New hardware, new problems.
Bought the HDS-5m last year - no problems except with the Lowrance charts. No biggie, different thread.
This year added a new VHF. Replaced a 30 yr old fixed unit with a new Standard Horizon GX1600 with the remote mic. Connected HDS and GX1600 with a 4 conductor cable for NMEA 0183, and all was good - VHF accepted GPS position from the plotter.
During two sails so far this year, the plotter freezes. No change in position, speed, or heading. Power off/on, and it's good for perhaps another 10 minutes before it freezes again. It gives no indication that it's frozen - just that speed, position, and heading don't change.
Called Lowrance this morning, and the rep suggested a 'Reset' - basically by holding the 'Pages' button during power up. Seemed to fix the problem - still tracking after 30 minutes. Then I noticed that the VHF had no GPS input. Turns out the reset had shut off the 0183 output. Restored the 0183 output, and the plotter soon froze up again.
Intend to run some more tests tomorrow. 0183 output on but VHF off - see what happens. Should be about the same as 0183 output on but 0183 cable disconnected. See what happens and see what the Lowrance rep suggests next.
So, two questions for the BB:
1) Anyone else with similar problems?
2) Why do I need VHF output feeding to the chartplotter - perhaps two wires too many?