Multiple scanners and 1 GPS

[N9JIG]

In my vehicle I have a BCD996T connected to my Garmin GPS3 and it works just fine and dandy. I also have a BC15 and am thinking of adding a second 996 or BC15. Still further I have a Kenwood TMD-700 that I would like to try playing with APRS.

I have looked around and have not found anyone else who has asked or answered this question:

Can I use a single GPS receiver with 3 or 4 radios at the same time?

AFAIK none of these radios send data TO the GPS, they just receive data FROM it.

Will there be any type of isolation needed between the radios?

 

[mikeATtleccdotnet]

I would set up a RS-485 Multi Drop network that would take one source and drop it to many seperate devices. Black Box has them for about $80 a pop, one for the source and one for each of the scanners, 5 scanners = 6 of the units. Easy to setup and they work great...

Mike

 

[RolnCode3]

Probably not what you're looking for, but if you have a laptop, there's a program called GPSGate. It allows for you to input a GPS signal to the laptop, and then split it up. You can create virtual COM ports, output the signal to actual COM ports, and even create data internally that specific programs can use, such as Google Earth and Maps.

 

[WB6AJE]

Multiple radios-1 GPS

If you know which pin has the receive data from the GPS, just make multiple 9 pin connectors for each radio. (data to pin 2 or 3 of GPS [whichever is for receive], and pin 5 for ground)
(Use the data pin and ground to each radio)

I believe that should work !

John Bush
Remscan Products

 

[slicerwizard]

Can I use a single GPS receiver with 3 or 4 radios at the same time?

Certainly. Just fan out the GPS TX data (pin 2) and ground (pin 5) to each radio.

AFAIK none of these radios send data TO the GPS, they just receive data FROM it.

Correct.

Will there be any type of isolation needed between the radios?

Nope. You're good to go. Report back when it's working.

 

[N9JIG]

Thanks All!

I have made a wire harness using a Garmin Data-Power cable, 3 Uniden BC-15/996 RS232 cables with the radio end cut off and the Kenwood GPS cable, connecting the data out of the GPS to the appropriate pin of the serial cables. I hope to get some time this weekend to install this in the van, I will report how it works.