Interfacing Garmin GPS to ID-800H

[N6CY]

Need help with confirming connections between GPS and the 8-pin mini DIN on the ID-800H. I'm building my own cable between the two. If someone has a pinout/schematic of an OPC-1384 I'd appreciate it.

My Garmin GPS12 has NMEA output via a "data" pin and a "ground" pin. I'm pretty sure this is RS232 compatible.

The data socket on the rear panel of the ID-800H (page 6 of the manual) shows pin 2 as the connection for GND. Pin 7 (at least by the labeling "RS232 IN") seems to be the correct connection for data from the GPS to the radio. However pin 4 ("RS232 OUT") also has the additional text "GPS operation." So I'm confused.

Does anyone in this forum have a more clear description of the correct connections?

And once the connections are made, my settings are:
GPS ON
RMC ON
[at this point, why does MY POS have to be set...shouldn't this data come from the GPS?]
GTX 3 (minutes)

And now that this is done, what are some ways of checking/confirming that the radio is (1) receiving good GPS sentences from the GPS receiver, and (2) transmitting the GPS info on the air?

TIA
73 Rick N6CY

[Pete AE5PL]

I can't help with the Garmin pins.  However, use the settings found at http://www.aprs-is.net/dprs.aspx (you will need to calculate your C1 message on the dprscalc.aspx page, too).

The manual is a bit misleading.  You do not (cannot) set My Position.  You are checking to see that you are receiving lat/lon from the GPS.

Also, the pins are a bit counter-intuitive.  RS232 IN means into the attached device and RS232 OUT (GPS) is output from the attached device.  It has been a while since I have made a cable for the 800 but that is my recollection.

Hope this helps.

73,

Pete AE5PL

[N6CY]

Thank you, Pete. Yes, I was (am) having difficulty understanding the pinout nomenclature. You've cleared it up. I'll wire the GPS NMEA output to the "RS232 OUT" connection at the radio. I'm sure that's where my problem lies. 73 Rick N6CY