GPS for n00bs (I'm the noob)

I've been perusing the interwebs for a while now trying to find answers to my questions, but haven't had much luck. I just got a new-to-me CF-29 without GPS. I have an external GPS antenna for my vehicle. I have found bits and pieces of useful information here and there, but I'm so new to this that I don't know how/where to use it.

SO. Can y'all please gently enlighten me on how the GPS in these functions, and specifically, what I need and how to install my antenna. All I know is that GPS cards exist, but I don't (think) I have one. The external antenna needs to be active? Trying to get antenna specs.

My Toughbook is a CF-29LAQGZBM with Windows 10 (and thus a non-functional touchscreen :[ )

 

Sadlmker is our resident CF29 man...He will be along to assist.

CF29 gps was on the WWAN sled...External antenna connection is through a dock or you have to add the sma connector yourself..

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook forum

This is what you have for a CF-29...

Model Number : CF-29LAQGZBM
Status : DISCONTINUED MSRP : $4,823
Description: Intel Pentium M 778 1.6GHzLV (Centrino),13.3" Touch XGA,512MB,80GB, Intel 802.11a+b+g, WIN XP SP2, Emissive Backlit Keyboard, No Drive
As you can see it has no GPS installed when it left the factory unless it was added later on. Why do you think you have one ??

 

If you are thinking this antenna is for GPS it is not.

This is the best way to get it on a 29 and the price is right

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CF29-Touch-...gged-Laptop-/271954989921?hash=item3f51c7d361

 

Sorry, let me clarify, the antenna I have is an external NMO antenna for my vehicle with an SMA connector. That's what I want to use. So if I get a dock, do I have to do some sort of mapping to make sure my GPS antenna is being routed to the right place? I don't currently have a dock, so is there a simpler, easier way?

I intend to use it for Google Earth and MapPoint

 

I never done this myself but wait until Jeff comes around later and he should be able to help you

 

Simple is relative to your skills..

Here is what I did for an external antenna connection for wifi but gps would be the same.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/rewirering-the-pass-through.518338/#post6707380

Here's what I did with the pass thru.
Ignore the roughness of the plastic. I used my plastic welder to add some material. It's hidden inside and cleaning it up wasn't needed.
Now I can connect an ext antenna for my WLAN. I jumpered it so I maintain the use of both internal antenna's. In the future I may get a dual pass thru and get real creative. GPS or WWAN sharing the antennas with WLAN. I would need to check frequencies and such first.




another member did the same thing here
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-29-pigtail-addition.391434/#post4976628

 

this is pricy but it's a ublox....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GPS-kit-for...805?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51d4aa1b05

here is an original cf29 gps sled..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-Toughbook-CF-29-GPS-module-sled-/131575130298?hash=item1ea27d28ba

 

What type of connector is on the back? I see it, but I don't know what it's called. I'd rather make an adapter than rip it out. And then the wire goes from the connector to??? The GPS sled? And sled goes in the 2 open slots I have above the SD card slot?

 

I think you might want to ask yourself is this something you can do ? How do you feel about digging into this 29. Shawn loves this stuff...if you only knew some of the stuff he has done it would blow your mind. If I was you I would pickup a nice CF-30 or even a CF-19 with GPS already installed. You will not need any external antenna. You will thank me in th end. This 29 will cost you more in the long run . The other way is pickup a usb gps like this one.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Holux-GR-21...r-Fast-Post-/261973805875?hash=item3cfedb0b33

 

yep ... all things are relative .

if you have any doubt as to the application of your skills it is best to try an easier answer first :
the "ublox" is a better answer than the usb-dongle-hanging-off-the-machine ... one less thing to go *snap* .
i have used a ublox in my '30 (it is similar to your machine) ... i like it very much .
it has worked inside ... no external antenna needed ... unless your vehicle is an armored car or a tank)
it does require some *elective surgery* but no hard modifications to the case whatsoever .

as TAN said , the price on that machine he linked to is a pretty good deal ... ready to rock-n-roll .
you could always sell your '29 to offset the cost .

 

I'm totally down to rip this thing all apart and do whatever! I just haven't ever worked with one before, so I'd like to know what to avoid before I get into it. And I would get something else, but I picked this up for $50, so I've got some money to spend before I reach the cost a CF-30 with GPS would cost me. I'm gonna tear into it probably tomorrow or over the weekend just to get familiar.

Docks are cheap. If I were to get one, I would still need the GPS sled, correct? And where does the 5V for an active antenna come from?

 

Yes you will still need one. Someone here might have one here...maybe.

 

Jeff may.....he was talking about a sled the other day.
We need to find out if yours is WWAN ready or not..
5v will come from the gps module.

 

I read through the gps section three times....then asked in my first post..."what's a sled"? lol...nobody answered...

We will help, but you need to read too. It's better than T.V.

Jeff

BTW I don't check previous posts daily...if you want me..PM.

 

Here is a link to the big thread on adding cf29 gps.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/adding-aftermarket-internal-gps-to-the-cf-29.241494/

The sled slides in to the slot above the battery. Approximately 3" x 3/8". Some units have the connector inside and some do not.
This is a gps sled....

 

Just for more information about the project, below is a link for the external antenna I'll be using. Once you look at the specs, you'll see why I don't just want to use internal antennas or a usb dongle!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g77aq8wndv1vyxj/GPSB [V3].pdf?dl=0

 

That sled needs a "wireless ready" computer which is composed of rails to hold the sled and the cable to power it. Visible parts shown in Shawn's image. Part of what a "full model number tells us".
I can't read the fine print but this looks like the PCB that has a USB connector under it. If so I've run CF-30 OEM GPS from that USB.
Not important...just yaddling.

 

Why does mine look different? I took off the black cover and there was stuff underneath.

Image links:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1eDFHpmaousLXNob043Z0t5VnM/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1eDFHpmaousQXRRYkJ3aXJRbTg/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1eDFHpmaousM0ZLU3JvZEpiMUk/view?usp=sharing

There's a bunch of stuff taped down where the sled would go.

 

Someones been in there mucking about.

Show us a picture with the bottom off. Sorry missed the shot with bottom off. end edit

The copper is a "ground plane?" that's a gps antenna. Interesting shot.

Unknown how it is powered. Do you see gps in bios?

I don't see rails. And yes I do have sleds.

Jeff
EDIT2 pull the caddy....I wanna see where they grabbed power.
OH, I see it now, the wide ribbon should go under the cage and tie in left of the ram. EDIT3

 

Here's a closer link of the taped-in stuff.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1eDFHpmaousbEFha0JTczFWSzg/view?usp=sharing

 

Well my load of hay arrived. See ya.

Good luck.

 

That's a decent external antenna....
..In order to easily and cheaply use your external antenna, .......I would drill a hole in the outer edge of the sled and mount the FME gps antenna connector you need directly on the sled. This makes for a short antenna cable and an easy setup.



.................

 

So we have now determined that there is some sort of GPS inside. I also found GPS in the bios and changed the setting from 'AUTO' to 'ENABLE'. But how I make it work now? What do I need to do in windows to install it?

 

Your GPS simply outputs the nmea data over a serial (com) port. There are no drivers needed. Just fire up your gps software (if you don't have any, mapsphere is free) and it should just work. If you have a problem with the mouse jumping around (sometimes windows detects the GPS as a serial mouse) there is a registry fix you should be able to find with some googling.

 

I know of the mouse issue. I fired up MapPoint 2013 which lists a comport in the GPS setup, but I'm not getting anything. So apparently I need to troubleshoot the random GPS components. What do I even look for/test/meter?

 

Also, after looking through the first few pages of the link posted a few pages ago, it looks like I have the exact mod that's shown, using the CN-18 port. But, it's not working.

 

It looks like your not afraid of a camera...
Can we get a shot of your expanded view of com ports in device manager?
1. GPS in bios means system "sees" the GPS....IOW it's wired pretty close to right.
2. I use GPSinfo.exe in XP and W7.
3. Or a Linux LiveCD...if you have one.
4. Here it is for M$ "Winfast Navigator" I'm guessing 4800 or 9600 baud.

Shawn, I had the link but it went missing.

I have cables in my shop that look like this. VERY nice work. Have either Teo (Ohlip) or Toughbook seen this?

 

Nathan...I'm working with a CF-31 w/ no touchpad (in Linux) like being hand-cuffed. Can't remember when I used a USB Mouse last.
PM if you think a phone call would help.

Good luck.

 

Here is a shot of Device Manager. I played around with the bios settings to see if I would have any luck, but got nothing. I reset them back to default. I also used hyper terminal to try and connect to com ports 1 and 3. 1 showed nothing, 3 gave me an error.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1eDFHpmaousNkJYaFhvN1EtMjQ/view?usp=sharing

 

I have seen this type of GPS setup before but can't remember who had it. Check this link out. It's how to setup a "Custom-Toughbook" GPS kit. It might help you out...

 

I could not remember "Winfast"...here's the link.
http://www.brothersoft.com/winfast-navigator-300219.html

When I saw it I figured it was built by Teo or Rick...I'm guessing Rick(Toughbook)

I guess I need to find "the missing link" Ha ha ha....
http://www.custom-toughbooks.com/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&cPath=63&products_id=167

 

Ok I am tired. I could not figured out what you meant until I checked my last post.

 

Wow, that link is exactly what has been done to this computer! Dead on. In a while I'll pull it back open and go through it all. My antenna is no longer attached to the ground plane, so I'll have to fix that.

 

Yes sir ...We've been to this rodeo once before...

Take the time and read this thread..It's long, http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/adding-aftermarket-internal-gps-to-the-cf-29.241494/ but it's worth it...

 

SSSSCCCCCOOOOOORRRRREEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It works!!!!!!! Now the next part of the process. I want to be able to use my external antenna, either by adding in a connector, or by getting a dock. Also, I "accidentally" bought a sled on ebay for $30...

UPDATE - Now it's not really working again. I put my computer all back together and the GPS receiver seems to be working ok, it's showing decent signal strength, but I can't get any satellites or location. It was working fine before!

 

Let's change it to com 7. Can do?

Was it coming up on com3? I need to fire up a W7 or something......warming up...

Is the tip of the antenna touching anything? That's the purpose for the rubber doughnut.

Device Manager >com ports>com3?>right click >Port settings....restore defaults...should be 9600 8 N 1

Click Advanced. Change com3 to com7....W7 shows com ports in use. If 7 is in use chose another. O.K. your way out. Restart....twice.

 

Antenna is not touching anything. I unplugged the antenna and then the GPS string turned into crazy nonsense that I could recover. So I took it all apart again, uninstalled the ribbon cable, etc. Turned the computer back on, made sure it didn't show up in bios. So far so good. Turned it back off, reinstalled it all, turned the computer on, reconfigured everything, and now it work again. Now I'm afraid that if I restart the computer, I'll lose it again. Let's find out! *restarting*

 

Alright, I restarted 3 times. Once with AC plugged in, once on battery, then I put it all back together and started, and it still works! Hopefully it'll stay that way. So, back to the issue at hand. Adding an external antenna.

 

read my old thread.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/external-gps-antenna-connector-mod-for-cf30.736824/

 

Great.
Was it com3?
Shawn has done a lot with those antennas.
About ten more take aparts and you'll need new screws.

And there he is. edit

 

I already broke a screw today. Oops! And Shawn, I read that thread. Cool what you did. Not much in the way of instructions. The pictures you posted in your last post on this thread, what is that? I saw a thingy that had a 'main' and 'aux' antenna port near my wireless adapter. Is that what it is? I want to be able to automagically switch to the external antenna, or be able to use both at the same time. Is that possible? Also, where can I find the little antenna cable if I want to add a jack?

Sadlmkr, I think the comport issues I was having is because I went back and renamed some ports like an idiot, and after that everything went downhill. Now it's all fixed.

 

Here is a photo of the main part needed. These are cheap on ebay...I'll find a link.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIRELESS-AN...177?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item235532b259
Solder a jumper wire like I show on the photo.
Once that is done, unplug the existing GPS antenna...
Plug the pictured board into the GPS.
Plug the existing antenna into the board.
When you get a connector and pigtail that mates to your external antenna, connect it to the other connector on the pictured board.
looks like you will have to go UFL to SMA and get a simple SMA to FME adapter.
The connectors are called UFL



This is a UFL to SMA pigtail. This will plug into the new board and mount to the laptop case.

This is FME to SMA adapter. It screws on the new SMA port and your external GPS antenna screws into it.

 

Sweet. I wish I could find the board on amazon prime, cuz I'm impatient. But I guess I'll have to wait. Now I gotta find a place to add the connector. So by adding a jumper to the board, you combine those inputs, correct? Will the two antennas stomp on each other?

Also, if I decide to someday get the dock, is it possible to make the external antenna connect through that? As if I were using the factory GPS sled.

 

I hope all you'all know the value of the information that Shawnster the search ninja is sending out here.
OP (original poster)knows as he is a mechanic. This is directed at the lurkers...you are welcome BTW...My friend Shawn is to be respected for his invaluable information gained from hours/days reading and assimilating this information and then being able to "ask the right question" in Google or whatever to find original post/text/information. Or these GREAT images.
I am honored to have him call me friend.
I wax poetic when I'm cooking.

J'd ...turning the patties...

 

Thanks Jeff...I do have a lot of time and effort invested in this seemingly simple question..

 

Hey boys !

As some of your know we had our own CF-29 GPS kits on eBay that we discontinued to low demand and because of the
fact that CF-30 are so cheap now... If anyone needs a GPS corner cover only for CF-29 we still have some left over.

The location is awesome for excellent signal strength.

If you're interested Just send us $10 to cover the Canada Post Mafia shipping cost + box + time. This offer will just be only for August. 1 per member unless you're one of the guru's here I can throw in a few more... (you know who you are)

Hope all is well, and if none of you have ever tried paintball... you MUST try it ! The most addictive sport ever !!!

Stay frosty !

Later.

 

Those are sweet plastic covers!

And Shawn, thanks a TON. You enlightened me on something I never even knew existed, I had no idea where to start. If you PM me your paypal info I'd be more than happy to send you a little compensation for your info.

I've been busy working on other stuff and haven't worked on the toughbook much in a few days. The GPS has been very reliable, I use it every day. I typically get between 6 and 11 satellites. The next step is to start ordering parts. I'm having a really hard time finding a local business that can make me an antenna cable though.

 

Here's a tiny update, I know it's been forever. I've been using the internal GPS antenna ever since I got it working a month or so ago and I've had almost no problems. I usually get between 6 and 10 satelites. I also got all the parts in the mail, the SMA pigtail and the little antenna card. I then realized that my internal antenna and GPD engine have an MMCX connection, not that little tiny one. So I got order some different parts now. I'll post updates as I do more stuff. Hope everyone is well! Happy Fall!