CF-29 integrated gps questions

I have a few questions and hope not to confuse anyone lol. first question is how do i know if i can hook up an external antenna up to my gps system and where would this plug be if i have it? another thing is there anyway to share the gps data with the serial port without having to buy a 130.00 program to do it Serial Port Splitter - split COM port, open COM port by several applications . I would like to hook up aprs to my serial port so i need to split the data into 2 different ports and this program works great for it but that's a lot of money for a program.

Thanks,

Rondall Swart

Ham radio call sign: K7CDL

Local ham radio event coordinator

C.E.R.T member

 

You do not have provisions for an external antenna. A little reading, starting with the "stickies" at the top of the first page will answer most of your questions. If I understand your need to share com ports, look for Franson GPSGate. It's free and works flawlessly.
CAP

 

Some docks have provisions for a external gps antenna if it's routed like that inside of your toughbook.

 

I didn't think he was ready for a pass through discussion.
CAP

 

If you have the pass-through it will be labeled on the back of the laptop... But I doubt you do. You *could* redo the wifi pass-through that most have but you would need a dock in order to make use of it.

 

I haven't tried a different antenna with my Mk.5 29 but I did try the GPS with its existing antenna moved to the outside of the case - didn't seem to help, still painfully slow.
Wasn't the EM408 module the one recommended here for internal GPS in the 29?

 

The Em408 will work... I used it for years and it worked VERY well.

 

I have read and researched plenty, I am sure there is tons more I have to learn. I think the big question here is being a purist or realist when modernizing/update a pimped out toughbook with 2015 functions. I spent plenty of time and money looking to utilize every internal function for a better pimped out toughbook.

My example is the external antenna parts I found and added to my docking station was very costly, I guess this satisfied the purist in me. The practical part of me sees today in the market there is many low price alternatives to keep my toughbook current and functional in the future. Many desiring a better faster GPS, better wifi, better bluetooth. Some of this can well be upgraded internally but when it comes time to reach out and add antenna to the TB many times these types of upgrades can be achieved with a USB pariereal. About the only exception to this is if you have a internal slead/WANN cell. Then to increase reception a external antenna is needed. Without a dock station or cutting hacking into the unit your screwed. I guess that ok and I would do it in a heartbeat, but the purist in me questions it.

The facts being "IF" your going to carry around wires, cables, coax, antenna to hang off of your TB a much cheaper USB quick plug and play in amazingly simple today for GPS, wifi and bluetooth. I thought the exception to this was cell antenna, I was going to use my dock antenna connection now. Well not quite the case from what I see. Looking to purchase an antenna I find I can step it up to a (used) Wilson with a in car antenna to a 3 watt booster to a external antenna for not much more cost. Hence not using the the antenna connector at all.

Just my observation and hope to keep a open mind.

 

I feel your pain. But a few things to think about and then a few questions...

I can see having a faster/stronger wifi. The Engenius card is perfect for this. (I have a few by the way.) As for Bluetooth... Meh. Why? Does the transfer rate REALLY mean that much to you? As to a WWAN... In the day and age of wwan hotspots, I find the integrated wwan a bit of a throwback. I have an Gobi 2000 in my CF-31 that I could activate but a Verizon hotspot is cheaper and more functional as I can also use my iPad through it plus others around me can connect if needed/wanted. I put a bug chunk od industrial Velcro on the side of my laptop and another patch on the bottom of the hotspot. When they are attached... You cannot know it off... You must pull hard and twist it off.

I think the twin antenna system for the wifi is awesome and with a better card you would see twice the SSIDs you see now. Even with an external antenna.. .I think the loss would outweigh the gain.

Why do you need a *faster* GPS? The EM408 is plenty fast. It is easy to mod in also.
Why do you want a faster Bluetooth?
Why a 3 Watt booster?

 

guess i just need to take a drive test with my laptop on my seat and see how well the gps does. it might be ok as i can get the gps from my living room window but its very random. as far as the serial port goes guess i just need to save up someday and buy the software to split the gps data but that might take a few months for me to come up with the 130.00 for the software sorry i didn't get back sooner some reason this wasn't sending me emails with new posts

 

how do i know what gps unit i have?

 

these are both pictures of the two ports i can find that looks like antenna ports maybe you can tell me what they are. the first one is on the verizon sled 2nd picture is on the back of laptop. you can see on 2nd picture there is a little metal port next to the docking station connector

 

All good points Toughbook; It is not always about faster processing speed. I would say a more consistent link in a mobile environment with a strong dependable communication no matter what device you're using.

Panisonic or better yet all laptops, notebooks are restricted to it's success to the local environment. Sitting in my dock station or on a guys front seat traveling across this great country is the challenge I am addressing.

Digital communication is a two way street. Adding a high powered internal card is addressing one way communication (more transmit power). OK I understand the reception is increased as well from a better built card. One need to hear/receive as far as the can speak/transmit rule of thumb. In my aplication 15 feet or more with cable with a potential signal loss is a real issue. The cost of a USB external device has very little line loss at 15 or even 20 feet comparable.

MY example of getting a $25 cell antenna with a $12 to 20 dollar connector, versus a used Wilson unit is not that much more money. For an external antenna/better reception and 3 watts output/ better transmit verses a 1/2 watt phone or wann card. Plus not antenna to computer issues. From what I have seen and read, yes I can get good or even just ok signal across the mostly flat planes in the midwest. I don't really have a big issue with dropped call as some may have. But the people around here complain plenty of download speed fluctuation tremendously all depending on signal strength.

 

I still say my toughbook MK1 is one of my favorite computers and i own a lot of newer stuff

 

Sorry pdnakita; I am just a beginner here so I am sure I may need correcting. It appears to me in photo 1 you have a broke off power switch for the wann slead. The second photo is the single bypass antenna usually WANN designed for a docking station. It is called a bypass connection because without an antenna connected to it the signal automatically coming through the on board antenna. (top left side of screen).

The original internal GPS on my CF30 was very slow. I went with this and love it.

GlobalSat BU 353 Waterproof USB GPS Receiver 710348180332 | eBay

 

power switch is on the front of laptop. when i hit this power switch it turns my sled on and off. I wish this sled was more then 1x service but i can't find any upgrades to upgrade it to EVDO

 

I have to agree about your comment of loving your TB mk1. I waited many years not getting a laptop when I could have many others. I liked the concept of built it better built it tough.

I have had cell phones since 1995 and have tried many. I have keep my latest phone because it works in my application. its not fancy I call it a retarded phone in comparison to todays phones. It is a Motorola Tundra, I recently spent time in and out of the hospital with my dying father. I could walk on the hospital elevator on the phone with many others on their phone as well. When the door closed all other phones dropped off. My Tundra stayed connected. When working on the farm scooping out grain bins a all steel 60 foot wide bin with a tiny hole at the top and small door my phone still has service. My lawn mower is a 14 years old Dixie Chopper with 4300 hours. It has 3 air cleaner, 2 motor oil coolers, 2 motor oil filters, plus 2 hydro oil filters a one hydro cooler. NO one makes one like it today. My desire for a toughbook is to works in the same way. Built to take a beating but built to work..

 

I may be wrong here but I think the switch out front turns on both WANN and Wifi. The side switch would disable the WANN but leave on the wifi.

My sled is a Rev-A witch is 3G compatible, I have a simple data only card (simm) that gives me access to internet service. AT&T data only service added to my current plan was a lot cheaper than I thought. You must have a Rev-0 (2G or 1x or better know as SLOW data ok for voice) that can be upgraded to EVDO with a Rev-A sled. Depending on your location. I see several on ebay recently thats where i got mine.

 

Hate double posting.....

 

someone must have done a mod because when the switch up front is off i still have wifi. i don't use the sled internet anyways because i use a 15.00 a month hotspot when i need verizon but still would be nice someday to upgrade that. thanks to the user on here called "Toughbook" i been able to get some of his parts and do a wifi upgrade and a speaker upgrade to my CF-29. Mobile Hotspot Flashed to Verizon Prepaid Unlimited 3G Internet MiFi 2200 4510 | eBay

 

@ pdnakita
Referring to your original post. Did you look at: GpsGate Client - Products - GpsGate.com ?
It is free and will absolutely allow you to send data from one GPS to several separate applications at the same time. I have had as many as 3 applications open at 1 time on split screens.
CAP

 

thank you i will have to try to play with it some when it's not 3:30am lol

 

The switch (in your picture) on the front handles the WWAN only.... Not the wifi.

 

if i had the money this would be a cool upgrade to my laptop. it already has a gps but its a very older type of gps that is kind of slow to start up. this would be a fun upgrade to do

GPS Kit for Panasonic Toughbook CF 29 Aftermarket DIY MT3329 | eBay

 

Don't blow your money on that... Make your own kit and save over half!

 

I was wonder after i posted this link. couldn't you just buy a gps chipset of choice and replace the factory one? would this be an easy plug and play switch?

 

It is if you have your GPS prewired to go in. The EM408 requires that you either do away with your WWAN sled and install a regular MW cover... Or install the GPS on the WWAN sled and use the LCD mount for the antenna.

I used to mount my GPS antennas in the palmrest exactly like the OEM... I just used a better GPS engine and antenna.

 

I guess sometimes i need to just tear into it and see where and how the factory gps is mounted. i get bored a lot and been doing a lot of research on CF-29 upgrades and information on these laptops lol. and i already have my gps antenna coming out of the top of my screen.

 

is my gps mounted on my sled? if not where would it be?


View attachment 108908

 

Disregard my posting, I did NOT realize there were 3 pages to read...interesting though.

 

my CF-29 is CF-29CQKGJKM 3LKYA11473 does look like GPSgateclient and Serial Port Splitter programs will both do what i need. now just have to wait for the smart people to get on lol to answer about my sled pictures just above

 

Yes... Your GPS is mounted to the sled if the pictures are accurate.

What do you want?... Superior GPS signal?... Superior WWAN? (get a good hotspot)... Superior WIFI? (you have the 8602+S)...

What are you looking for?

(If you tell me Justin Beiber I will stop responding!)

 

I have good hotspot. i have good wifi thanks to you lol. now the only thing i would like left is a better gps chipset. i'm willing to get rid of the verizon aircard as i don't use it anyways if there is a better gps system i can put in sled in place of the verizon chipset

 

picture ??....no picture there now

 

strange Toughbook user seen it but yes its gone again. I'm going to be hated by the time i get done with all my upgrading questions. the only thing left i need to do is get better gps. here is the picture again

 

You won't be hated... You will be informed!

My advice is to pull out the OEM GPS and WWAN and sell it on ebay. Then install your own custom GPS. You would need a new WM cover to replace your WWAN and the GPS and antenna.

Easy, peezy, (Enter rhyme here!)

 

just found this. seems like a good gps with easy marked pin out also has a battery add on

Flora Wearable Ultimate GPS Module ID: 1059 - $39.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

 

even has this one Adafruit Ultimate GPS Breakout - 66 channel w/10 Hz updates [Version 3] ID: 746 - $39.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

 

buy a Ublox on ebay.... Better, cheaper

 

took the toughbook with internal GPS for drive test today for first time. not bad 11 out of 12 gps signal. not bad for a gps built inside of a laptop sitting on the seat