Adding Aftermarket Internal GPS to the CF-29

It really doesn't matter how well you mount the Sarantel antenna, the problem is the antenna itself is very fragile and if any part of it sticks out it is eventually going to break it's just a matter of time. They do work quite well horizontally and vertically but in a toughbook they must stick out of the magnesium body or you will not get a reliable signal. The patch antenna mounted in a position like the CF-30 would be the best rugged solution.

 

You mean to say like this,


ohlip

 

You obviously never mounted one in the correct way! They can be quite hardly on the WWAN position if mounted correctly. Teo and I have been doing it for years...

Perhaps you have been too busy to experiment!

 

Like I said, it doesn't matter how well it is mounted the radome and ceramic cylinder will snap right off leaving the mounting intact. I am sure there is a reason why teo has gone to the setup he has posted above that is a great setup Teo well done.

 

I have to join in with some of the previous posters to say that this work seems a bit beyond my capabilities. Would any of you (like Toughbook or Ohlip) be willing to do this work on my CF-29? You can either feel free to pm me, or post here if you think others may be interested as well. I know that some of you actively sell modded units, but how about doing the work on forum members existing toughbooks?

 

We canot PM you and you cannot PM us until you get your post count up a little. You CAN go into "User CP" and add your email address and check the box that says, let users email me. Don't worry about spammers... We keep them locked in a vault.

 

oops, sorry, I just checked the box to allow others to email me! Thanks!

 

Hero... You have PM....

 

HI all I know this thread has been dead a while, but I am wondering where the tutorial of adding this aftermarket gps to a cf-29 is, is this considered the tutorial? There are a lot of pics missing that could help me out on deciding what setup to go with and if this is within my capabilities. I was reading ohlip's post on how he soldered into the flat ribbon cable and he referenced some pictures, but I could not find the pictures. Thanks all.

 

Have another question does anyone know if the em408 gps engine would be compatible with Fugawi Global Navigator?

 

It is!(random characters added to meet silly restriction on post length!)
CAP

 

Excellent. Thank you, now just need to get everything ordered to do the mod, and try to decided whether to go with the active patch antenna, or the sarantel, don't really want to lose my WWAN antenna, but have heard mixed results about modifing the right corner of the lid to hold it.

 

How "in the open" do you have to be for GPS to read? I haven't had my Toughbook in a car yet, but would it get a good signal on the center console? or would it have to be mounted up by the windshield to pick up a signal from an internal GPS?

 

I use the EM-408 with the JDG 27dBi GPS antenna and get a signal in my BASEMENT.... I could most likely get one with it locked in a car trunk!

Front seat? No problemo!

 

Toughbook are you referencing the 27dbi ceramic active patch antenna ie: Jim D Gray & Associates Inc - JDGA Quad V GPS Antennas - CERAMIC PATCH ACTIVE GPS ANTENNA 15 X 15 X 6mm 1575MHz 27dB (Powered by CubeCart). I know you referenced the antenna you have had good results with along with the ground-plane, but I have searched and searched this thread and can't find the link.

 

Yup... that is the one.... That along with the EM-408 and a well made reflector will give you an unbelieveable signal! I routinely peg all the sats that are available (10-12) and usually can pick up at least 4-6 in my basement shop with two floors of steel, concrete and wood covering and surrounding me!

 

Sounds good too me!! Ordered the EM-408, all though have to wait until next week to get the antenna. Thanks for the advice. Do you make the reflector out of copper or what are you using for the ground-plane. What is a good thickness to use, I have a brake press I can use at work so I can bend almost any thickness of metal.

 

I use pure copper flashing from the building supply... It works VERY well and is the perfect thickness.

 

Ok Now are you still putting the antenna in the WM cover over the battery?

 

Yup..... I sure do... Right in the center....

 

Awesome thanks for the info. Can't wait for everything to get here. I was one of the lucky ones to get an excellent condition SBC CF-29 that the touchscreen actually works.

 

I was thinking it might be an easy addon to add a Sarantel 1010021 Geohelix-S Active GPS Antenna to the Top left lid since I can use the existing cover there. Want improvement will I get for an OEM GPS on my CF-29?

Also would it be as easy as cutting the black wire leading to the GPS and antenna and soldering a new one to the new antenna I was even wonding if I can use the existing Cable that goes to the WWAN unit which I have replaced with an GPS only Sled?

Thanks

 

To use the Sarantel you will need to swap in the EM-408... I haven't heard of anyone ever using the Sarantel with the stock unit. I wouldn't try it...

 

Ok thanks,

Is there a better Attena than the OEM one for the stock GPS? just curious and some look the some but are active.

 

If you are going with OEM... I would stay with that as they are tuned for each other. If you want to change anything... I'd scrap the whole OEM deal and go for the EM-408 and either the Sarantel or 27dBi active patch antenna.

 

Ok thanks, Good to know. The sarantel Antenna does look nice though. lol

 

You should see it in a short dress, high heels and lipstick!

 

Hey... I resemble that remark! Or at least I did last Halloween... And at the Edwards clan get togethers when I wear me kilt.

mnem
Whatchoo lookin' at? Ain't nuthin' but whut th' good lord gave me...

 

We are looking to add gps into our CF-29PTQLZBM. After reading on here it seems like the EM-408 internal and Sarantel antenna is the best combination. Am I correct? This computer does not have any gps yet at all. Is it easy to install? Are there instructions on how to do it? Where is the cheapest place to get everything (in store or online)? What Sarantel antenna is good? We know nothing about them. We are going on vacation this thursday and wanted to use the computer for gps, so any help at all would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to hearing any and all responses. Thanks and have a blessed day/night. Anton & Snow

 

If you want GPS for Thursday you better order a BU353 from GPS City this morning, or better yet, given all the time you have allowed, buy a copy of MS Streets and Trips with an included USB GPS TODAY! There is no way you are going to get a internal GPS into that machine in 4 days. If you will be spending time in the boonies get DeLorme Topo with their USB GPS. Probably all you'll ever need any way. Its going to take you a day or so to figure out the GPS.
CAP

 

We have topo 7 right now and a delorme pn-40 we use for geocaching. Should we wait and buy the internal setup or will we not see much of a difference and just go with the delorme gps since we have topo and the pn-40. I would rather wait if the internal gps would be better. If not then I would just get the delorme and be done with it. To get the gps, do you need Microsoft streets or will the topo from delorme work as well. Is there any other software besides Microsoft streets. Sorry for so many questions but if we want gps we want to get a good setup. Thanks for your help and we look forward to any and all responses. Have a blessed day/night. Anton & Snow

 

ok this looks like the place to ask this out of the 2
CF-29 GPS & bluetooth kit, 50 ch Ublox 5 -- DIY - $179.00 : Custom Toughbooks, -Aftermarket solutions for Panasonic Toughbooks
and
CF-29 GPS & bluetooth kit, 20 ch SiRF3 -- DIY - $149.00 : Custom Toughbooks, -Aftermarket solutions for Panasonic Toughbooks
what is the best 1 i drive a truck and for the pass 2 weeks i have gone and order a lot of things for my cf-29 new hdd ext i hope once i get back to the house to go to my ups fedex dl shack that i have coded the door and find this thing and take 1 to 2 days is all i can give to do all this and i have no luck of finding a gps software that has truck routing that i can be happy with it

 

Did you look at this one?

CoPilot Truck 11 and PC Miler Navigator GPS system

 

pcmiler is 1 of the worst out hear some are just giveing the thing a way for the fact that thay can not get some one to buy it is so bad i do not think that the laptop ver will be much more that what u can buy out hear on the road i have heard bad thing of it
the last thing is if u get lost and next thing u know your gps sends u down a no truck road or a low clear and u get stuck

 

Well... There IS a way... But it would cost him!

 

ya but last time i checked my cf-29 dont have bt so im knocking out 2 things i wont with only 1 bullet
o and it is a tax write off

 

Hi, this is my first post on the forum! I use web translator, I hope that you will understand me! )))
I bought the gps-receiver with usb-interface. It is very well built inside the laptop:













Today I received Ribbon Cable AWM 20624 150mm 12 pin (1,5$ from ebay) and going to connect it to the connector CN18.

Please help me - what pin CN18 I need to connect to any pin usb gps receiver?



1. VIN -> pin 30,31,32(any of them)
2. D- -> ???
3. D+ -> ???
4. GND -> pin 33,35,37 (any of them).

pin 29 is used here?

Thank you!

 

Your D- will be pin36 and your D+ will be pin34. Pin 29 will not be use.

ohlip

 

Ohlip, thank you for your response and all the information in this thread!
Please do not throw tomatoes at me , two more questions:
1. pin 40 on the ground in this case?
2. organize one or two external usb ports using other pins CN18 - is this possible? If yes - what pins for this?
Thank you!

 

There is no need to use the pin40 since you are using a USB gps module. Pin40 only use if you are using the serial port in order to show up the gps option on the bios. In your case you only need to install the cd containing the driver for usb to serial port. The gps option will not be display on bios when you are using usb gps. Its a straight forward installation.

There is only one usb available on CN18 of cf-29 unless you use a usb hub in order to have multiple usb.

ohlip

 

Some antennas don't like to touch anything. Do you have heavy tape to make a doughnut to circle the antenna? Neat installation. Send pictures when you have it working please.


Jeff

 

Very slick, I'm looking forward to a performance report. Did you chose the ND-100 over the ND-100s for a reason, perhaps because you are in Europe? I haven't heard the best of reports on the mstar chipset which is in the ND-100, but the ND-100s has my favorite Sirf lll chipset. Rep to you, sometimes the simplest solution is also the best.
CAP

 

ohlip ,
thanks again! Please tell me if in this case I plug pin 40 on the ground, then the BIOS will see my gps receiver?
I will not connect usb hub for contacts CN18 because they did not want to interfere with the function of gps. I'll think how to fork available external slot usb. Or there are other options for solving the problem?

Gork!,
I do not have a special heavy tape. For what it is? Risk of failure of the device from static electricity from my fingers?
I checked it now works in the clear when I connect the receiver to the external usb slot. Blinking blue light, a navigation program sees the receiver. But I'll be careful now, thanks.

capt.dogfish,
Thank you! Of course, I'll post a report when I have it completely.
ND-100 is a production GLOBALSAT for US market, I bought it on ebay, because it was cheap - $ 30 including postage. For Europe this is the GT-100, and in Russia costs $ 80 excluding shipping.
http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-650-81-nd-100.aspx or http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-590-nd-100s.aspx
the same product
http://www.globalsat.ru/catalog/razdely_kataloga/gps_priemniki/134.html

When I choose a product I did not know the difference between 100 and 100s. But now I see that my 100th has 48 channels to 20 in the 100s. I tested my ND-100 in a room near the window (3 feet), it was a good reception!

 

As I said. there is no need to use or plugin the pin 40 to ground. It will the same connection when you plugin the usb gps receiver externally.

Good Luck.

ohlip

 

I am sorry I don't know the reason exactly. Rick (Toughbook) I think said it in a post and I read it somewhere else. Maybe the Sirf web site.
But static electricity could be the answer.
No special tape is required. You can layer two or three pieces of Kapton tape or electrical tape together and the little ring you make goes around the antenna part. So none of the tip of the antenna can touch anything.
I hope I am clear and it may not matter with this antenna.

 

Bingo! I did it ...

Cut Flex Ribbon Cable AWM 20624, make usb socket. Use the wire from the IDE cable.







testing ...



installation of the power switch


mark for future openings ...






drill, paint a hole ...


drill a hole for the power cable ...




For fixed switch there is only 1 minute! "Abro steel" ...


cover medical needles - our future indicator window of the receiver. cut to size ...


drill a hole for the indicator. If you choose the right size drill bit, then it's water resistance.


installation ... Finish!


Our indicator is activated or blinks or is not active when it should be. And we see it.

Moderator, please correct my post for good English, if possible. Thank you!

 

I do not want to recommend you to use the receiver ND-100 now. The result was worse than my expectations. When the receiver from the outside - a good reception in the building. When it is inside the laptop - the result is worse or no reception. Tomorrow I'll continue to experiment. May be guilty of chip ND-100 (it's worse than ND-100s) or absence of copper sheet, may be something else ... I'll wait for your ideas and help!

 

Could you give us more detail on the switch ?




Alex

 

Alex,
Your question about the led indicator? It is built into the receiver manufacturer, I just put inside the glass for transmitted light.



About power switch:
This is the switch from a broken laptop. This activated the wifi before. Here it breaks the wire +5 volts.
Surely we can take any other switch. Size is important only...
If it is not installed, gps will always work. Even when power is off.

 

Thanks for the clairification

( Rick) Toughbook tested stock location GPS antenna performance earlier in this thread and found that a copper sheet helps reception

That is your next step , as you must try to improve performance

Alex