I give up - my Raystar 125 is invisible

[Atalla]

I have an older Northstar VHF on a ST terminal block along with my Raystar 125. The VHF is not seeing the GPS. Further, the VHF and GPS are on a ST backbone that is bridged to my STng network but my Axiom can't see the GPS either (nor does the VHF see the GPS in the Axiom). I've confirmed the wiring to the terminal block is correct for both the VHF and the Raystar (have read both installation manuals). I've put a new CR2032 into the Raystar and I'm getting a green flashing light which would suggest a functioning antenna with a lock. I know the ST and STng networks are talking as I have a course computer on the ST network that is talking to my Axiom. I cannot figure out why my VHF can't see either the Raystar GPS or the Axiom GPS.

 

[Henry Boyd]

The Axiom has a software switch to determine which gps to use (internal vs external A vs external B etc.), as or the other stuff

 

[Atalla]

The Axiom has a software switch to determine which gps to use (internal vs external A vs external B etc.), as or the other stuff

Yup. Thanks. The Raystar 125 is not detected. The Axiom only sees itself.

 

[dtfeld]

Did the RS125 ever work? Is it connected to an RNS300 (GPS)? Is the ST network powered correctly (single source)? How about continuity between network nodes (broken/corroded wires)?

 

[ocgrant]

the 125 is not compatable with the Axiom as I remember has to be the 130 or 150. So i am guessing that is why the on the Sea Talk network it will not send GPS to the VHF. Call Raymarine support I am sure they can find you a solution if you just want to us the GPS in the Axiom there is a way to get it out and to the VHF with a Nema 0183 seatalk comverter I am pretty sure.

 

[Atalla]

the 125 is not compatable with the Axiom as I remember has to be the 130 or 150. So i am guessing that is why the on the Sea Talk network it will not send GPS to the VHF. Call Raymarine support I am sure they can find you a solution if you just want to us the GPS in the Axiom there is a way to get it out and to the VHF with a Nema 0183 seatalk comverter I am pretty sure.

View attachment 96742

Thanks. But this doesn’t explain why the vhf doesn’t see it. That’s the bigger issue.

 

[alnav]

From your description, I think you are saying that the VHF's only connection is SeaTalk? Is a Northstar VHF even capable of reading ST? Typically, a 3rd party device needs to be connected via NMEA 0183, so if yours isn't that may be the issue. As mentioned, there are ST to NMEA converters available to accomplish this. Assuming Axiom has an 0183 input (I don't know), this would also allow the Axiom to see your GPS.
My OEM Raymarine installation had a RM-branded converter in the circuit to provide NMEA 0183 both to my Northstar VHF and Smartcraft:

 

[Atalla]

From your description, I think you are saying that the VHF's only connection is SeaTalk? Is a Northstar VHF even capable of reading ST? Typically, a 3rd party device needs to be connected via NMEA 0183, so if yours isn't that may be the issue. As mentioned, there are ST to NMEA converters available to accomplish this. Assuming Axiom has an 0183 input (I don't know), this would also allow the Axiom to see your GPS.
My OEM Raymarine installation had a RM-branded converter in the circuit to provide NMEA 0183 both to my Northstar VHF and Smartcraft:
View attachment 96748 View attachment 96749

You totally triggered the right thing. When checking the wiring configuration of the Raystar, I confirmed it was wired for ST vs NMEA0183 (it can do both - just different wire config on the backbone). I did this because the ports on the bottom of the VHF black box read STN1 and STN2. I couldn’t totally follow the cabling to the terminal block but I just assumed facts not in evidence. Now I realize that STN1 is “Station 1” vs Seatalk Network which is what I had assumed and that is out to my handheld while power nmea is going out to the terminal block.

So I think the raystar has to be reworked to the terminal block in 0183 configuration. My course computer is on this block too but I should be able to switch it to NMEA as well since it’s speaks both ST and NMEA.

Whatever the case, you nailed it. My vhf is talking nmea and the raystar is wired for seatalk.

I’ll get on it after Christmas.