The integration radio-to-radio is automatic. The integration with a chartplotter, computer, etc requires a connection to the data network.

It is A NMEA0183 connection or to N2K through a converter (why, oh why can't everyone get on board with N2K?). If it isn't networked, then only the lat/long is saved in the radio itself. Networking to the chartplotter is good for the DSC emergency function because it gives a graphic GOTO waypoint when an emergency call is made.

The radios have a feature called "position polling". This is the function used to either send or request the position of a radio (which usually corresponds to the object or person on which you want position information). This works for any brand of radio with position polling - not just Standard Horizon.

So if Michele wants to know where I am in the dinghy, she selects the dinghy radio from the phonebook and presses "request position" (or something to those words) and the dinghy radio sends her its position, which then is automatically stored in the radio and displayed on the chartplotter (or computer or whatever - it shows up on our radar if that is turned on).

Conversely, if I find a good fishing spot I want to have saved back on the boat, or am in the dinghy scouting a channel for the big boat, I simply select the boat radio from the phonebook and press "send position" and the radio sends its position, which is stored and displayed accordingly. Granted, I could set a mark on the HH GPS itself, but then I have to transfer that manually to the charts when I get back, and this doesn't allow us to bring the big boat through a pass in real time.

We love this feature.

Mark