick it inside the console... Total cost <£10. But since you asked the question I'm guessing something like this: Haicom HI-206 PS2 Mini size Waterproof GPS Mouse (SiRF StarIII) Ultra High Sens. | eBay but you would need to do something for 5v power still...

[Simon666]

Please see my post Re: DIY NMEA radio feed:
http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/diy-nme...ios-61959.html

[9D280]

In the depths of Siny's post is possibly the cheapest option:

A Garmin GPS12 / 72 type thing can be got off fleabay for about £40. the "tails" lead is about £20 if you don't shop around.

If you really don't want to have the handheld on display, a Garmin V series (the triangular shaped ones) has a removable antenna which you can plug a standard waterproof GPS antenna (£12 from Maplin with something like 1.2m of cable - but you do have to change the plug to a BNC) and mount the puck "outside" with the the machine under your seat or wherever is suitable. (puck is about 1" across)


I built a mount for my GPS12 so it fitted on the console neatly & fliush instead of these crazy "stick" mounts - it may be a 1992 vintage brick, but feeds the radio, lasts 24 hrs on a set of AAs even feeding NMEA to the radio (normally uses boat power, but should that fail....) and it gives me a trip computer.