GPS does not recogonize my position

[Darkgreenmike]

I have a Century center console boat with a Lowrance LMS 525C DF. The external antenna is a LGC 3000 and it seems to no longer work. When connected, I just get a flashing boat and it seems I cannot see the satelites. When I disconnect the antenna, the unit states that "GPS module not responding". Lowrance no longer makes the 525C DF or the LGC 3000 and since each is 5 years and 4 months old they no longer offer support. I have heard that a LGC 2000 will work in a pinch, and I have one. It looks like I need some cable from the blue cable of the 2000 to the black cable of the 3000. Anyone have suggestions where I can get such a beast. Absent success, I will be looking for a new multi, GPS, Chart, Sonar and fish finder. Any suggestions on what I should look at? Garmin? Lowrance?

Thanks, Mike

 

[jhebert]

Re: GPS does not recogonize my position

RE: "GPS does not [recognize] my position"

The Air Force's NAVSTAR GPS works globally, so it is unlikely there is any position on the globe where the GPS could not be used. It is more likely, as you suggest yourself, that your GPS receiver is malfunctioning, rather than there being some problem with GPS that prohibits it from being useful in a particular location.

...it seems I cannot see the [satellites].

If you watch the sky carefully on a clear night, a few hours after sunset, in an area with no light pollution, you can see a lot of satellites whizzing overhead, but I don't think you can see a GPS satellite. Their orbits are rather high, about 12,000-miles. You can easily see the International Space Station, but it is much larger and its orbit is lower, only about 250-miles.

 

[NYBo]

Re: GPS does not recogonize my position

Lots of sources: https://www.google.com/#q=lowrance+...frvSKg.O&fp=61ad37742ba34e46&biw=1600&bih=710

RE: "GPS does not [recognize] my position"

The Air Force's NAVSTAR GPS works globally, so it is unlikely there is any position on the globe where the GPS could not be used. It is more likely, as you suggest yourself, that your GPS receiver is malfunctioning, rather than there being some problem with GPS that prohibits it from being useful in a particular location.



If you watch the sky carefully on a clear night, a few hours after sunset, in an area with no light pollution, you can see a lot of satellites whizzing overhead, but I don't think you can see a GPS satellite. Their orbits are rather high, about 12,000-miles. You can easily see the International Space Station, but it is much larger and its orbit is lower, only about 250-miles.

:facepalm: This is really getting old...

 

[jhebert]

Re: GPS does not recogonize my position

This is really getting old...

I agree. With four modern global navigation satellite systems in operation, and modern position locating devices being able to use two, three, or even all four simultaneously, the notion that all global navigation satellite systems are just called "GPS" as a generic term is way past being completely out of date.

Now whether one could see a navigation satellite from the GPS constellation by eye, that is an interesting question. I rather doubt it, as I think they are so high.

 

[NYBo]

Re: GPS does not recogonize my position

I agree. With four modern global navigation satellite systems in operation, and modern position locating devices being able to use two, three, or even all four simultaneously, the notion that all global navigation satellite systems are just called "GPS" as a generic term is way past being completely out of date.

Now whether one could see a navigation satellite from the GPS constellation by eye, that is an interesting question. I rather doubt it, as I think they are so high.

You missed my point completely. Did you truly not understand what the OP was saying, even if he technically didn't use the terms he did according to the strict definitions? Not seeing the satellites = his GPS receiver is not receiving their signals, for example.

 

[jhebert]

Re: GPS does not recogonize my position

NYBO--Yes, the OP diagnosed his own problem: his GPS receiver is malfunctioning. I agree with that diagnosis. To assume that there is something intrinsic in the USA Air Force NAVSTAR global positioning system that would prevent it from working at his location makes no sense at all to me or to anyone who understands how the system works.

It is not necessary to be able to see any GPS satellites. The GPS receiver antenna just has to be oriented so it can receive the signals. The signals are at a frequency of about 1.5-GHz and they do not behave like visible light. The radio signals pass through many substances that are opaque to light. Worrying if the satellites are visible to your eye makes no sense at all. Your GPS receiver just needs to be able to receive the signals as the first step in working. Of course, there are many more steps to getting a position solution than just having the antenna oriented to be able to receive the signals. That is the most rudimentary step in the process. But the notion that the OP was worried if he could see the satellites, well, that was an interesting new approach. As I say, I doubt you can see them. They are far too high.

By the way, tonight is a great night to see the International Space Station. It is making a great pass over the midwest about 10:38 p.m. If you want to see something in orbit above the earth, tonight is a good night to look into the sky.

 

[NYBo]

Re: GPS does not recogonize my position

Oh, waiter, check please!:facepalm:

 

[Darkgreenmike]

Re: GPS does not recogonize my position

Thanks to everyone. I bought a new unit today.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: GPS does not recogonize my position

Thanks to everyone. I bought a new unit today.

So what "GPS" did you buy?