GPSgate problem

[Adam Lucio]

Hello all,

I have a weird problem with GPSgate [v2.5] and was wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem.

At random times the icon goes red and says no data is coming in. Its completely random, sometimes it will happen every 2 minutes for a period of 20 minutes, then it will stay connected for an hour straight with no issues...then go out twice in a period of 10 minutes...theres no pattern Ive been able to identify.

I know the GPS unit is still connected and functioning becaue my position on GR3 will continue to move whereas my spotter network icon falls behind until I unplug the USB cable and plug it back in to the laptop...the GPSgate logo turns green again and all is well. This gets quite annoying after awhile and was wondering if anyone has had a similar problem before I seek help elsewhere.

If it makes a difference I have a Garmin GPS split between only GR3 and spotternetwork. Internet source is a Cingular/AT&T air card.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brandon Sullivan]

Hey. Honestly dont know the version I have, but I had that problem yesterday. I was in the middle of the city where I knew I could get a 3d fix.. It was odd...

 

[Ben Holcomb]

If it makes any difference, I have had the same trouble with my Microsoft Streets & Trips (Pharos 360) GPS from time to time. Certainly not hourly, but if I'm using it for a number of hours it has been typical where it happens once or twice. It also seems to happen once a month during casual use. I just thought it was my cheap GPS, but I see I'm not the only one having this problem.

 

[Jay Cazel]

I have had the same problems with GSPgate.....I switch over to Xport
http://curioustech.home.insightbb.com/xport.html. So far never had a problem with it.

Also I run Grlevel3, spotternet, WXworks, and Delorme 2008 with Xport all at the same time with the gps that came with WXworks and no problems.....So far.

Oh yeah...one more thing...it is free!

 

[Bill Tabor]

I don't have that problem anymore. Last year I did, but finally learned that my USB port was missing a small tab that apparently broke off. This caused the cable to move and disconnect the gps causing intermittent service. Sometimes it will go yellow if the car is in a position without many satellites, or trees, hills, or buildings are partially blocking the signal. Try moving the gps unit for unobstructed view and checking your cable and USB port.

When it's working properly Gpsgate is flawless for me, and I can run tons of gps at that same time. I think I've done 4 or 5 different apps before.

Hey, what's necessary for setting up spotternetwork? Might be fun.

 

[Kory Hartman]

Bill, you need one of the .NET Frameworks (2.0?) and the spotternet client

 

[Rob Herman]

If your GPS's main source of signal are through the windshield be aware that some windshields will block them. One direction of travel may allow the signals to reach the receiver (from the sides) while another may not. I found this out after having my windshield replaced. At first there were no problems with placing the GPS on the dash, after I thought my GPS unit was failing. Now I use a $45 Holux USB puck type GPS which is placed on top of my vehicle.

 

[J Tyler]

I know its an old thread, but I've got the exact same problem. GPSgate will run fine, then suddenly it will turn red and say "No data is coming in". It also says "Running OK!". I have to restart GPSgate and everything is fine again.

Windows 7 32bit, external GPS antenna on the roof. Has anyone found a solution to this yet?

 

[James Hammett]

Few solutions to problems I've had with GPS + gpsgate:

1) Move wi-fi antenna away from gps puck (interference)
2) Replace usb extension cable (short)
3) Plug into different usb port (too many usb devices on root hub causing power overload)

Hope that helps.

 

[Jason Foster]

Also make sure the USB port itself is making good contact. I've been noticing more and more that the USB ports don't stand up to any stress (aka movement). As the price of laptops goes down, so too have I noticed the quality dipping a lot. You may have tried this already, but figured I'd mention it.

 

[J Tyler]

Hey, thanks for the tips guys.

I'm REALLY wondering about the Wi Fi antenna suggestion. I *JUST* added a Rockys amp and 9bd gain antenna. This was our first trip out with that setup. I never thought of that. I will look into it, so THANKS.

Jason, you are SO correct. Early this spring, I was having absolute hell with EVERYTHING dropping in and out. It took me a little over a week of digging to figure out the problem was my laptop not giving a steady, stable power thru its USB ports. I installed a powered USB hub in the truck and it fixed all the issues. James, I'm going to try another of your suggestions and try moving my GPS to another USB input on the hub.

I'll post my results so we can have that info in the thread to help other people in the future. I'm open to any other ideas....

 

[Ben Holcomb]

It's almost always a hardware issue and not a GPSgate software issue.

Just get one of these http://tinyurl.com/29rcaux You will be happy you did

 

[Bart_Comstock]

I agree with Ben. I have had a number of GPS pucks and after switching to the one he link to I have never looked back. That is the best GPS puck on the market IMHO.

 

[J Tyler]

Thanks to an earlier thread here at Stormtrack, I bought that exact GPS puck! You guys are correct, it is an incredible unit. I do, however, have it located fairly close to my Wi Fi antenna. I will go out soon and run without my USB aircard active and see if the earlier comment about interference might be the case. If that solves it, I'll move antenna locations.

 

[J Tyler]

UPDATE:

Outside tonight having fun chasing down the GPSgate issue.....

It was doing the same thing even before I would fire up the WiFi. Pulled the cables out of the truck, checked EVERYTHING. Long story short....If I have the full setup running, but have my laptop running off its own internal battery, everything works perfect. If I plug my laptops power cord in (which is running to an inverter), and that inverter is plugged into the trucks cigarette lighter WITH THE TRUCKS ENGINE OFF, everything works perfect. However, IF THE TRUCKS ENGINE IS RUNNING, and the inverter is plugged into the cigarette lighter, and the laptop is plugged into the inverter, the GPS gate drops within 20 seconds. Turns red, and says "No Data is coming in". My inverters are NOT yet hard wired to the battery (I've got the stuff, havn't done it yet). I am using my trucks 3 cigarette lighter outlets. The ONLY load on that inverter is the laptop (90 watts) and is well within the limits of the inverter using the cigarette outlet. I have the USB hub plugged into another inverter drawing MINIMAL power. Thats it.

Life is so bizzare.

This same setup worked just fine for the last 5 months.

I am using the Cyberpower 400 watt inverter (two of them)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/CyberPo...rter/9632823.p?id=1218134573511&skuId=9632823

Yes, these inverters are "simulated sine wave" I am going to pull my laptop off of them and either buy a True Sine Wave inverter, or buy the Dell car kit which allows me to plug my laptop right into the cigarette outlet.