Eagle CUDA 250 S/Map Operating manual

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Pub. 988-0152-082
Addendum I
Additional Instructions for
Cuda 250 & Cuda 250i S/Map
The Cuda 250 contains a communications port for NMEA 0183 output.
The instructions for connecting data cables and setting up the
communications port appear in this addendum.
NMEA 0183 Data Cable Connections
NMEA is a standard communications format for marine electronic
equipment. The Cuda 250 can send information to any device that
receives NMEA 0183 data.


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This allows the unit to work with VHF marine radios equipped with the
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) distress call feature.
To send NMEA 0183 data, the Cuda 250 has one NMEA 0183 version
2.0 communication port. The com port can be used to send NMEA
formatted data such as your current position.
The provided Cuda 250 data cable plugs into the accessory socket on the
right side of the back of your unit's case. The data cable ends in two wires
that connect to your VHF radio or other NMEA device. The Cuda 250 uses
the yellow wire to transmit and the black shield wire for signal ground.
NOTE:
Some VHF radios, such as the popular Unidenbrand, have input
levels which require use of an additional diode and resistor built into
the Cuda 250 data cable. This is Wiring Diagram A, which is
described on page 2. The majority of the DSC radios will work with the
resistor and diode as provided by Eagle.
A few other radio brands (and other electronic devices) that meet the
NMEA 0183 standard won't need these adapters and you will have to
remove the resistor and diode to make those work. This is Wiring
Diagram B, which is described on page 4.
Consult your other device's owner’s manual, then read through all of
the following instructions before you begin. Use the installation
diagram most suited to your brand of radio or other device. If your
device manual indicates an RS-232 connection (i.e., a computer),
remove the resistor and diode and connect using Wiring Diagram B.
Most other connection types (TTL; NMEA + and NMEA –;
differential) will require Wiring Diagram A.
Recommended Tools and supplies
Recommended tools for this job include: wire pliers or wire stripper and a
wire cutter. Required supplies for this job include: two gray (18 gauge) or
blue (16 gauge) wire nuts and electrical tape. Supplies are not included.

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Wiring Diagram "A"
Begin by stripping the wire ends of the device you're connecting to the Cuda
250. (You'll notice the Cuda 250 data cable comes pre-stripped, with wire
ends exposed.) Use a pair of wire pliers to strip about 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) of
insulation from each of the radio's or other device's data wires.
Strip the ends of the VHF radio's data wires. Connect them to the pre-
stripped wires of the Cuda 250 data cable (shown right).
Twist the exposed wires together as shown in the following figures. If
you're using a Uniden or similar radio, connect the radio's NMEA Wire
to the Cuda 250 data cable's yellow wire, and the radio's Ground/Shield
wire to the Cuda 250 data cable's black shield wire. If you're using
another radio brand or NMEA device, see Wiring Diagram B
instructions on page 4.
Com port wiring to transmit NMEA information
to a Uniden or similar VHF radio or other device.
Ground/Shield or NMEA – To Uniden
radio or other
device
Com port to
Cuda 250
Yellow (Transmit)
NMEA Wire (Receive) or NMEA +
Shield (Ground)

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Twist the appropriate wires together, making sure that the exposed
ends make good contact. Secure the wire ends with wire nuts, then
wrap each wire nut securely with electrical tape to protect against
moisture, as shown in the figure on the right.
After taping the wire ends individually, wrap the entire connection
with electrical tape as shown. This will help protect from moisture and
prevent the wires from breaking contact.
Wiring Diagram "B"
If your VHF radio or other device requires true RS-232, you will need to
remove the diode and resistor built into the end of the Cuda 250 data cable.
You will notice near the end of the cable a segment protected with black
heat-shrink. To connect the Cuda 250 to a true RS-232 radio, first
remove the Uniden adapter segment of the cable as shown in the
following figures.

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For Wiring Diagram B installations, remove the Uniden adapter
segment at the end of your data cable as shown at left. Snip off the end
of the cable protected by the black heat-shrink. At right, we have used
clear heat-shrink for clarity, so you can see the diode and resistor
protected within. Remove this portion of the cable.
After you have removed the adapter segment, use wire pliers to expose
the ends of the five remaining wires in the cable. Cut off the black, blue
and white wires, then seal their ends with electrical tape.
After removing the adapter segment, prepare to connect by removing
and taping off unneeded wires. Strip the end of the yellow wire.
Strip about 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) of insulation from the yellow wire, then
follow the preceding wire nut and taping instructions to connect the
wires from the radio or other device.
Black
Blue
White
Cut black, blue
and white.
Yellow
(tran
s
mit)
Bare wire
(shield)

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If you are using a true RS-232 radio or other device, connect its (+)
Receive wire to the Cuda 250 data cable's yellow wire and its ground or
(–) Receive wire to the Cuda 250 data cable's bare shield wire.
Com port wiring to transmit NMEA information
to another standard NMEA-compatible device.
When the data cable is connected to your VHF radio, all you have to do
is plug it into the sonar/GPS unit. Attach the data cable's plug to the
accessory socket on the right side of the back of your unit's case.
Communications Port Activation
Now that you have your devices connected, here's how to make them
communicate. This unit can connect to either an accessory such as a
speed or temperature sensor or a NMEA 0183 data cable. In order to use
the Communications Port for NMEA data, you first need to activate
NMEA 0183 Output.
Press MENU|MENU|↓to ENABLE NMEA 183 OUTPUT|ENT| ←to YES|ENT.
Enable NMEA command on the unit's Main Menu
(–) Receive or ground To another
NMEA device
Com port to
Cuda 250
Yellow (Transmit) (+) Receive or Receive
Shield (Ground)

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Communications Port Configuration
Once NMEA 0183 Output has been enabled from the Main Menu, the
Com Port command appears in the System Setup Menu. It allows you
to configure the communications port.
Menus for changing Com Port settings.
If you need additional assistance in configuring the unit to communicate
with another device, consult the factory. Customer service phone
numbers are in the back of the unit's manual. To set Com Port
Configuration:
1. Press MENU|MENU|↓to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT.
2. Press ↓to COM PORT|ENT.
A menu appears with a drop-down Baud Rate selection box highlighted.
The menu also contains an on/off checkbox to activate NMEA Input,
NMEA Output, NMEA GPS Input and a button that allows you to
Configure NMEA.
To set Baud Rate:
With the Baud Rate box selected (the title bar should be highlighted in
black, as in the middle figure above), press ENT. A drop-down list
appears, showing available baud rates. Select the one that matches the
baud rate on your VHF radio and press ENT.

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To activate NMEA Output:
From the Communication Ports menu, press ↓to highlight NMEA
Input. Press ENT to turn on (check) or turn off (uncheck) the NMEA
Input checkbox.
To activate NMEA Output:
From the Communication Ports menu, press ↓to highlight NMEA
Output. Press ENT to turn on (check) or turn off (uncheck) the NMEA
Output checkbox.
To activate NMEA GPS Input:
From the Communication Ports menu, press ↓to highlight NMEA GPS
Input. Press ENT to turn on (check) or turn off (uncheck) the NMEA
GPS Input checkbox.
To return to the main page display, press EXIT repeatedly.
Configure NMEA
You can configure the unit to use specific NMEA sentences. (The
default setting has all NMEA sentences turned on.) From the
Communication Ports menu, press ↓to CONFIGURE NMEA|ENT.
NMEA Sentences selection menu.
A menu appears showing the prefixes of the available NMEA sentences.
A "X" in the checkbox next to a prefix means the prefix is turned on.

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Use ↑↓→←to highlight a prefix, then press ENT to turn it on (check)
or turn it off (uncheck).
NOTE:
The names of the NMEA sentences are abbreviated in this menu.
These are the functions of the various selectable prefixes:
•GLL transmits latitude and longitude of present position, time of
position fix, and status.
•GGA transmits time, position and fix related data.
•APB transmits autopilot information.
•RMC and RMB transmits navigation information messages.
•GSA and GSV transmits fix mode, DOP values and satellites in
view information.
•DBT transmits the depth below the transducer.
•DPT transmits the depth
•MTW transmits the water temperature.
4. When the desired prefixes are checked or unchecked, press EXIT
repeatedly to return to the main page display.
Compatibility with Various VHF Radios
The Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature in marine radios is
relatively new technology. The U.S. Coast Guard implemented its first
DSC-capable systems in Atlantic City, N.J. and Chincoteague, VA in
September, 2003. The entire U.S. DSC rescue system will not be
operational until Sept. 30, 2006.
As more marine electronics manufacturers enter this growing market, other
connectivity issues with your unit may appear. You can check for known
compatibility issues by visiting our web site, www.eaglesonar.com. Look
in the Manuals section for updated documents for your sonar/GPS unit.

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Notes

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Notes

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This addendum is for the Cuda 250 S/Map manual, part 988-0152-0101.
Pub. 988-0152-082 © Copyright 2005
All Rights Reserved
Printed in USA 113005 LEI-Eagle, Inc.