Add NMEA over WiFi

[lpvanam]

I currently have a Raymarine C80 with the analog radar and GPS installed. I would like to add NMEA over WiFi, but don't want to have to replace the whole system just so I can interface with a variety of apps on my iPad that can take NMEA data over WiFi and use them to provide remote charting (Navionics App) and an AIS app that can take the lat and long input.

Has anyone else done this? Any reccommenations without replacing the whole Raymarine system with a new digital system? Thank you

 

[alnav]

You will need a "multiplexer" which is a box that interfaces with your existing NMEA data stream and converts to internet protocol data. I use a multiplexer that converts NMEA to ethernet, then run that to a wireless router that handles my wifi network, but that may be overkill for what you want to do. There are multiplexers that do both the conversion and act as a wireless access point and that's the simplest solution. Manufacturers of these devices that I know about include Brookhouse, Digital Yacht and Shipmodul (who made my multiplexer). Google "NMEA WIFI Multiplexer" and you will get all of these and probably more. I believe Jim at BOE Marine (this site's sponsor) sells at least one if not more of these devices.

Unless it's been improved, I don't think that the Navionics app can interface with anything but the custom wifi interface only available on the newest Raymarine plotters. I use the iNavX that will interface with several protocols, supports AIS and also allows for using free NOAA charting. There are a couple other apps out there which are capable as well.