GPS losing signal

major_clanger · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 23, 2004 Posts: 10

Back again to ask for more help... Embarassed

I have now had my GPS set up (TomTom 3 wired, software and 4150) for a few weeks and, in general, have been very impressed. However, I have found that every once in a while, the GPS receiver will lose signal altogether for no apparent reason (ie - in open countryside) and will also consistantly lose signal if going through rain.

Having spoken to a colleague who has the same set up (well 2200 IPAQ) - apparently his "never" loses signal apart from the obvoius (tunnels, urban canyons).

So, I'm wondering if my GPS is at fault... As I said above, it normally works fine and I've had it registering up to 10 satellites at times. I've tried moving it around the car to no avail. Is there any other way I can test it?

Apologies for the rambling post - hope someone out there has an idea...

Cheers

MC

Dave · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 8:54 am Post subject:

A GPS can lose fix in the open, it really depends on signal strength, whether the GPS is obstructed (physically or urban canyons), whether you have an athermic windscreen, whether you have something close that's causing an electrical distortion field.

You then have to consider that there maybe problems with the map if it loses fix at the same position or on the same stretch of road. It's not uncommon to have these problems, but usually you should be able to receive a fix and not lose it if you're out in the open.

BadTasteUK · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 30, 2004 Posts: 9

major_clanger · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 23, 2004 Posts: 10

Well, rang the nice support people at TomTom and they advised me to turn off the IR port on my IPAQ as that can interfere with the GPS receiver (apparently)...

Tried it - but no success.. will call back on Monday.

Hmmm - another possibility - what's the temperature tolerence for GPS receivers? I mean, if they are designed to sit "with an uninterruped view of the sky" (ie under the windscreen) then I presume that they're designed to cope with getting very hot? Just getting paranoid in case I've "cooked" the damn thing by leaving it in the car...

Many thanks

MC

mrklaw · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 67

I had exactly this on a trip to kingston upon thames. Around the A308/316 junction, it kept jumping me off to the middle of nowhere, but still indicated 5 satellites. Very annoying. Its also very slow to pick up a signal.

I'm going to give it another week, then its a call to Tom tom to see about a fix/replacement.

alix776 · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:27 pm Post subject:

iwas round that area last week and never lost singal once with my tomtom bt receiver so i doubt its the location
_________________
currently using aponia truck navigation on windows phone. Good bye IOS don't let the door hit you on the way out .

Oh the joys of being a courier.
device Lumia 950 xl

mrklaw · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 67

cheers for that. Always good to remove options.

I now have a proper tom tom car kit, so I'll see if a dodgy Y-connector was a problem (generic kit was difficult to click the GPS into)

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