My GPS went wacky

[Ken Palmer]

I look for sensitivity, antenna type (can you use an external antenna?) and such... You can also - if you are of a mind - find a cheap (but good) USB to GPS interface for a PC.
--jr

Well this isn't a case of not enough signal strength since I was getting speed and direction, but twice the speed and a difference of about 45 degrees in heading. Besides, I have sailed this area for years, my GPS didn't change, and I didn't hear about any satellite problem.

I have thought about adding a "hockey puck" GPS to my laptop and using that for backup. There is one listed at ebay that looks decent for the price of less then $40.

 

[Ken Palmer]

Sunday's results follow-up

It was a great sailing days with winds 15 to 20 knots and 2 to 3 foot waves. I tested my GPS Receiver first on internal batteries only, and found speed and direction corresponded with the knotmeter and compass. I then connected the GPS to the data line with the VHF radio and the boat 12 VDC power system. The GPS continued to work for the rest of the sail. Checking the lat-long readout on the VHF radio was also OK.

As far as the ST-60 Wind Instrument, I did a system reset on that, re-calibrated the angle of the wind, and all appears to be good with that also.

It's all a mystery to me on why they failed all of a sudden a few days ago. Sometimes electronics is that way, but I will keep my eye on them when we go to the Hunter Rendezvous towards the end of the month.

Thanks to everybody for your hints and smooth sailing!

 

[Bob Poff]

Ken, do a search for "PRN32".

Some of the manufactures didn't follow the complete standard for managing the timeslots for the satellites. And thus only allowed for 31 birds in the constellation.
When number 32 (PRN32) is seen some GPS units get strange.

I agree that it does seem odd that it waited all this time to surface though.

 

[tsmwebb]

Ken, do a search for "PRN32".

If that's the problem you should be able to see it by going to the satellite page on your GPS. If 32 is there and has a bar while your unit is acting oddly then that's likely your problem. If your unit is working well and it sees 32 then it wasn't the problem. I am a little skeptical that it was the issue, but it is easy to check. FWIW, 32 is currently almost at my Zenith here in San Carlos and is reporting a healthy signal according to my GP-31...

--Tom.

 

[Ken Palmer]

Further update

Today I received an e-mail from Magellan. They want me to install firmware rev. 4.02. I tried to display the current rev in my Magellan Meridian Marine by going to Menu and selecting "About..." That says copyright 2003 Thales NAV Rev. 5.12 Sept 29 2003.

At this point, I don't want to download firmware rev 4.02 dated 2002. You cannot call customer support and talk to anybody with "legacy" unit like the Meridian Marine. Go to website, but nothing found on how to read-out the firmware rev.

Now that it seems to work, I think I will wait before blindly installing 4.02 until they reply to my e-mail again. We leave on a cruise in 4 days.