Raymarine C120 - Icom M601

gingercoastie · 16 May 2005, 16:05

Any one had a problem getting these 2 to talk to each other.

I am pretty sure that my electronics wiz has soldered the plug from the M601 properly, but they are not talking to each other.

The C120 is sending out its NMEA Data, but it seems that the M601 is not listening. Do I have to tell the M601 to listen, as I couldn't find this option in the menus.

The only thing I can see from the manuals that is a problem is the M601 says its has sentance formaters RMC,GGA,GNS,GLL, but the C120 does not have a GNS. Is this important?

It seems to me that there is money to be made if someone knows how to wire a GPS to a DSC. It obviously aint easy judging by the amount of questions on this forum.

jwalker · 16 May 2005, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingercoastie

It seems to me that there is money to be made if someone knows how to wire a GPS to a DSC. It obviously aint easy judging by the amount of questions on this forum.

It's dead easy if you've got a Garmin and a Silva. Just connect the fkin wires.

Just windin' you up, Ginge.

Jon Brooks · 16 May 2005, 20:08

Alex

As long as you have it wired correctly the chances are it is the GPS at fault.
To date everytime we get a call re a problem it is down to the GPS and not the radio.

The radio is just waiting for the right info,
If the GPS is not sending the right info it will not work.

Sorry but on this one you may need to call Raymarine.
I have not played with the C120 so can't be any further help me thinks.

Regards

Richard B · 16 May 2005, 21:57

Alex, have you played around with different connections?

You won't break anything - these are just data connections, not power connections, so there's no risk of blowing anything up.

I connected our Icom 601 to our Raymarine 425 using the phono lead (I just happened to have a corresponding connecting lead already made up) instead of soldering the 6-pin plug. I initially conected it with the GPS NMEA out to the radio NMEA in (logical, yes?)... and it didn't work.

However, when I connected the GPS NMEA out to the radio NMEA out, it worked

I can only assume that somone made a naming convention that means "connect this to NMEA out", instead of "this is the NMEA out". What's in a name!

Phonos are now well wrapped in self amalgamating tape.

Jon Brooks · 17 May 2005, 08:12

The M601 should come with a made up break out lead, terminated in phono's.
We had these made up about 12 months ago.
Thay are in the box with the units now.

They have to multi plug at one end then at the other there is 2 phono's and 1 3.5mm jack socket.
Red phono NMEA in
White phono NMEA out
Jack ext spk.

We had these made up due to the lack of slodering skills in the marine world!!

Alex if you need one let me know.
I will ship you one FOC

Regards

gingercoastie · 17 May 2005, 08:19

Jon,

Just been up to the attic to get mine. Just need to solder the the lead from the gps now

gingercoastie · 17 May 2005, 08:37

OK. I am probably been thick now

, but there are 2 NMEA out and 2 NMEA in connections on the multi pin plug, but only one for each on the phone lead.

How do I mach the 2 wires together so that they go to the one plug?

gingercoastie · 26 May 2005, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

I connected our Icom 601 to our Raymarine 425 using the phono lead (I just happened to have a corresponding connecting lead already made up) instead of soldering the 6-pin plug. I initially conected it with the GPS NMEA out to the radio NMEA in (logical, yes?)... and it didn't work.

However, when I connected the GPS NMEA out to the radio NMEA out, it worked

I can only assume that somone made a naming convention that means "connect this to NMEA out", instead of "this is the NMEA out". What's in a name!

Phonos are now well wrapped in self amalgamating tape.

I have purchased a soldering iron and solder, so I am now planning on venturing into unknown territory.

The wire coming from the C120 has 2 NMEA out and in wires. The phono lead only has one for NMEA in and out. How do I match these together, or can't I?

Richard B · 26 May 2005, 14:40

Each phono is two connections - the core and the shield being positive and negative... or is it negative and positive... I don't know which way round they are - there's probably a standard for this!

If you 'phone Icom you can usually get through to knowlegdeable technical staff straight away... 01227 741741

Otherwise Superradioman will no doubt don his cape and post here...

Jimbob · 26 May 2005, 15:57

Here is something that may help, give you an idea,whatever. I found that the naming convention seemed strange and that for someone from telcoms

Just some helpful info if you are fitting the ICOM DSC M421 to a GSP/ chart plotter

I’m sure this may seem straight forward, but it took me a couple of hrs reading the books

1) Firstly depending on the GSP check that the data speed rate is set at 4800, and the NMEA is 0183 v2.0 3.02. If there are no settings and its fairly new then this should be the output anyway, as example my Raymarine 420 is about 3 years old and has no facility to change.
2) The connections are (switch power off before starting)

a) NMEA data out (Yellow in my case) of the GSP or plotter goes to the NMEA + of the radio, the inner core (White). Do not use the NMEA + from the GPS or plotter
b) The Data out common (brown wire in my case) of the GSP or Plotter Goes to the outer copper cable (seems like the shield). Do not use the NMEA – from the GPS or plotter. There is only one core so again you cannot go wrong.

I twisted the wires together until i got it correct

Richard B · 26 May 2005, 16:26

Err... I thought it was as simple as the following diagram:
(add cable colours as appropriate to manufacturer)
The only confusing bits were that the "In" phono was labelled "out", and vice versa, and it wasn't obvious which wire in the phono lead (core or shield) was pos and neg... trial and error resolved the conundrum!

gingercoastie · 26 May 2005, 16:30

Ok I think I have straight in my head now, just have to wait until tommorow when I go back to the boat.............The suspense is killing me

gingercoastie · 27 May 2005, 12:39

Richard, you are my hero.

I have managed to get it working with the phono leads this morning. I am well chuffed, thank you.

Richard B · 27 May 2005, 12:43

You're welcome

I'm pleased you've sorted it out - have a great trip to the Scillies... I'll just be jealous 'cos we can't make it!