AIS with NMEA 0183 to 2000

[SteveHall]

Can I add an AIS transponder with NMEA 0183 to my Lowrance HDS units running NMEA 2000?

(The AIS transponder has the bare cables)

Will I be able to use the functions of the AIS transponder without any issues?

[MikeCC]

Yes, as long as you have a spare NMEA 0183 port free on the Lowrance. Don't forget to set the port to 38400 baud.

[9D280]

Depending what your AIS spits out you may need to tell the Lowrance to ignore the 0183 positional string.

Not AIS, but- I reckoned I would use my handheld garmin as a trip computer (less clutter on the plotter screen) and also as a backup GPS antenna. (I've ended up with an NMEA patch bay in the console, but that's another story). What I found was if you feed it the location from the 2K network (antenna puck) and then superimpose the handheld's position (inevitably slightly different) it goes nuts! (and creates a very fuzzy trail)

I assume the HDS uses similar logic / menus to the non HDS stuff - there is a check box in the NMEA0183 setup screen that says something to the effect of "use me for position" - might be worth looking at if it starts to go bonkers on screen!


All of course irrelevant if your AIS box doesn't tell the plotter where it thinks it is! (e.g the new DSC radios with built - in GPS)

[SteveHall]

I decided to hold back on the transponder and wait until I can afford a N2K unit, but got the Lowrance Link 8 VHF to get AIS rx.