Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
GPS & Antenna — Parallax Forums

GPS & Antenna

PridborPridbor Posts: 30
edited 2014-03-06 14:57 in Propeller 1
I got the PBM-688 GPS and Antenna but don't know how to attach the Antenna to the GPS unit.

I first thought that it had threads but I'm not sure it's pretty small for my eyes.

Could you pls let me know if I should just push or screw it in or ?

The unit works fine o my desk but I would like to see if I can catch a few more Satellites

And BTW when the GPS Spec says Optional in Baud-rate and Output messages, what does
it mean? do you order a different unit to get those features or do you have to command the unit to provide these?

Thanks in advance

Preben

Comments

  • r.daneelr.daneel Posts: 96
    edited 2014-03-04 12:00
    The antenna just pushes in - you'll hear a click and feel positive engagement. You're doing well getting it to work on your desk - the only way I've ever been able to get mine to work inside is to attach the antenna and hang the antenna out a window.

    Not sure what you mean wrt GPS spec. Not all GPS chips implement all commands. Can you be more specific?
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-03-04 12:06
    r.daneel wrote: »
    The antenna just pushes in - you'll hear a click and feel positive engagement. You're doing well getting it to work on your desk - the only way I've ever been able to get mine to work inside is to attach the antenna and hang the antenna out a window.

    Not sure what you mean wrt GPS spec. Not all GPS chips implement all commands. Can you be more specific?

    You might want to check out the zip file in Post #8 of this thread:

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/125402-Can-t-Read-GPS?highlight=SiRF

    It might have the software to change the baud rate. In the PDF, page 2-2.
  • PridborPridbor Posts: 30
    edited 2014-03-04 21:26
    I got a 1 page specification for the 688, can't recall where I found it, which provides the baudrates 4800bps and in parenthesis 9600, 19300, and 38400;
    and for Output messages it mentions optional VTG and Gll

    I have the hunch that it means that it comes programmed to work at 4800 bps, and GGA,GSV,GSA,RMC
    and that I have to command it to provide the other messages/baud rates.

    I did end up pushing it in and it too works fine in my office 7 satellites in view

    Thanks for inputs

    Preben
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2014-03-05 01:03
    Usually you can modify some GPS parameters.
    Mainly baud rate, messages, sometimes frequency of the message, binary mode and so on.
    You usually can also select if the unit updates the position continuously of only if there is a minimum delta between two reading.
    What you can do and how depends on the GPS unit you have.
    If I remember correctly Phil posted a spin program to enter binary mode, do some configuration stuff and go back to NMEA.... have yet to find it....
    Massimo
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-03-05 03:43
    I think this is the thread you where thinking of:

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/140908-Difficulty-transmitting-to-PMB-648-GPS

    Although it is a different part number, they both use the samSiRF Star III chipset.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2014-03-05 08:55
    Right!
    Massimo
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-03-05 16:07
    This is a more advanced manual for the SiRFstar chipset.
    pdf
    pdf
    SiRF-SiRF-v2_3.pdf
    2M
  • PridborPridbor Posts: 30
    edited 2014-03-06 14:57
    Sorry for the late response but we are preparing to go to our Europe base :-) so not
    much time to play. I will attempt to bring my prototype setup with me for the cold
    evenings :-)

    Thanks to you all for the inputs and guidance.

    Preben
Sign In or Register to comment.