FA-50 NMEA 0183 output

[Jacob_DK]

I have an old FA-50 that I want to connect to ny Seatalk NG backbone. I have all I need but the info on which wires in the main cable from the FA-50 are the NMEA0183 output and which wire is GND and which is DATA ?

Help will be much appreciated!

Jacob

 

[YachtyBoy]

Hello Jacob,

To transmit NMEA0183 data from the FA50 main cable, you would use the white and blue. White being positive and blue being negative.

Thank you,
YachtyBoy

 

[Jacob_DK]

Hi YachtBoy,

Thanks for your reply ! That just confirmed what I was thinking.

I have another problem : The transponder only transmits but does not receive any data ?! I have run the Transponder test embedded in the AIS and all reports are OK. Do I need to do master reset ? If so, where and how do I do that ?

 

[Jacob_DK]

Just one more and probably stupid question : does the AIS also have a receive "channel" ? If so, which wires should I use for that ?
I'm not sure if the NMEA0183 is bidirectional ?!

 

[Johnny Electron]

0183 wires has transmit wires and receive wires. Normally you would no need to send any 0183 data to the FA50. What 0183 data are you trying to have the FA50 receive?

 

[Jacob_DK]

I am not trying to send data to the FA50. I just want to make sure all is connected correctly.

All I need is to receive GPS and AIS data.

 

[Johnny Electron]

I don't recommend the FA50 as an GPS source but it should receive good targets if connected to a good AIS whip. (Note VHF whips should not be used for AIS. The Whip needs to be rated for AIS or both AIS/VHF to be used) I never recommend sharing a VHF whip with the AIS as someone will lose and the external splitters are typically high failure rate items.

 

[Jacob_DK]

Ok... I will keep that in mind. I will see what AIS antenna I can find.

Thanks for the good advice !

 

[Jacob_DK]

One more thing : what is the GPS connector type on the FA-50 ? An N connector does not fit...

 

[Johnny Electron]

TNC type connector is used.

 

[Jacob_DK]

Thanks!

Another thing : what is the normal behaviour of the TX LED ? Mine blinks with a constant frequency but I cannot detect the ID in my vessel finder app?!

The RX LED blinks randomly, so I am not concerned with that.

 

[Johnny Electron]

RX sounds normal. TX is not. TX should flash once (BLUE) about every 3 mins when sitting still as it transmits. If flashing yellow constantly then you have a problem where either the connected coax GPS antenna is bad or the unit has been put into silent mode.

 

[Jacob_DK]

Thanks for your er reply!

I read about this in another post and as I understood it, the FA-50 requires both antennas to be properly connected to operate. Is that correct ?

When I run the two embedded tests, the TX reports OK but the RX reports that the GPS antenna is not ok, which was correct, as the GPS antenna was not connected properly.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Yes the GPS directly connected, working, with clear view of the sky is required. Whip (rated for AIS) antenna is needed to send and receive and transmit AIS. Sounds like you got it figured out. Kudos