GPS problem with CF30

Hello there! Newbie here. I searched the forum first and found a thread with a similar issue from 2008 but the solution did not work for me. So here goes: I work for a local law enforcement agency and just went live with a new mobile application on our CF-30s. Problem we're having is that some are and several are not displaying their GPS position. If we hyperterm into the gps at COM3, (4800, 8, N, 1) we’re getting two different data streams from identically configured CF-30s (same model CF-30KCPRQ2B). One gives us four sentences (GPGGA, GPGSA, GPRMC, GPVTG) and the other only two (GPGGA, GPVTG). Our mapping application works with the four sentences. Anyone know how to get the other two sentences out of the other? Thanks in advance.

-pete

 

What I would do is use a GPS utility to either hot start, warm start or cold start the recalcitrant units. Again that is what I would do. (and have done) Some forums advise using care when doing a factory restart. A close quote is that "sending information to the GPS could ""Break It"""
A simple utility that will perform a cold start is "GPS Information 1.1" and later versions. Also here is a quote (not mine) from a forum in 2005

I added this as I see no vtg sentences on a machine running on my other knee.
Welcome to the circus and g'luck to you. Someone that knows something will be along soon.

 

In order to communicate with the GXB5005 Sony GPS which should be the factory standard for the CF30 you must send the command "CRLF" at 4800 baud. Then to factory reset the unit send the command "@CLR". That should reset the unit and make it output the 4 strings which is should do by default. I found a GPS program that let me do this and I confirmed the commands work.

Jason

 

Thanks for the replies guys! Jason, are you allowed to share the name of the GPS program you found or is it against forum rules? Sorry, newb here.
-pete

 

It is Fastrax GPS Workbench 4. Connect to the gps at your com port (probably 3) and at 4800 baud. Once connected you want to go to NMEA Command Interface window. From there select IT03-Series Receiver in the drop down, uncheck the box that says automatic prefix. Now in that box type CRLF and then click execute. That should put the gps in command mode. The type @CLR and that should reset the gps to defaults. You should see some text in the scroll that give a reply to the command. The date on the GPS should reset to 2003 if it was successful. There is a clock on the first screen that popped up when you connected that shows date/time. Should see 2003 there. Hopefully you will see all four strings now.

Jason

 

You will probably want to use this command instead:

I learned even more. The @NC command actually turns on and off each of the 7 possible NMEA strings sent by the GPS. If turned on it sets the interval to how often it is reported. From the manual:

Usage method
@NC dddddddd
d: [0|1|2|5]

Explanation
This command sets the output intervals for individual NMEA
sentences (GGA, GLL, GSA, GSV, RMC, VTG, ZDA) and SONY
original sentence PSGSA.
The command requires 8 integer values (0, 1, 2, 5). The first number
indicates the GGA output interval; the second indicates the GLL
output interval; the third indicates the GSA output interval; the
fourth indicates the GSV output interval; the fifth indicates the
RMC output interval; the sixth indicates the VTG output interval;
the seventh indicates the ZDA output interval; and the eighth
indicates the PSGSA output interval. There are four different
interval settings: 0, 1, 2, and 5. If 0 is set, the message is not output.

 

Semi hijack here... I'm a CF30 mk2 GPS newb too.

OEM GPS in my CF30F is lagging fairly badly. I've run both iGuidance and MS Streets & Trips 2011 and the locator is at least 10 seconds behind. So I come up to a stoplight, and the map still thinks I'm a good 100m behind and shows I'm slowing down... I've been running other GPS units since 2003 and the lag is usually just 2-3 seconds which is expected but this is too much. Is this normal for the CF30 GPS?

 

I can say that the Sony GXB5005 in my CF-19 MK3 doesnt have that much of a delay. I have a Motorola MW810 that has a factory built in Trimble GPS that has at least a 5 second lag even though its programmed for 1 second intervals. I wish I knew why there was such a huge lag but I haven't figured it out yet. I understand your pain.

Jason