Let's Make This The FINAL Word on GPS and Gobi...

Okay cats and kittens... I have done A LOT of searching trying to find out more about the GPS on the Gobi 2000. I just bought a CF-H1 Field Version which is pretty slick. I think, for me, it would be useless without a fairly reliable GPS system installed.

I can get the system to lock on maybe 4-5 satellites if the tablet is sitting on my deck railing outside. There is 100% NO SHOT at getting anything to lock while indoors.

So... Even after I have heard, "Just add an external antenna to it!" ... it seems like that is a no-go on several website I have visited. From what I have heard the word is... Gobi GPS sucks... Get over it or install your own. Before I do that I figured that I would post here.

Has anyone successfully added an external GPS antenna to the Gobi 200 WWAN card?

 

I've got an envelope full of those around here somewhere...probably with my Gym membership card. Seriously I did find antennas on eBay but I haven't tried one yet. I did take a gobi 2000 card out of an H1 not long ago (needed it to put standalone gps in a 53.(it gets 6 sats at my kitchen table) and it supposedly has Gps too. I guess I could fire it up and see if it's something different than the gobi at work there...

 

An envelope of???? GPS antennas that you tried?

I have the perfect antenna for it... I actually have a few different types. I would be willing to forgo the WWAN capabilities and hook up the GPS instead of the WWAN antennas but I don't think the Gobi 2000 is wired for an active patch antenna.

My thoughts were to mod in a CF-19 OEM GPS antenna housing on the outside of the CF-H1. There are lots of good spots for the location. But unless the AUX U.fl connection works to drive a stand-alone GPS antenna... I am doubtful of success.

Anyone have the schematics for this puppy? I have the Service Manual already....

 

Well in that case, why not scrap the Gobi and put in a mini pcie Ublox from the bay for $9.00?

 

Yes antennas...I checked my H1 and it must be dedicated Gps in mine since I did remove the Gobi 2000 card. Wish I would have taken a better look around in there when I had it open...
Model Number:
CF-H1CSMDGGM
Status:
DISCONTINUED
MSRP:
$4,799
Description: WinXP Tablet (Win7 COA), Intel Atom Z540 1.86GHz, Field Elite, 10.4" XGA Dual Touch, 64GB SSD, 2GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth, No Drive, Fingerprint, 2MP Cam, Insertable Smartcard, GPS, 2D Bar, Gobi

 

I was trying to retain the Gobi... (I'll probably end up reselling it eventually) But that is an excellent suggestion! Thanks Shawn...

 

I think who we need here now is Mr.GPS himself....Teo :wink: If anyone can figure it out it would be him.

 

I've read Teo's prior posts about this very subject. There was some discussion about getting a mixed WWAN/GPS antenna but it wouldn't work. Likewise for the iPad type antenna... Nobody could get it to work... Here or on other forums.

I went with Shawn's suggestion and bought a PCI-e...

Almost... I disabled the Gobi and GPS is then gone. The GPS in the CF-H1 IS the Gobi 2000...

 

CF-19 R Gobi 2000 good.
CF-53 Gobi 2000 better.
Neither as good as active patch.
CF-30 Gobi mediocre. Same for CF-29 with the same sled. I know it can't be done but I did it anyway. (w/Fujitsu Gobi and drivers)

I'm looking forward to you (Rick) finding a decent antenna. I'm wondering what they did with the CF-53 antennas. Weaker signal (slightly) but sees more birds. Locks up from the kitchen table in center of house under tin roof.

Totally FWIW. <<<<<<<<<

Jeff

 

I already know what I am going to do and how I will mod the CF-H1... I just need to get the GPS card first. But I already have the parts on hand to do this mod. It should work like a charm! I'll post pics when finished along with the results.

The problem I have is that I have 4 Toughbooks on eBay for sale. I have another 7 waiting for mods or for parting out. Nice units... I have this never-ending need to modify... If I can't come home and solder or mod... I get bored.

I love working on these things!

 

GOBI 2000 GPS on an H1/H2 is basically non-existent... TERRIBLE connection. Antennas are buried.

Thanks!

 

You're right Rob! Buried. The Gobi card is located on the back left side as you are facing the front of the screen.

I just took my CF-H1 apart. For those of you trying this... You need to remove the obvious screws around the edge, then 2 small screws under the hard drive caddy port cover, then 1 last screw inside the AC Adapter port cover. Then it will slowly separate as you pull it apart.

My first thought was that I would need to add a CF-18/19 GPS bump-out to the side or back... But it looks like I would easily be able to fit the antenna in any number of places in the handle. I'll need to experiment. The outer casing of the CF-H1 is not magnesium... The inner structure is. The casing looks to be metalized plastic or anodized plastic. I'll need to play around with antenna placement to see if this will affect the signal. If it does then I would think I have two options... Shave off the metalized outer finish or add the CF-18/19 GPS bump-out like originally planned.

I'll know more when I get my Ublox GPS card. The Gobi looks easy to pop out and transfer to one of my CF-30s.

I'll post my results in a new thread. I think the original question I asked has been answered... You don't add a GPS antenna to the Gobi card.

 

hey Sadlmkr, I just purchased a Qualcom 3g with gps that apparently came off a Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 Embeds Expedite GTM378 + GPS . I installed it on my cf-53 mk2 but windows device driver is not seeing it. I know on the cf-52 you have to turn on the small dip swiches. can you please
let me know if i'm missing a step.. thanks..

 

I know this is a bit of an old thread, but I wanted to share my latest results.

I am typing this on a CF-19 MK1, 4 GB RAM, 120 GB SSD, touch, GOBI 2000, rubber keyboard.

I have fought for the last two days getting the Gobi to work under Windoze XP Pro, but have complete success. Both the high speed data (T-Mobile, 1000-2000 kbps with one bar signal strength) and GPS (Delorme Street Atlas 2009, 10 sats, 1.0 DOP or better, indoors, not next to a window) are working with internal antennas.

Using Sierra Wireless 'OneClick Internet' for the connection manager.

Dip switches are the same for the Expidite EU870D (previous modem I had in this machine).

Drivers/install process? I went through numerous, and if anyone wants the gruesome details, let me know...

Brian
KE6IYC

 

Do I smell a "How To" post in the offing?

 

If I can remember how I did it, sure

Brian
KE6IYC

 

You must be an OLD Ham and not a young Ham! LOL

 

For a 'how-to", see here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...terface-one-users-experience.html#post9767839

Brian
KE6IYC