CF-30 Internal GPS problem

Since this is a little more technical than the other CF-30 thread, I thought I'd start this.

I am having a problem with the internal GPS that came with a CF-30. At one point (on another CF-30), the GPS would transmit all the NMEA sentences that I need for the software I am running (Motorola's PMDC), and everything was fine. However, on another Toughbook, the software isn't getting the NMEA sentence $GPVTG, which tracks speed and track made good. I viewed the data stream coming from the GPS via hyperterminal, and can specifically see that sentence missing. I am getting other NMEA sentences, but not that one which PMDC needs for speed.

I did see a registry update for the GPS on Panasonic's website, and applied it, but I am still unable to get the $GPVTG sentence.

I saw in other posts a mention of a filter, but that was for the CF-29. I couldn't find anything like that for the CF-30. Is there something like that out there?

Anybody know if there is a configuration setting, or a BIOS setting to fix my headache?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

There are two registry entries that are supposed to be applied. You click on the EXE file and it creates C:\UTIL2\GPS and there are two registry entries that must both be double clicked on to get them installed in the registry. If these aren't installed the GPS won't work properly. There have been some who think they just need to install to the directory and then didn't go in the folder to double click on the two files. Just making sure you did.

If you have you'll need to wait for Zero to show up. He's the brains for the CF-30, et al.

 

I did get that registry file, and when I double-clicked on it, it asked me if I wanted to apply it, and then it came up with an error saying that not all components could be applied as it was in use. I disabled the GPS in the BIOS, and tried again, but it still would not work.

I went into the registry editor, and looked at the path that it (skipenum.reg) goes to, and it appeared everything was in there already. However, my basic knowledge of registry entries, I could be wrong that it was applied already. I ran the executable for the GPS on the Panasonic website, but it only created the one registry.

I'm going to stand outside for a half hour or so to see if the sentence I need starts kicking in. I'm assuming that the sentences will only be transmitted when data is used for them. Worth a shot anyway.

Thanks again!

 

Sorry.. You were correct. There is only one registry entry on the CF-30. The CF-29 has 2 files.

It should reinstall even though it is already there.

Zero should be along in a few hours. He'll get to the bottom of it!

Good luck and please keep us up on what happens.

 

I did get a response from Panasonic. I haven't tried it yet, but there is a way to configure the device through hyperterminal.

In case anybody else runs across this, this is their response. (They did send me a text document, which is titled NC.txt, and just had "@NC 11011100" in it. Without the quotes. Also, a carriage return needs to be at the end of it, as it won't recognize the process setup in step 2 below.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes it can be enabled to output VTG

The procedure below is for the Sony Module only (CF-30mk1 and CF-30mk2 until 6/08).

The procedure to enable VTG sentence output:

1) COM Port setting

Using Hyper terminal and text file.

Connect COM3
Configure... 4800 / 8 / None / 1 / None => OK

2) ASCII Setup(in HyperTerminal)

file => properties => Settings => ASCII Setup...
=> check (Send line ends with line feeds)
=> OK => OK

3) Send a command

During receiving NMEA data,
menu bar => Transfer => Send TXT File...=> NC.txt (attached)
(attached NC.txt copy to desktop )

If the above worked you can see following log data
in HyperTerminal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know this is pretty technical, and I can't verify any of the above. In other words, play at your own risk.

Thanks TB for your help!

**UPDATE** Those instructions worked perfectly! I now get the sentence I was missing, and the software I am using is happy again. I originally didn't have a carriage return after the line in the text file, and it wouldn't take at first. When I looked at it again (and step 2 in the instructions), and put the CR in, everything worked perfectly.

 

Tada!

That's a weird way of doing it but hey, if it works it works. I was going to tell you to do a send command with "$PGRMO,GPVTG,1" which is NMEA speak for "turn on VTG sentences".

 

Thanks Zero.
I'm treading on some new ground here, and already saved this forum to one of my favorites.
I work with a bunch of law enforcement agencies, and they decided that they wanted GPS in the squads, so dispatch can see where the vehicles are at.
Since this is new for us, I got some learning to do. I'm working with 20+ agencies to get this going, so I appreciate all your help.

Since you brought it up, would the send command be easier? (Sounds like it to me.) Since there is a possibility of running into this again with many more, where do I need to be to send that command?

Thanks again.

 

Draven422... Welcome to the forum. You might as well make this your home page! This stuff is addictive!!! You won't find a more knowledgeable group of Toughbook aficionados anywhere else on the web! THAT is for sure!