Current Projects :

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!!! The SeaTalk-NMEA-Bridge pages have moved to a more modern system!!!
!!! with discussion forum, webshop and much more. !!!
!!! Please see the new gadgetPool pages on !!!

Goto the new webpages
where you can find all the latest news about

NEW SeaTalk NMEA Bridge

NEW SeaTalk NMEA Bridge & repeater. The latest version of the bridge with USB, Keyboard & Display and remote control for autopilot.


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!!! This page here will not be updated with news, changes and new developments any more.!!!
I'll keep the old pages here, so that you can still read them.

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• Bidirectional SeaTalk <-> NMEA Bridge
  Different PCB Versions :
  - - -
  The SeaTalk <-> NMEA Bridge / Repeater is a single chip computer, that translates information between SeaTalk and NMEA.
  It can read & write NMEA and read & write SeaTalk data.
  For more details see -Users Manual- ( 2.3 MB)
  
  The repeater has 1 SeaTalk bus connector and 1 serial port for NMEA or PC connection
  
  • ATmega32 Processor
  • 1 * SeaTalk Port ( read & write SeaTalk )
  • 1 * NMEA Port ( RS232 & RS422 )
  • On board volatage regulator
  • LCD display connector
  • Boot loader (to update to new Software Versions)
  • .....
  
  
  Two examples on how I used the bridge on my boat.
  
  Status:
  PCB is ready.
  Software is working.
  Computer is working.
  LCD Display functions ready.
  Hardware & Software for SeaTalk port is tested and working.
  Hardware & Software for NMEA port is tested and working.
  
  SeaTalk datagram coding/decoding is working.
  • Depth
  • Water temperature
  • Instument Light
  • Speed through water
  • Apparent wind speed & angle
  
  From NMEA Protocol it reads GPRMC, xxMWV, xxMTW, xxDBT etc.
  • Position Lat/lon
  • GPS status
  • Speed over ground
  • Heading
  • Time
  • Date
  • Water temperature
  
  Status: Info on LCD Display.
  • Speed through Water ( from SeaTalk )
  • Speed over ground ( from NMEA )
  • Depth ( from Seatalk )
  • Water temperature ( from SeaTalk )
  • Position Lon/Lat ( from NMEA )
  • Time
  • Apparent wind speed & angle ( from SeaTalk )
  
  
  Status: Read NMEA Data -> Send to SeaTalk bus
  
  • Speed over Ground ( SeaTalk 52 )
  • Speed through Water
  • LAT & LON ( SeaTalk 51 & 51 )
  • Water Temp ( SeaTalk 27 )
  • Special SeaTalk sentence $STALK,xx,yy,zz.... ( Sends any SeaTalk
  • Trip & Total Milage( SeaTalk 25 )
  • Apparent wind speed & direction
  
  Status: Read SeaTalk -> Send to NMEA port
  
  • Depth ( $IIDBT )
  • Apparent. Wind speed. & angle ( $IIMWV )
  • Speed through water ( $IIVHW )
  • Compass heading ( $IIVHW and $IIHDM )
  • Water Temp. ( $IIMTW )
  • Trip & Total Milage( $IIVLW )
  
  You can find a detailed and up to date list of implemented SeaTalk and NMEA Datagrams HERE
  
  The software is still under development. This is not a "End User Product"
  
  
• How to get a board :
  
  For the last version of the PCB, I have ordered serval PCB's.
  This is the only way for a private person to get good quality PCB's for a reasonable price.
  
  I still have PCB's and all the electronic parts available
  I can send a PCB, all electronic parts and a programmed processor - if you can solder the board yourself. ( some experience in soldering and electronics required )
  
  For everybody else, I can send a fully assembled and tested board.
  If you are interested in getting one please check my webshop at
  
  gadgetPool homepage and webshop
  Please read the manual before ordering, to find out if this device is realy what you need.
  
  If you have any questions pls. send mail to :
  The protocol converter is a research project
  It is used for research on data communication, computer communication and data conversion with computers and instruments on board of boats.
  It is not an End-User product and must not be used for navigation
  Liability cannot be accepted for any damages, personal injuries or malfunctions caused by this converter.

  Latest News :
  

  • I found a nice housing for the Bridge. It costs 4,50 Euro
  • I found a nice lcd display that can be connected to the controller. It costs 20,00 Euro
    - - -
    
  • Users Manual is ready.
  
  
  • The current software is Version 1.21.
  
  
  • One user reported, that a ST60 Wind instument can not deal with speed-over-ground data. It always wants to "see" speed-through-water.
    If you only have a GPS and a ST60-Wind than you don't have speed-through-water but only speed-over-ground. I made a special option, where NMEA input speed-over-ground is sent to SeaTalk output speed-through-water.
    So the ST60-Wind thinks we have speed-through-water and can calculate true windspeed and true heading.
    As soon as the Bridge detects a log on the Seatalk bus ( a stw datagram arrives ) this function is disabled.
    This is also a good option, if you would like to have you ST60 Wind calculate true wind from speed over ground instead of speed through water.
    When you're sailing in strong currents or on rivers this function allows you to get "real" true wind direction from your ST60/St40 wind instrument.
    This functions has been tested on two boats.
    Switch on STW=SOG : $SNBSE,14,0
    Switch off STW=SOG : $SNBSE,14,1
    
  • Version 1.12 Addes $xxGLL. I had a tester who has a GPS not sending $xxRMC. So I added $xxGLL,VTG to get position, speed and heading.

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    Here you can find some impressions from the Lab :-)
    

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  Download latest Softwareversions
  Version 1.5 with LCD
  Version 1.5 without LCD
  Version 1.6 with LCD ( Watchdog added, reception of $GPRMC and $IIRMC)
  Version 1.6 without LCD
  Version 1.7 with LCD (My ST60 now and than sent an "illegal" SeaTalk sentence. In this case the SeaTalk reception somtimes just stopped and the bridge had to be switched off/on - solved here.)
  Version 1.7 without LCD
  Version 1.9 with LCD Added : Nema course over ground gets sent to SeaTalk
  Version 1.9 without LCD
  Version 1.10 with LCD Bugfix: Course magnetic from SeaTalk compass was sometimes wrong
  Version 1.10 without LCD
  
  Vserion 1.11 is an internal Test version . Not released
  
  Version 1.12 with LCD Added NMEA $xxGLL, to get Position from GPS when not $xxRMC is available.
  Version 1.12 without LCD
  
  Version 1.13 with LCD Read NMEA $xxVHW to get Speed Through Water from NMEA Send $IIMWV when Wind angle changes. No more wait for wind speed change. Faster Update rate.
  Version 1.13 without LCD
  
  
  Version 1.14 is an internal Test version . Not released
  
  Version 1.15 with LCD Due to a copy/past error the problem of rebooting, when an illegal SeaTalk sentence is received, has shown up again. Solved hier in 1.15
  Version 1.15 without LCD
  
  Version 1.16 withdrwan
  
  Version 1.17 with LCD Latest stable and tested version. Had this version running continuosly on my boat for over a week without any problems. All latest feateures included. ( STW<->SOG see $SNBSE,14,0 )
  Version 1.17 without LCD
  

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On the - very good - SeaTalk pages of Thomas Knauf you can find a small circuit to connect a SeaTalk device to the serial port of your PC.

I have made some PCB's for this circuit.
Since they have a minimum amount when you order, i got several boards.
Today i have 0 PCB's left - sorry.
If you are interested in getting the Eagle PCB files to make the PCB yourself - just send me an
The PCB + resistors + 2 transistors + 2 terminals is 20 Euro.
The boards are not assembled - you'll have to solder yourself :-) .






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Electronics
In the future i will put more reports about my other electonics-, microcontroller- and hobby projects here.

• Linuxsoftware for my old eprom programmer

• SED1330 Graphics LCD Display at ATmega128 controller.
  Click HERE for software and further infomation

• 4*20 LCD Module connected to Ethernut controller using only 2 I/O Pins.
  The Display EA-DIP204-4 is a 4*20 LCD display that can be connected to controllers consuming only 2 I/O Pins .
  Click HERE for software and further infomation