Quark-elec QK-A034 Bi-directional WiFi to NMEA 2000 Gateway Multiplexer with NMEA 0183 and SeaTalk input options

QK-A034 is a sophisticated NMEA 2000 to WiFi and USB multiplexer, with added flexibility for your growing system.

Enjoy a direct WiFi link to your NMEA network data, for convenient and flexible access to your marine data. And as the WiFi connection is 2-way, you can also send data, including Waypoints to your Chart Plotter and autopilot.

In addition to bi-directional NMEA 2000 to WiFi and USB, the A034 provides a seamless connection of NMEA 0183 and Raymarine SeaTalk1 input devices.

(If you also require NME A0183 output, select the A034-B which has this additional output.)

See the table below for inputs and outputs of both the A034 and A034-B to help you select the right option.

The A034 gives you:

• NMEA 2000 to WiFi and USB, 2-way communication
• 2-way WiFi and USB gives you control and data inputs from WiFi and USB devices
• Additional allows adding three NMEA 0813 inputs and a SeaTalk1 bus input into the data stream
• NMEA 0183 output (A034-B only)
• Filtering options
• Routing options
• Convenient combined marine data over ,
  • WiFi on your mobile devices
  • USB to PC and
  • NMEA 2000 to listener devices including displays, chart plotter and autopilots
  • NMEA 0183 to listener devices (A034-B only)

Typical System Setup

The A034 is a flexible device and the connections can be tailored to your individual setup.

Below is an example setup. Whether you input devices (eg.GPS, AIS, wind. depth and other sensors) are SeaTalk1, NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000, simply connect them to the correct input connection.

The A034 can be used out of the box for standard functionality or configured for additional sophistication.

Without Configuration: The multiplexer converts and combines data received on the listener ports and sends this data to NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183 (A034-B) WiFi and USB simultaneously. Default Baud rates: NMEA input 1 and 2: 4800bps and NMEA input 3: 38400bps

With Configuration:

• Configurable NMEA Baud rates
• Linking to a second onboard WiFi network if desired
• USB troubleshooting input function
• Filtering options, each input has a flexible filter that can be configured to pass or block specific sentences. This helps to avoid conflict if 2 input devices are inputting the same data type (eg GPS), and frees up bandwidth, significantly reducing the possibility of data overflow and the resulting loss of data.
• Routing options, the powerful routing feature allows the NMEA, SeaTalk and WiFi input data to be routed from any input to specific outputs. For example, you may wish to

WiFi Connection

The WiFi module is set for direct Ad-hoc WiFi connection as default, with no need for a router. The SSID and password can be changed through QK-A034 configuration software, increasing security and memorability.

Up to 4 wireless devices can connect directly to the A034 in Ad-hoc mode.

QK-A034 can also be connected via Station mode using the Configuration software. This allows for greater range and remote access, as well as additional multi-device access.

The WiFi can also be disabled and be placed on Standby mode if desired.

Bi-directional WiFi: With 2-way WiFi, the A034 allows for wireless connection to autopilots and other NMEA devices, giving you the freedom to navigate, monitor and control from your iPad, iPhone, Android tablets and other WiFi enabled devices.

Bi-directional USB:  2-way USB the A034 allows the user to send instructions and data through USB from a laptop to all connected outputs. Frequently used to control autopilots and other NMEA devices from OpenCPN and other PC software, allowing the user to navigate, monitor and control from your laptop. This feature also allows for sending of test data for system testing and analysis.

Features:

• Bi-directional WiFi, USB and NMEA 2000
• Combines inputs from three NMEA 0183 input devices and one SeaTalk input with the N2K, USB and WiFi data
• NMEA 0183 output (A034-B only)
• Compatible with all popular boating apps, including Navionics and Open CPN
• Galvanically isolated NMEA 0183 and SeaTalk input ports. Also called opto-isolation, galvanically isolation prevents unwanted currents between devices, preventing equipment damage and interference with radio signals
• SeaTalk to NMEA converter (converts common SeaTalk1 data types to NMEA 0183 sentences)
• NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 converter (converts common sentences to PGNs )
• NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 converter (converts common  NMEA 2000 PGNs to NMEA 0183 sentences)
• WiFi: Ad-hoc mode allows up to 4 devices to connect to the internal WiFi module simultaneously
• WiFi: Station mode allows for the connection of the A034 to your router/ access point for greater number of wireless users and WiFi range.
• WiFi: Standby option(disable WiFi)
• WiFi and USB input and output of all combined and converted data in NMEA 0183 sentence format
• WiFi and USB additionally output NMEA 2000 network PGNs (in the converted 0183 sentences and the original PCDIN format)
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux
• Compatible with Android and iOS via WiFi
• LEDs provide feedback and indicate for inputs, outputs, overflow and Power status.
• Filtering allows for overflow reduction and additional configuration.
• Routing reduces the risk of data over-flow.

More technical info

• Configurable NMEA 0183 baud rates (4800, 9600, 38400bps)
• Compatible with NMEA 2000 Chart plotters, Windows, Mac OS X, Linux systems (Full functionality, though the configuration is through a Windows application)
• Compatible with Android and iOS (All functionality excluding USB connection and Configuration)
• Connectable to older RS232 products through optional Protocol Bridge (AS03). For more information, see below.

FAQ – Will I need a Protocol bridge to connect NMEA 0183 devices? The answer is probably not…

This product uses the NMEA 0183-RS422 protocol (differential signal), however, some older chart plotters or instruments may use the older NMEA-RS232 protocol (Single-ended signal).

To ensure A034 compatibility with older style NMEA0183 devices, we provide the QK-AS03 Protocol Bridge. Check if your device uses NMEA0183 RS422(differential) or RS232 (single-ended) NMEA 0183.

• NMEA0183 RS422 (differential) devices’ wiring is compatible ‘out of the box’.
• NMEA0183 RS232  (single-ended) devices will require a Protocol Bridge (AS03) to connect your wiring.

Connecting the A034 to an older (RS232) instrument or Chart Plotter is not a problem, simply use the QK-AS03 Protocol Bridge. This connects NMEA-RS232 wiring to MNEA0183-RS422 and vice versa, using a simple ‘Plug ‘n’ Play’ connection, with no setup or configuration needed.

You will probably need an AS03 if you are connecting to an older Garmin, Raymarine or Standard Horizon device. The easiest way to check, is to look at the input/output connections on the device that you will connect the multiplexer to. If your NMEA 0183 data wire input/output connections has a TX, RX or GND connection, use a Protocol bridge.

If in doubt contact us for advice.

What’s included?

• 1 x QK-A034 / QK-A034-B
• 1 x USB-B cable (1m)
• 1 x NMEA 2000 cable
• 1 x Setup Guidebook

A product CD is no longer included with this item... Manuals, Configuration Software and drivers can be downloaded from the Quark-elec website

Help and Support

For any technical questions regarding this product, you can visit the forum at https://www.quark-elec.com/forum/ and ask your question, it’s regularly checked by the Quark technical team and your question may already have been answered there.

Alternatively, contact us directly, with details of your set up and we will be happy to help.