Updating Software or Reconfiguring a Garmin NMEA 0183/HVS Antenna

• Users will need the following resources: 

  • Garmin NMEA 0183 GPS antenna with power / NMEA 0183 cable (GPS 17, GPS 17n, GPS 17HVS, GPS 17x HVS, GPS 19x HVS, GPS 24xd)

  • IBM-compatible PC running Windows 2000 or later operating system with an available Com 1, 2, 3, or 4  serial port

  • Users must build a wire harness using a Third-Party Female DB-9 connector and suitable length of cabling to connect to the GPS antenna (See Note below)

  • Download applicable software or configuration application

NOTE: Users will need to build a wire harness of suitable length with at least 4 individual wires to connect the DB-9 connector and NMEA 0183 GPS antenna wiring.

Examples of a Generic Third-Party Female DB-9 Connector:

• Users can source a Bare Wire Female DB-9 connector (See examples of two generic Female DB-9 connectors)

• Use the tables and wiring diagrams associated to the GPS antenna to construct an interface harness to complete the procedures 

  • Select GPS Antennas

  • Select the antenna

  • Use the Table and Plug illustrations to identify pins, color, and function to build the wire harness 

                                 EXAMPLE: Generic Female DB-9 Connector with open wires                                                                                           EXAMPLE:  Generic Female Open Face DB-9 Connector

GPS Antennas                                

• Connect the assigned wire colors / functions from the GPS 17 or GPS 17HVS to the Female DB-9 connector 

NOTE: Utilize the appropriate table or diagram associated to your devices:  "Wire Color Function Table" and "Third-Party Female DB-9 Interface Plug"

• To view the GPS16 / 17 Quick Start manual, go to GPS 17 Quick Start Manual

   Wire Color/Function Table

                                                      Third-Party Female DB-9 Interface Plug

• Connect the assigned wire colors / functions from the GPS 17n to the Female DB-9 connector 

NOTE: Utilize the appropriate table or diagram associated to the devices:  "Wire Color Function" and "Third-Party Female DB-9 Interface Plug"

• To view the the GPS16 / 17 Quick Start manual, go to GPS 16/17 Quick Start Guide

   Wire Color / Function Table

 Third-Party Female DB-9 Interface Plug

• Connect the assigned wire colors / functions from the GPS 17x HVS to the Female DB-9 connector

NOTE: Utilize the appropriate table and/or diagram associated to the devices:  "Wire Color Function" and "Third-Party Female DB-9 Interface Plug"

• To see the GPS 17xHVS Technical Manual, go to GPS 17xHVS Technical Manual

    Wire Color / Function Table

Third-Party Female DB-9 Interface Plug

• Connect the assigned wire colors / functions from the GPS 19x HVS / GPS 24xd HVS to the Female DB-9 connector

NOTE: Utilize the appropriate table or diagram associated to the devices:  "Wire Color Function table" and "Third-Party Female DB-9 Interface Plug"

• To view the GPS 19xHVS Technical manual, go to GPS 19x HVS Technical Manual

• To view the GPS 24xd HVS installation manual, go to GPS 24xd HVS Installation Instructions

                                                   Wire Color/Function Table

Third-Party Female DB-9 Interface Plug

• There are two files that a user may need to be downloaded & use depending on the requirements

• Software (Unit Files) and configuration files (Additional Software) are specific to each GPS antenna

1. 1. Unit Files - This is the operational software that runs the GPS antenna

   2. Additional Software - This is the Configuration Management Application that enables users to re-configure the GPS antenna to meet the needs of the user or to re-configure antenna for third-party use

NOTE:  If all that is needed is an operational software update, the "Additional Software" Configuration Management Application is not needed.

NOTE: The Additional Software Configuration applications (SNSRCFG or SNSRXCFG) would only be needed if the user is making configuration changes to the GPS Antenna.

NOTE:  It is important to download the right software update and Configuration application (SNSRCFG or SNSRXCFG) for your specific antenna (See GPS Antenna Software Links and GPS Antenna Computer Based Configuration Changes).

NOTE: The Configuration applications (SNSRCFG or SNSRXCFG) is the supported solution for configuring the GPS antenna for third-party use.

NOTE:  The instructions for this procedure are based on using the Chrome web browser.

• To download the software follow steps 1-11 below

           1.  Select applicable GPS Antenna from the GPS Antenna Software Links below:

NOTE: GPS 17 software is the same as the GPS 17 HVS

GPS Antenna Software Links

GPS 17    

GPS 17n  

GPS 17HVS 

GPS17x HVS  

GPS 19xHVS

GPS 24xd HVS 

NOTE: The GPS 24xd will also require the update from here to be downloaded and implemented on the system as well as the one linked above to configure the antenna.

          2.  Download the appropriate operational software (Unit Files) onto the Windows PC

          3.  The download will be presented on the bottom left hand side of your computer display; Select "Open" 

          4.  The WinZip Self-Extractor window will open; Select the "Unzip" button (See WinZip Self Extractor Window below)

NOTE:  The Configuration Application (Additional Software) must be closed when downloading the operational software update.  If the Additional Software Configuration files are not closed while downloading the Operational software update; the GPS Antenna will not be detected. 

                                                        WinZip Self Extractor Window

           5. Using the DB-9 cable, connect your GPS antenna to a free serial port (Com 1, 2, 3, or 4) on your Windows PC

           6. Apply power to the GPS Antenna

           7. In  the computer Windows File Explorer, Open "C:\Garmin" folder

NOTE: If downloading software for the GPS 17 or GPS 17HVS, select the "046202600320.RGN" file for step 7 below. 

NOTE: All other GPS antennas have only one RGN file.

           8. Single click and hold the ".rgn" file

           9. Drag the ".rgn" file onto/into the "Updater.exe" application and let go. (The "updatere.exe" is located in the "C:\Garmin" folder)

           10.  Select "AutoDetect", GPS antenna is now detected

           11.  Select "OK" to begin the software update. (See picture of "GPS Software Updater Progress Bar" below)

• • During the upload, the Software update will display "Software Loading...."

    • The upload process should take 1-3 minutes to complete

    • Once the process is complete, the final prompt will automatically exit Updater.exe

    • When the upload is completed, the GPS Antenna will reset itself and turn on normally

    • You can now test and/or configure the GPS antenna with the appropriate SNSRCFG or SNSRXCFG Configuration application

               GPS Software Updater Progress Bar

• To download the Configuration application files follow steps 1-8 below

NOTE: The instructions for this procedure are based on a "CHROME" web browser

• Users can configure the GPS antenna to meet their specific needs using the Configuration applications (SNSRCFG or SNSRXCFG) 

To configure the GPS antenna:

1. Select the appropriate GPS antenna from the "Software Update" drop down shown above

2. Select "Download" for the "Additional Software" Configuration applications (SNSRCFG or SNSRXCFG) 

3. Depending on the GPS antenna, users will see a window on the bottom left side of the computer display; showing either "SNSRCFG _320.exe" or "SNSRXCFG_3220.exe"

4. Select the window and the select Open 

5. Select the GPS Antenna you are configuring and "OK" (See Sensor Config picture below)

                                           Sensor Config 

           6. The Garmin Sensor Configuration Software window will appear 

           7. To configure the GPS antenna, select "Config" on the menu bar (See Garmin Sensor Configuration Software Window below)

                                                               Garmin Sensor Configuration Software Window

            8. The Sensor Configuration Page will appear.  Users can now configure the GPS Antenna as needed ( See Sensor Configuration Page picture below)

NOTE: The SNSRCFG or SNSRXCFG application is the supported solution for configuring the GPS antenna for third-party use

                                                                      Sensor Configuration Page

• If the software update or connection fails. the antenna may not be properly connected to the computer

  • Select "Cancel" - This will stop the Software update program

  • Verify the DB-9 serial connection and cable configuration

  • Cycle power on the Windows computer

  • Cycle power on the GPS Antenna

  • Ensure you have the correct GPS Antenna Operational Software

    • If you have the incorrect GPS Operational Software downloaded, delete the incorrect ".rgn" files and select the correct GPS Antenna software and re-accomplish download procedures