Standard Horizon GX2100, AISrx/VHF combo for most any boat?
I consider this fairly big news. Not only does the GX2100 combine full featured Class D VHF with a true dual AIS receiver in one box with a fairly big screen, and include most all of the nice added features the pairing can support, but it does it all for $400 MAP (minimum advertised price). That’s a lot of features per gear dollar, and I’m going to list most of them because they’re not online elsewhere yet:
So, meet the Standard Horizon GX2100, a.k.a. the Matrix AIS, which is already FCC approved, and should ship soon:
AIS target display — MMSI, Call Sign, Ship Name, BRG, DST, SOG and COG; Contact AIS Ship with DSC; CPA (Closest Point of Approach) Alarm; 80dB Commercial grade receiver; Class D DSC (continuous DSC watch via independent Channel 70 receiver) with Individual, All ship, Position Report, Request and Distress; Enter, Save and Navigate to waypoints (up to 100 saved) with Compass page; Navigate to a DSC Distress Call; ClearVoice noise canceling speaker microphone with channel selection and 16/9 key; Over-sized rotary channel knob with push to enter, backlit display and keys; 30 Watt PA/Loud Hailer with pre-programmed fog signals and listen back; Capable of connecting an optional RAM3 second station remote microphone; Intercom between radio and RAM3; DSC position request and report functions when connected to compatible GPS chart plotter; Voice Scrambler (optional); Versatile user-programmable scanning, priority scan and Dual Watch; User programmable soft keys; 38,400 AIS NMEA 0183 sentence output to compatible GPS Chart Plotter; available in black or white; and comes with a 3 Year Waterproof Warranty
Wow. The common lament of VHF manufacturers is that many boaters never replace the one(s) that came with their boat (which was true of Gizmo, though most every other piece had been replaced in her prior 9 years). And which also contributes to the glacial pace of DSC adoption. Maybe this GX2100 will do the trick for many?
But what if you already have an AIS receiver or transponder? Well, this could be a backup receiver with AIS/DSC features you may not otherwise have. Or the the unit you leave on during a long offshore sail, or at anchor. OR you may be interested in the GX2000, which seems to be the same radio except that it has a 38,400 NMEA 0183 AIS input instead of an AIS receiver and it only MAPs for $230. But let’s note that this is where some boats with standard 0183 AIS receivers/transponders are going to run into a problem of too little 0183 output to feed too many mouths, which is one of the reasons I inadvertently created that whole AIS/N2K mess the other day.
And when you think about it, aren’t devices like these that have GPS input, DSC message output, and AIS input or output kinda ripe for real NMEA 2000 type networking anyway? Just saying. We already know that the Garmin VHF300 AIS, with N2K, is coming, but it’s a premium product, and also involves a separate decision involving the pros and cons of black box radios. The new GX2100 and GX2000 make more sense on more boats right now, and Standard Horizon deserves a big hand.
Timing of this article couldn’t be better, I was going to buy a Standard Horizon Quantum VHF today.
Looks like it might be worth waiting a bit!
BTW, based on past experience, SH offers superb customer support.
Wow, this is pretty cool. Probably an AIS newbie question…is this plug-and-play with my existing VHF antenna, or do I need to climb up to the top of my sailboat mast to replace the antenna for the AIS to work?
Wowsa . . . nice machine though again it doesn’t bode well for NMEA2000 implementation in the AIS world. OK, sore subject. I would put this on board just for the quick mmsi call feature.
So can this output AIS data to either a chartplotter or a PC program over 0183?
I agree with the timing. I have an old ICOM M45 perfect for the Great Lakes, plus a SH 471SX with DSC as a handheld, but for offshore I want AIS as both a standalone and as an optional overlay to a MFD or PC chartplotter. I have a pilothouse and inside/outside helms on my sailboat, so I don’t necessarily need an “outdoor” MFD…this makes sense.
I suppose AIS integration of all kinds is coming. Just noticed a new Digital Yacht railmount receiver/antenna unit discussed over at Navagear
http://www.navagear.com/2009/11/new-class-b-ais-antenna-from-digital-yacht/
M. Darcey,
You are correct, the GX2100 MATRIX AIS will output the 38400 NMEA AIS data when connected to a compatible Chartplotter or PC program.
R. Jason Kennedy
Executive Vice President
Standard Horizon
I am outfitting a new boat in the early spring and was hoping this type of product would come along. Perhaps this will spur Icom into releasing a competitive product. Is there any reason why the integration could not extend to a full Class B transceiver? Are the FCC rules still inhibiting product development or introduction into the US?
I think I might have been one of the deleted comments.
I may have seemed a bit over enthusiastic about SH’s customer service, but I have nothing but good to say about the way they treated me with repairing my chartplotter,(even though the damage was entirely my fault).
Kind of a shame that these days it’s too often that a positive customer experience is the exception amd not the rule.
Any idea of when this unit will be available in Canada?
Boydster,
Thank you for your positive comments regarding Standard Horizon’s customer service.
The GX2100 will be available in December 2009!
Jason Kennedy
Standard Horizon
Sorry about that Boydster! I just un-deleted the ‘suspicious’ comments and deleted my own because I realized I went off on the wrong track. A little solid research by someone smarter than me today convinced me that every one here is the real deal.
Please note that I never thought Jason or his colleagues were gaming the comments, though I did think someone was. I may have a little flu-driven paranoia going, but the other factor here is that SH seems to have such a hot product that first reactions seemed too positive to be real.
Pat James,
No need to climb the mast, the GX2100 MATRIX AIS is plug-and-play with your existing VHF antenna for both AIS and VHF.
Jason
I have heard that there are FCC issues with integrating a Class B AIS transceiver in the VHF radio, but that is certainly what I am waiting for. Putting the AIS section in a separate box would be fine too if the FCC requires it. I just want integrated AIS transceiver, GPS (for AIS and the radio), and a shared antenna.
And, will not be waiting for the Ethernet version, NMEA 0183 & 2000 will be fine.
Jon
Jason, if you are still listening… Do you know if the NMEA0183 GPS input will have configurable baud rates? For example the Raymarine C Classic has one NMEA0183 in/output, if you want AIS displayed you need to set it to 38.4Kbps, the GPS output would then also be at the higher speed. So can the GX2100 take a 38.4Kbps GPS input?
Product looks brilliant! Can’t wait for it to ship.
Earl
Another couple for Jason: will you be introducing AIS capable versions of the “higher end” VHF products such as the GX5500 any time soon? How about a VHF with an integrated AIS Class B transceiver? Thanks.
This is a REALLY big deal. In a single step, SH takes the lead by four lengths, at a jaw-dropping price point.
You’re OK Ben, SH is _unbelievably_ good at customer support. There is no need for shills or forum pumping. If you don’t believe me, listen in when an unsophisticated customer calls them with a tough question. You will be pleasantly surprised.
You know I can be pretty critical of unsupportive vendors, and you know I have an irrational product loyalty to Garmin, but SH is the real deal.
What a creative product!
I can’t imagine any more functionality being added to a RAM Mic, though; it’s such a small device. So I have to ask, Will my existing SH RAM mic at the helm work with this radio, or would I have to replace it?
BTW, my SH Ram Mic is one of my favorite tools on the boat. The quality of the speaker output is outstanding for such a small (and waterproof!) device.
EarlM,
AIS NMEA output 38.4 kbps
GPS NMEA in/out 4800 bps
Brown wire: NMEA 0183 � HS (38400 bps for AIS data) Input/Output: GX2100: Output, GX2000: Input
Blue wire: NMEA 0183 (4800 bps for GPS data) Input
Gray wire: NMEA 0183 (4800 bps for DSC data) Output
Green wire: NMEA Negative (Common GND)
I hope this answers your question.
Jason
Larry Brandt,
The NEW CMP30 RAM3 has a dot matrix screen and will be able to display the AIS information similar to the GX2000/2100 MATRIX.
Jason
Jason . . . the biggie . . . will there be a transponder version?
Did you have a look at the Radio Ocean RO4800 VHF/AIS combo? This is available around EUR 350,- and has an optional wireless remote which works perfect!
This has been on the market in Europe for a year now, I don’t know if it is available on the US market.
Chris
Products like this are a good reminder why I’ve been a happy Standard Horizon user for decades. With this product SH is ahead of the competition again, with everyone else playing catch-up ball.
Since I already have two AIS units onboard (one receiver and one Class A transceiver), I’d have a hard time convince the admiral/comptroller I need another one, but it looks like a terrific product . . . one I can happily recommend to my AIS-less friends.
–Milt Baker Nordhavn 47 Bluewater, Fort Lauderdale
I was trying to find a spec sheet on the SH Web site… but must be to soon for one to be posted.
My question is do you need two antennas with this unit?
Regardless.. I am AISless and have an old SH non digital radio so this will be my
Christmas present if SH Ships early enough.
Any word on the specifics of shipping in December.
Fisheries Supply (Seattle) said they would be receiving the unit without AIS ( I think the 2000)but made no mention of the AIS Unit.
Could Standard Horizon weigh in and post where these units will be sold in the Seattle area.
Regards
Christian
Just one VHF antenna needed, Christian.
As a potential luddite amongst this crowd – Will this unit be able to integrate seamlessly with a Garmin 5200 – or newer GPS ?
My understanding is that the new Garmin stuff is NEMA 2000 – but that you can also run 183 – so a networked system – Radar / Sounder / GPS – all garmin @ 2000 – and this at 183 – will this be an issue ?
Yes it should but you may have an different issue if you don’t have two free NEMA 0183 ports on your display as noted above, one that you can configure for 38,400 baud rate for AIS input from VHF and one at 4800 for GPS output to VHF.
Make that three NMEA 0183 connections! If you want the Garmin to create waypoints for incoming DSC distress and buddy calls, you need to connect the radio’s DSC output to a standard 0183 input port on the Garmin.
The Garmin 5200 has plenty of 0183 ports, but bear in mind that you’ll need to connect six tiny wires from the radio to six tiny wires on the Garmin. That’s one reason I think this level of networking is ripe for NMEA 2000. But unfortunately that’s an expensive option right now.
Question – SH was a HUGE help i getting my HX370S configured on 2 meters. THANKS GUYS!
Does anyone know if this or any other fixed mount VHF can do 2 meters including CTSS?
Anyone want to buy a year old SH GX1500S?
Speaking of cool AIS news, check this out:
ISS Can Now Watch Sea Traffic From Space
During its last mission, astronauts from the Space Shuttle Atlantis installed an Automatic Identification System antenna on the outside of the International Space Station that will allow astronauts aboard the ISS to monitor signals from the AIS transmitters mandated to be installed on most large ocean-going craft. Although these VHF signals can be monitored from the Earth’s surface, their horizontal range is generally limited to about 75 km (46 mi), leaving large areas of the ocean unwatched. However, the signals easily reach the 400 km (250 mi) orbit of the ISS. The European Space Agency sees this experiment as a test platform for a future AIS-monitoring fleet of satellites that will eventually provide worldwide coverage of sea traffic.
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/SEMIHX49J2G_0.html
Data overload! Not a problem for eathbound users, but the ISS can see four of the busiest ports and sealanes all at the same time.
Any ideas of the power consumption? Is there a sleep/minimal power consumption mode?
GX2100 AIS vs GX2000 Current Drain
Standby 0.55 A (GX2100), 0.45 A(GX2000)
Receiver (at Maximum AF Output)0.9 A (GX2100), 0.8 A (GX2000)
Transmit 5.0 A (Hi), 1.0 A (Lo)
Tim Flanagan of Navagear did a good job probing the NMEA 0183 installation issues around these radios. It’s certainly doable one way or another, but can get complex, and potential buyers should understand what they’re getting into:
http://www.madmariner.com/blogs/navagear/49196
Ben, reading that Navagear post was frustrating. I kept waiting for him to write, “of course, if this piece of 2010 model year kit just supported NMEA2000, all of these issues would be moot…”
I agree, Adam, and I look forward to the day when the major VHF manufacturers adopt NMEA 2000. And wouldn’t be surprised if Standard was first. But I also understand that the VHF market is quite price sensitive, and they obviously worked hard to pack a lot of value into the GX series.
I’ve been thinking a bit more about Tim’s critique and it’s worth noting that much of his frustration has largely to do with the fact that his Raymarine C-Series only has one NMEA 0183 input/output port. That’s really quite unusual, and has caused complications for many.
It’s also probably prudent, and maybe NMEA specs, for Standard Horizon not to mix the DSC output with the AIS stream. For one thing, AIS expects to have all that bandwidth to itself, and for another some plotters/programs may not be able to see DSC messages if they’re in a high speed stream.
Bottom line: installing a GX with normal MFDs, GPSs, etc. is not going to be all that hard, though it does involve connecting 3 data streams (wire pairs). NMEA 2000 could do it all, and better, just plug and play (but then again we are seeing some version one glitches with the N2K AIS messaging on the first devices to support it.)
Saw this great radio at the Seattle Boat Show and talked with the SH reps there. One concern I had was the connection between the mother radio and the RAM mic. I presently have a 7-year old SH radio at the nav station, with the RAM mic remoted at the helm, a very nice way to do it. I was hoping the new RAM mic would be able to re-use the existing cable to the helm. Alas, not so, as the new RAM mic is a digital connection versus the analog mic connection I now have. It won’t be trivial to change out this cable. It’s not technically difficult…just labor-intensive.
Note that the new Simrad NSE also has only a single NMEA 0183 I/O port, and so it too will be tricky to fully integrate with a GX2100. Discussion here:
https://panbo.com/forum/2010/02/going-n2k.html
The statement about needing NMEA 2000 is right on the mark. Also, what’s really needed is a marine VHF dsc, NMEA 2000 (interface to Chartploter), with a build in AIS B transponder and around $1K. Sure you can do it now if you want to hookup a bunch of modules from AIS transpnder, SH GX2100 radio to my garmin 4208 GPS with a NMEA 0183. This type of install is painful. I am going to hold on to my $1K till Garmin, Standard Horizon, or ICon get their acts together.
Hello,
If you want DSC VHF AIS receive, with NMEA2000, then Garmin has it now. The VHF 300 AIS does all that:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=250&pID=28725
Personally, for about $1000 less, I will take the Standard Horizon and connect a few wires (nmea 0183). While my chartplotter (Lowrance LMS 337 CDF) does accept NMEA 2000, it won’t display the AIS data. I don’t feel like paying close to $1000 to upgrade the chartplotter, so I will try the remote mic to display the AIS info, the main radio will be mounted below.
Barry
The issue of integrating the GX2100 with chart plotters with a single NMEA 0183 input port can be resolved by using a Brookhouse multiplexer with baudrate conversion. This solution is now recommended by Standard Horizon support.
Note that the single NMEA 0183 port is a limitation of the chart plotter. In many cases the multiplexer is therefore required anyway. By installing a multiplexer, integration of other NMEA 0183 equipment such as a fast heading sensor, auto pilot etc., is made possible at the same time.
As an example, a diagram for GX2100 connection to Lowrance HD chart plotters can be found here:
Matrix GX2100 to Lowrance HD
Wout
Wout Beekhuizen, I have to disagree that the limitation is with the chartplotter. In what other area does one connect 2 pieces of equipment together and require 2 talk paths?
The problem is that standard has ais running at 38400 (as required by the coast guard) and the rest at 9600. Why not run it all at 38,400 and then you would not need a mux or a second nmea connection? TO me this is piss poor design. For the cost of the radio, mux and hassle of wiring a second talk path I could have gotten an ais receiver. At a minimum, SH sould be clear about the problem in thier literature which they are not.
Anon, many MFDs have multiple NMEA 0183 ports, sometimes 4 of each. AIS uses what was the unusual 0183 HS spec of 38,400 because it needs the bandwidth. There are lots and lots of devices, and ports, out there running at 0183’s standard 4800 baud. Also, be aware that you can’t stack multiple 0183 outputs on the same input port regardless of speed.
Doesn’t ICOM make a combined unit which they market in Europe, but not in the U.S.?
I’m not sure it has a screen target display integrated.
Would SH GX2100 problems be solved if connected to two Lowrance HDS units so one input can be set to 4800 and the other to 38400 and so no muliplexer is required ?
I am totally new to wire connections between devices but I have bought a Garmin GPSMAP 640 and I will buy the Matrix 2100 with the idea of connecting the AIS output from the Matrix to my 640 chartplotter.
The base of the Garmin 640 has all these minute colored wires for the different functions. I envision connecting and running a NMEA 0183 wire from the Garmin GPSMAP 640 to the Matrix 2100. Would the Matrix have a similar set of wires coming out from the back or there is a way to insert the proper color wires into a receptacle in the back of the matrix 2100? Do I have to weld all these little connections? Sorry friends, I am clueless on how I would have to go about it and the manual I found online for the 2100 does not help me. I would very much appreciate your help.
Yes, the Matrix 2100 has similar thin NMEA 0183 wires, and you need to find a way to marry the right wire ends between the two. There are lots of ways to to it, none perfect (in my estimation). Pretty good discussion here:
http://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-electronics-q-boe-marine/206411-nmea0183-interfacing-how-guide.html
For a compact and long lasting boat install, you probably should use heat shrink Ancor butt connectors like these:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=706&familyName=Ancor+Adhesive+Lined+Heat+Shrink+AWG+Butt+Connectors
BUT not until you’ve done temporary connections to be sure you have the wire pairs correct.
Can someone from Standard Horizon say when this product will be available in the UK?
Thanks
Nick
Can’t you just order from Defender (or similar)? Probably cheaper too. That’s how I got this radio to Australia. The local suspects had no idea about this model. Even if they did, they’re dodgy bastards and would add on some crazy Aussie mark-up (it’s what they do here).
Can anyone else who owns a GX2100 report in on their experience regarding the unit’s ability to pick up other vessel’s static data (Class A or B)?
I’m finding that compared to my Furuno FA150, the GX2100 does a pretty rotten job of extracting vessel names from the AIS signal, leaving me with just a long list of MMSIs interspersed with one or two names. Meanwhile the FA150 is showing perhaps two dozen vessel names — virtually all of the Class As — and a few Class B MMSIs.
The VHF antenna connected to the GX2100 is the same model as the dedicated antenna connected to the FA150.
Does this sound consistent with what you other owners are seeing?
Thanks!
/afb
I have a GX2100 AIS outputting to a Furuno NavNet 3D system. I find that when I put the cursor on the AIS targets on my charts, the pop up window for Class A equipped vessels normally shows a full data set including vessel name, destination, and the various static fields such as length, etc. Only the Class B vessels normally show with only MMSI.
Perhaps you are referring to the list of targets that you can call up on the GX2100 internal display? I don’t use that very often but as I recall, it does seem to show primarily MMSI only and few or no vessel names. But as noted, the full vessel data is being transmitted by the GX2100 to my Furuno display over its NMEA 0183 output.
Quitsa:
Yes, thank you for the clarifying question. I am referring to the display on the GX2100 itself.
I don’t understand why the GX2100 would put AIS data out via the NMEA cable that it would not show on its own screen. Also, I tried it today and I can see all kinds of dynamic data (heading, COG, SOG, etc.); why would name be the only thing missing, and only some times?
Very odd.
/afb
I have one installed on my boat. I see names and MMSI #’s about 80 percent of the time the other 20 just MMSI numbers. The AIS data displayed on my Garmin 740 shows is about the same ratio as the radio.
As to wiring the NMEA 0183 I use a small nylon buss bar you can buy at Radio Shack for under $4.00. Here’s a couple of pictures of my install. I install electronics on the side and use this buss bar all the time. Never had a NMEA 0183 failure.
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Garmin%20740%20and%20SH%20GX2100%20Install/3-1.jpg?t=1277603007
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Garmin%20740%20and%20SH%20GX2100%20Install/5-1.jpg?t=1277603615
Tom
If you sign up on SH’s Owner’s site – one can gain access to a bunch of interfacing instructions:
Wiring to Garmin 4000 & 5000 ( 236.55 KB )
Wiring Garmin 3000 Series ( 246.83 KB )
Wiring to Nortstar NSE ( 293.18 KB )
Wiring to Nortstar NSE ( 293.18 KB )
Wiring CP300 & CP500 to GX2100 ( 348.17 KB )
Wiring Raymarine C & E Series ( 69.80 KB )
Wiring Lowrance HDS5 & 7 ( 69.41 KB )
Wiring Raymarine C & E Classic Series ( 72.37 KB )
Wiring Garmin GPSMap 298 ( 70.21 KB )
Wiring Standard Horizon CPF180i ( 72.12 KB )
Wiring Raymarine C & E Classic Series ( 73.02 KB )
Wiring Garmin GPSMap 298 ( 70.79 KB )
Wiring Lowrance HDS5 & 7 ( 69.41 KB )
Wiring GPS Smart Antenna to Matrix AIS GX2100 ( 270.24 KB )
Wiring Raymarine C Wide Series ( 267.06 KB )
Standard Horizon Chart plotter to Matrix AIS ( 237.83 KB )
Wiring to Furuno NN3D ( 174.30 KB )
Wiring to Furuno NNVX2 10 inch ( 185.53 KB )
Wiring to Furuno NNVX2 7 inch ( 889.51 KB )
Wiring to Garmin 400 & 500 ( 140.64 KB )
Wiring to Garmin 4000 & 5000 ( 233.42 KB )
Wiring to Lowrance HDS5 & 7 ( 69.41 KB )
Wiring to Lowrance HDS8 & 10 ( 78.84 KB )
Wiring to Raymarine C & E Series ( 217.31 KB )
GX2000_GX2100_Owner’s Manual r1 ( 6.77 MB )
Wiring Garmin 3000 Series ( 246.83 KB )
Wiring Garmin 4000 & 5000 ( 236.49 KB )
Wiring Garmin 3000 Series ( 372.24 KB )
I have the same results. Very few names displayed, mostly MMSIs.
There are confusing color coding on GX2100 and 300i plotter even if they are made by the same company!!.
Could you tell me which color cable I should connect with which if I want AIS info displayed on the 300i plotter?
Thanks
Marek
I’ve tried connecting the GX2100 to a Garmin GPSMap 478. The GPS is sending the coordinates, but when I do a DSC call, the information is not being passed from the radio to the GPS.
I have the GX2100
Gray wire: NMEA 0183 (4800 bps for DSC data) Output
Connected to the Garmin’s:
Yellow wire: NMEA port 1 in.
I am not using the AIS wire since the GPS doesn’t support 34.8K baud. The Garmin is configured for NMEA IN/OUT 4800 baud.
Has anyone else gotten the DSC information out of the radio through the NMEA output connection?
Thanks
Andrew
Well I finally got it working, so a couple of points:
1. The NMEA ground wire is important to connect(duh, I forgot to connect it originally)
2. Routine calls didn’t seem to update the Garmin, but Position Requests did.
Works fine now.
Andrew
I also just got a GX2100 running. I was pleased to find that it is content with the (limited) GPS info coming from a Simrad AT15 translator plugged into a NMEA 2000 network. Overall, I’m finding it an impressive device, especially in terms of value. But I am seeing a glitch whereby the names of Class B vessels get scrambled. They’ll often look OK when they first display, but then go wacky. Standard says they’re not familiar this problem. Has anyone else seen it?
From all the reading I could not find a answer to my question. I have a Lowrance HDS10 whats required to use it in conjuntion with the Standard Horizon GX2100. Is everthing there to plus and play?
Hi Randy, Unfortunately there’s no such thing as plug and play with NMEA 0183. However wiring the GX2100 to the two 0183 ports on an HDS10 is pretty straightforward. Standard has a diagram for how to do it that you can download from this page:
http://www.standardhorizon.com/?cmd=showMarineManuals&DivisionID=3
Tom,
Saw your photos, nice work. I am looking for some one to install a gx2100 for me. Where are you located?
Don
Don,
I’m in eastern NC.
Since getting the GX2100S we have experienced an unusual squelch issue here in Mexico. Otherwise the radio works well and shows AIS targets in Fugawi ENC just fine.
Where our previous GX1500S would just let adjacent channels from other stations break squelch and bleed normally (and annoyingly), the GX2100S breaks squelch on what seems like a timed interrupt of about one second.
Turning up the squelch helps but if a station is strong (overly perhaps) we hear constant squelch breaks at one second intervals as long as the offending station is transmitting even with the squelch at maximum.
For example, we monitor the local net on Ch 22. Recently we’ve been getting these squelch breaks when a Mexican freighter or port control (not sure who) is using Ch 80. It’s obvious who’s doing it after spinning the channel dial to find who’s transmitting. It’s also often other local yachts on Ch 21 or Ch 23.
Standard Horizon Service in SoCal has been great trying to diagnose and service the radio (main board changed last time in). But they say of all the hundreds sold no one has complained about this. It seems hard to believe I have the only radio that does this.
I suspect it’s a design issue. Since the GX1500S didn’t do this and nothing has changed on the boat I wonder if the AIS antenna mux affects how the squelch works in the presence of strong adjacent channel noise.
Anyone else experiencing these symptoms or have inputs or advice?
Pelagic …..
I seen the same thing in regards to squelch breaks. It is intermittent and seems to be associated with location, in particular, around ports. Offshore the problem seldom materializes. I have two VHF’s on my Whaler the other is an ICOM 504 both are connected to Digital 529 8′ antennas. The ICOM doesn’t display the squelch issue associated with the SH GX2100. I’ve used my SH over the last two years and it’s never missed a beat. I pick up AIS targets around 12 -14 miles offshore. I’ve been very happy with the SH.
Here is a video of a DSC test I conducted using my SH. The SH is connected to a Garmin 740 MFD.
http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/4996928_5816917
I wonder if a VHF/ AIS combo like the Matrix could send Class “B-” AIS messages using the existing voice transmitter – when not used for transmitting voice as true most of the time.
We have the GX2100 Matrix radio with AIS input. Problem is we are on our third Garmin GPS. Currently, the 19X NMEA 0183 GPS. I have in my files no less tan 14 different wiring diagrams from Garmin and Standard Horizon tech supports. None of them provide a GPS signal to input. I’m pretty handy and can easily identify the color of a wire casing and understand most of what I read in all the manuals.
But I can not get this pair matched though both companies assured me this was the Dedicated stand alone GPS needed to succeed. both companies have provided different wiring instructions, result – Zilch GPS input. I have also spent some boat bucks on two Techs who can’t get the signal input. I’m now convinced that there are no wiring instructions the can work and both companies are making false advertising claims and the NMEA compatibility is a myth. I would ask for help but I believe we’ve tried nearly every conceivable option for four wires. This makes me also think that sites like this are only mouthpieces for these two electronic manufacturers. I’ve exhausted every avenue I can think of and although not your fault I’m just plain fed up.
Rudolph, while I sympathize with your frustration, I think your statement:
“This makes me also think that sites like this are only mouthpieces for these two electronic manufacturers. I’ve exhausted every avenue I can think of and although not your fault I’m just plain fed up.”
is a bit unfair to Ben and other contributors.
I’ve learned a lot from this site, and personally have a GX-2100 working fine with GPS data coming over from my N2K network via an Actisense unit.
Hi Rudolph,
You are not the first person who’s been driven to irrational rage by the difficulties of NMEA 0183. Let’s try to think this out.
1. Have you checked the wire colors with a magnifying glass? I know the Garmin 19x has very thin white, white/red, and white/orange wires which can be confusing.
2. Have you verified that the 19x is actually putting out GPS messages? Power it up, give it a good sky view, and see if there is a slight DC voltage pulse across the gray wire that provides TX A(+) and the white/red wire that provides TX B(-). (Note that I’ve only seen a tech do this; I’d use a known NMEA 0183 receiver).
3. If you’re confident that the GPS is outputting properly and the two wires to the GX2100 are proper (it only takes 2 for GPS) and it still doesn’t work, then obviously that indicates a problem with the radio. That could verified by trying to input another known 0183 GPS source.
The bottom line, Rudolph, is that it would be crazy for SH and/or Garmin to tell you that this will work when it won’t. You can be as skeptical as you want but this would be a stupid business practice and they’re not stupid.
Hi Rudolph,
I’ve connected the GX2100 to both a Garmin 476 and a Raymarine C120 and yes NMEA 0183 is a real pain.
The GX2100 does have it’s limits. For example I can only get DSC messages from the GX2100 to my Garmin. I have AIS messages to my Raymarine working. With NMEA 0183 I find 3 types of problems:
1. Wiring. Garmin and Standard Horizon meant different things by what is + and what is – NMEA
2. Baud Rates. My Garmin only supports 4800 baud which means I can’t connect my Garmin to the GX2100 AIS output which is 38400 baud. I could connect it to the GX2100 normal 4800 baud NMEA 0183 output and could receive DSC messages on my Garmin
3. Interface Modes. My Garmin supports 2 interface modes – NMEA 0183 and a Garmin native to upload patches and etc. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled my hair out on my Garmin not working only to find I have the wrong interface mode set for the wires.
Hopes this helps. If you know problems 2 and 3 are set correctly, don’t be afraid to reverse the NMEA 0183 wires. That’s worked for me, but there was not interface diagram for my Garmin. The Raymarine wiring worked as advertised.
Good Luck
Andrew
Rudolph,
Please let me know if you have tried the following:
Standard Horizon GX2100 Matrix AIS to Garmin GPS 19X
SH Blue NMEA IN+ to Garmin Gray TX+ (NMEA OUT+)
SH Green NMEA – (ground) to Garmin White/Red TX- (NMEA OUT-)
Garmin RED 12V + to battery positive (on/off switch is recommended)
Garmin Black 12V – to battery ground
Garmin *Orange (Accessory-On) to ground and resistor
*Garmin Orange (Accessory-On)
If you are connecting the antenna to a device that does not have an accessory signal wire, the orange wire from the antenna should be connected to ground.
By default the GPS 19x is outputting NMEA at 38400 bps. The Garmin manual states to install the included resistor cable to limit the output to 4800 bps. Solder the included rate change cable (resistor) in line with the orange accessory-ON wire.
If you are still having issues please contact me at Standard Horizon. 800-366-8431
Jason
I’m new here – be gentle…I’m trying to readdress an old problem with my SH GX2000 vhf radio, a Brookhouse multiplexor and my Raymarine C80 plotter. I can get the radio to display GPS, the radio displays AIS properly, but I can’t get the chart plotter to display AIS info. I’ve gone to Brookhouse several years ago and they told me to put a resister in the multiplexor. – don’t remember the details right now. Anybody else have a similar setup with some tips? Has technology made the multiplexor obsolete? (nmea 0183 is sooooo obsolete I know)