CONTINUOUSWAVE

Hello all (more specifically, Jim...),
After installing my new Link8 and connecting it to my Garmin 545S, the VHF was not getting a GPS signal from the plotter. It displayed a "Enter GPS Position" message. I made the following connections:

Link8--------------------------Garmin
GPS
Green---------------------Brown (NMEA0183 port 1 Rx (in))
Yellow--------------------Blue (NMEA0183 port 1 Tx (out))
AIS
Black----------------------Grey (NMEA0183 port 2 Tx (out))
White----------------------Violet (NMEA0183 port 2 Rx (in))

I've read your (Jim's) write-up on the Link8 wiring but cannot seem to figure out what I am doing wrong. My previous radio had DSC and was functional connected to the Garmin blue and brown wires. I did try to swap them with no luck. Also looked at the settings on both units and confirmed that regular NMEA (not high-speed) is selected.
Can you please help?
Thank you!

Both devices are listed in the NMEA 0183 data collection (above).

Follow the interconnection rules (listed above).

Configure TALKER to send the required data.

Not really sure what you mean Jim. I think I'm even more confused after reading the sticky. Can you please be more specific / descriptive?
Thank you!

I have already described in detail how to accomplish the interconnection. Please re-read carefully the articles.

See STEP1 in http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816#p5295

For your two devices, here are the individual articles that identify the signals

For Lowrance radios see http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816#p5325

For Garmin 500 series chart plotters see http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816#p5307

With identification of the wire color and signal names you have a mapping unique to your equipment. From here, everything else is generic. Follow the interconnection rules. See STEP 2 in this post:

http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816#p5295

Now move to STEP 3, same post

Then move to STEP 4, same post

I don't figure out individual interconnections of random combinations of devices. I have invented a method to interconnect any two devices, and I have translated the signal names of dozens of devices to the proper names and identified them by wire color. Just read, carefully and with a goal of learning, the first article in the NMEA-0183 Interconnection Data Collection Thread. Then read the two articles I link above that have the specific information about your two devices. Then follow the instructions.

You are going to figure out what wire color is the signal TALKER A for the first device. Then you will figure out what wire color is LISTENER A for the second device. Then you connect them together. Then repeat that process for the TALKER B of the first device, the TALKER A of the second device, and the TALKER B of the second device.

Thank you Jim.