GPS question

I have a LCX-16 CI with GPS and a Global Map MT-3000. Is it possible to use 1 antenna for both units, and if so how do you set it up.

Right now I use one on the console and one on the bow.

try looking at the lowrance web site, i think that it has the information on how to do that. if not, e-mail wade at jollyann and he will give you the low down on how to do it…….tom f

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I have a LCX-16 CI with GPS and a Global Map MT-3000. Is it possible to use 1 antenna for both units, and if so how do you set it up.

Right now I use one on the console and one on the bow.

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Yes, you can use one antenna for both units. You will use the NMEA 0183 system to connect the units. If you look at the manual ( LCX-16 manual ) on page 4 it explains how the NMEA system works to communicate from one unit to another. You’ll basically connect the blue wire on unit 1 (the sending unit) to the orange wire on unit 2 (the receiving unit). Also, you need to connect the bare shield wires.

On the sending unit #1, you will need to tell it to communicate:

Press MENU, MENU, and select SYSTEM SETUP and hit ENT
Select COMMUNICATIONS PORT – hit ENT
In the Communications port 2 dialog box set the baud rate to 9600 (default) and check (X) the box to activate NMEA OUTPUT

On the receiving unit #2:

Press MENU, MENU, and select SYSTEM SETUP – hit ENT
Select COMMUNICATIONS PORT – hit ENT
In the Communications port 1 dialog box set the baud rate to 9600 and check (X) the box to activate NMEA INPUT.

If you have any trouble give Lowrance a call and they’ll run you through it.

For anyone running the newer LGC-2000 units, you can do this also. The new units have a NMEA 0183 port as well as the new NMEA 2000 port.

Thanks for the info, I find the wealth of knowledge on this site totally amazing, better than any encyclopedia.

I’ll try hooking this up Monday, let you know how it turns out.

Got home from work today and had to hook things up…works great!!!! No more having to move both antenna, can leave one in the boat !

Thanks again for all the help, you guys know your stuff !

Glad to hear it!

TTT for Mark…

TTT for SunnyD….

Thanks for posting this solution Wade!

Wade/Other inclined people-

I have two GPS enabled Lowrance units: LCX-15cl and LCX-17M. I have one GPS puck that I would like to use for both devices. I have been told by Wade and Lowrance that I can do this but have questions on the following:
Do I need to get a special attachment to connect the GPS cable to both units or do I splice the data line to connect all three cables together? (based on the wording I’ve recieved from Lowrance it appears so, but I imagine I am miss reading this)
What else do I need to buy to make this work?

The other directions sound simple enough I jsut am not sure what I need to complete the network.

here is what lowrance sent me:
You could actually connect the NMEA-0183 communication wires from the LCX-15MT and LCX-17M power cable in order to send the GPS signal from one unit and over to the other unit. On the unit that has the GPS Antenna connected into it, you would take the Yellow wire from that NMEA-0183 harness and connect it to the Orange wire of the unit that is going to receive the GPS signal. Then, connect both bare/silver wires together. You are probably going to have to purchase some additional lengths of 18 AWG Marine Grade wiring in order to connect both wires to each other’s power cable harness. After the wires are connected properly, you then just have to go into both unit’s menu setting and activate to send/receive the GPS Signal.

On the unit that has the GPS antenna connected and is going to send the signal to the other unit, you will power your unit on, then press Menu twice, select System Setup and press ENT. Then, select Communications Port and press ENT, select NMEA-0183 Output and press ENT. Once you have a visible “X” icon in the box next to NMEA-0183 Output then this GPS is set to send the signal to your other unit.

On the other unit, you will power the unit On and go through the same Menu sequence. Once you are in the Communications Port menu, instead of selecting NMEA-0183 Output, you will select NMEA-0183 Input and press ENT until the “X” icon shows up next to NMEA-0183 Input. Once this has been done, both units should now be providing you with a GPS signal.

please help a poor bass fisherman who loves technology!