3.7.2
Connect the optional NMEA compass for an 8000i
The NMEA compass may be directly connected to the radar processor through the NMEA/COMMS
port.
Compass data is appended to the radar data by the radar processor and then broadcast over the
network to the 8000i display and other devices. This enables more precise radar chart overlay and
target tracking (MARPA) than is possible by compass connection to other points in the network.
The NMEA compass cable is not supplied but the pinout of the NMEA/COMMS port is shown for
information:
Pin
Function
3 NMEA
Tx+
data
4 NMEA
Ground
5 NMEA
Rx-
data
6 NMEA
Rx+
data
9 Shield
11
12 V Compass power (100 mA max)
It is recommended that a single compass data source is used for the 8000i network. To achieve this,
the NMEA compass data must be fed to other devices on the 8000i network using the spare data
channels from the compass (if available) or the NMEA data splitter. See the "Northstar 8000i System
Setup Manual" for more information.
3.2.7.1
Configure the optional NMEA compass
The compass must be NMEA compliant and configured as follows:
10 Hz update rate
4800 baud
The compass must be able to supply the NMEA 0183 HDT, HDM, and HTG heading sentences (all
other sentence types will be ignored).
Ideally, the compass should draw less than 100 mA. (If this is not possible, power the compass using a
separate 12 V source.)
3.8
Connect the power cable
The power cable to the radar processor is NOT supplied for either the 6000i or 6100i system or the
8000i system. Power must be supplied through a fuse/breaker element located at the power source
end of the power cable.
Check the system specifications section for the recommended DC input voltage.
The power cable and fuse requirements are shown in the table.
Scanner
Fuse/Circuit breaker
rating
Maximum length of
power cable
Power cable size
2 kW
5 A
33 ft (10 m)
14 AWG
4 kW
10 A
26 ft (8 m)
14 AWG
6 kW
10 A
26 ft (8 m)
14 AWG
10 kW
15 A
26 ft (8 m)
12 AWG
25 kW
15 A
26 ft (8 m)
12 AWG
Typically the fuse /breaker would be located in a fuse/breaker box with the fuses/breakers for other
devices.
The radar processor must have it's own exclusive fuse/circuit breaker. The fuse/circuit breaker should
be labeled appropriately.
To connect the power cable to the radar processor, you must:
28
Northstar 6 kW Radar Installation Manual
