GPS Tech - Common GPS issues

[Will Campbell]

My streaming setup through iMap is as stated above. iMap uses a com port, GR uses a com port, but SN gets my position by me uploading to the buddy tracker server. I'm sure there's different ways to get it all set up, this is merely the way I have it. I wouldn't allocate a full com to SN anyways, as it usually gets back seated to cell phones and HAM. Just my $0.02

 

[Matt Tottle]

Exactly, what works for you isn't what's going to be best for me. I don't use iMap, but I do stream with SevereStudios, which runs their maps off SN, so I need to run their client. My ham radio does have APRS (which SN can also track), but I don't want to tie up one side of the radio for that unless I'm in a data dead zone. The only other thing I run is GR3, so I could use Express no problem.. Except I already bought the standard version, so the point is moot - I can use however many programs I need to..

(And I think you're misunderstanding the COM port.. In today's computing, you aren't using it for actual communication over the internet - that's what your data card is for. The COM port in this case is just the virtual connection between the program and the GPS antenna. You don't report over the SN client, all it does is take your GPS coordinates and relay it to SN so you show up on the map. In your case, iMap is already doing that and reporting to WDT, and since your SN and WDT accounts are linked, running the SN client is just redundant because SN already has your location. Any reports you make via SN go out over the web via your data card and have nothing to do with the COM ports..)

 

[Will Campbell]

Right, misworded my statement perhaps. I'm aware of the virtual com ports. I meant I don't want to tie my 2 up with SN app for reports, because it is done through other means. Meaning I disable SN and leave my virtual coms for GR and iMap. But then I always forget that I can submit reports through iMap...hah. I just hate fumbling with my laptop in the heat of battle. Phone/Ham wins.

 

[David Wolfson]

... Continuing update on in-vehicle GPS with the iPad.... The Bad Elf GPS (CF-flash sized plug in) is history and I don't recommend it for mobile use. I accidentally parked leaving it exposed to the Arizona sun and the protective shell came unglued and then apart when unplugged. I replaced it with the Dual XGPS150 Bluetooth GPS (~$90 at Amazon.com) which has stood up to a certain amount of Arizona cooking and continued to work quite well. The XGPS150 has an internal Li-ion battery good for many hours or indefinitely if hooked up to a USB supply. The Bluetooth pairs and holds the connection flawlessly in my experience.

 

[Marcus Diaz]

Old thread but didn't want to open a new one for my question. Just wondering if anyone has a good GPS tracking app for Android?

 

[Mark Eslick]

@Marcus Diaz, I tried an app for my Note 4, but it was completely glitchy. So I got my money back.

As for GPSGate, it is bugging out on my Windows 8.1 laptop. I never had to buy it when using Windows 7, I assume it has to do with the new version of the software as well. XPort looked interesting, but it is not available for Windows 8, so I am in a bind. I need to use my BU-353 on at least 2 programs, if not more. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

GPSGate works great on my Windows 8.1 laptop

 

[Mark Blue]

As for GPSGate, it is bugging out on my Windows 8.1 laptop. I never had to buy it when using Windows 7, I assume it has to do with the new version of the software as well. XPort looked interesting, but it is not available for Windows 8, so I am in a bind. I need to use my BU-353 on at least 2 programs, if not more. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

@Mark Eslick - can you define "bugging out" and what symptoms you're experiencing on your laptop, so we can hopefully provide you with some meaningful assistance?

 

[James Conrad]

As for GPSGate, it is bugging out on my Windows 8.1 laptop. I never had to buy it when using Windows 7, I assume it has to do with the new version of the software as well. XPort looked interesting, but it is not available for Windows 8, so I am in a bind. I need to use my BU-353 on at least 2 programs, if not more. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

I'm getting the same issues starting end of March on Windows 8.1 and Paid/Free GPS Gate. However laptops that have NOT done a Microsoft Update since the end of March running 8.1 are just fine. I can only see my BU-353 and not ThreatNet units. I think MS released a "com port" change in one of their updates. Rolling back the drivers hasn't been a fix..

 

[Tony Gilbert]

Just wanted to praise the advice from John Erwin a while back;
Just purchased the Globalsat BU-353 . So I install the driver OK and then plug in the receiver. NOT SEEN. Hmm then I realise I hadn't taken in any windows updates for a while. Anyway once I did that it all kicked in perfectly. In fact I was sorting this lot out late sitting up in bed and it got all sat signals within 30 seconds through the obstruction of my roof? WOW!
Anyway thumbs up for this GPS receiver.

PS. My past life has been a misery every year with GPS tech issues whilst chasing in the USA. In fact just accidently putting another USB gadget in the wrong USB port would throw everything out and need several re starts and even a system restore to get things going again ????....What a bummer!

 

[Willoughby Owen]

Hi,

Has anyone successfully used the Novatel 4620L Verizon MiFi device as a GPS? There is a function you can enable!

http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-55860/

After a bit of playing around and having it go from a 'cold start' it seemed to be okay but with streaming data cutting out every minute for a bit. EarthBridge for some reason didn't like the NMEA feed it was getting from GPSGate... but the SpotterNetwork and GrLevel3 apps seemed to work with it OK. Would be nice to get rid of the Garmin 18 USB with an aging plug and system susceptible to BSODs thanks to it in the middle of a chase!

 

[Mark Blue]

I haven't used EarthBridge before, but looking at the support page I have a couple of ideas. EarthBridge was last updated in February 2006, so I have to wonder if it might be the cause of any BSODs you're receiving as that's some pretty old and buggy code. Secondly, I have to wonder if Google Earth even needs EarthBridge anymore in order to pick up a GPS stream from GPSGate.

You could try taking EarthBridge out of the equation as a first step, then delete your GPSGate settings by deleting the XML file where the settings are stored. This is somewhat OS dependent as to where the XML file is stored, so if you chime in with that information I can point you in the right direction. Then you'd reboot and run the GPSGate setup wizard again to detect your Garmin unit and setup new virtual ports and such. I'm not sure it'll work but it's worth a shot.

 

[TJKLECKNER]

Hi,

Has anyone successfully used the Novatel 4620L Verizon MiFi device as a GPS? There is a function you can enable!

http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-55860/

After a bit of playing around and having it go from a 'cold start' it seemed to be okay but with streaming data cutting out every minute for a bit. EarthBridge for some reason didn't like the NMEA feed it was getting from GPSGate... but the SpotterNetwork and GrLevel3 apps seemed to work with it OK. Would be nice to get rid of the Garmin 18 USB with an aging plug and system susceptible to BSODs thanks to it in the middle of a chase!

I used the 4620L all spring with no issues with GPS Gate. With my new hotspot, I'm using Bluetooth GPS from my phone.

 

[James Wilson]

I have the BU-353 and I am trying to use it on Windows 10 ... no go.

Is anyone using a USB GPS in Windows 10 yet? If so please advise so I can purchase one.

 

[Brian G]

I have the BU-353 and I am trying to use it on Windows 10 ... no go.

Is anyone using a USB GPS in Windows 10 yet? If so please advise so I can purchase one.

You need the BU-353-S4.

If you want to pipe the NMEA data from it into the newer Windows Location Services infrastructure then you can use GPSDirect. This is only necessary if you want to use the device with the Windows Store apps like Maps.