Follow up on GPS for MD-9600

[SA0BUX]

Just wanted to report that the GPS in my new RT-3S does work in the house but my even newer RT-90's GPS does not. I plan to dash mount the RT-90 so hope that will work well enough.

Just an update - with the radio running on my passenger seat the GPS never "sees" even a single satellite . I hope it starts working when I mount the radio on the top of the dash?

Cars can have a coated windshield that block most of the GPS signals, signal boosters exists that use an outside antenna together with an
amplifier that radiates the signal inside the car.

[N1LSJ]

I ran my RT90 (supposedly with GPS) for several hours on my dashboard and it never "saw" a single hint of a satellite
Is it possible that I was shipped a non-GPS radio?
Can the radio even detect whether it has a GPS?
My RT3S with GPS works fine on that dash - even works indoors

[SA0BUX]

I ran my RT90 (supposedly with GPS) for several hours on my dashboard and it never "saw" a single hint of a satellite
Is it possible that I was shipped a non-GPS radio?
Can the radio even detect whether it has a GPS?
My RT3S with GPS works fine on that dash - even works indoors

If OpenGD77 detects NMEA data on the GPS input to the MCU during startup it presume that a GPS chip is attached and
enables the possibility to enabled it in options.
So , you have something in the radio that at least think it is an GPS.

[VK3KYY]

Look in Options -> General options -> GPS

If this says "None" then your radio does not have a GPS
If it says "Off" then it has a GPS , and you will need to turn it on.


The firmware turns on the power to the GPS when the radio is turned on, and if a GPS is fitted , the GPS unit will send some data almost immediatly, i.e in about 1 second or less.

The first time the firmware is run if gets any data from the GPS, it changes the status of the Options -> General options -> GPS setting from None to Off

Hence if you radio still says None for GPS then the radio does not have a GPS module or the module is defective.
If it says None is far more likely that it simply does not have a GPS fitted, as there have never been any reports of GPS that are fitted but that are defective

[G4EML]

The RT90/MD9600 has a plug in antenna. It is possible the antenna is unplugged / not fitted / faulty. GPS reception is probably not tested in the factory.

The GPS module and antenna is in the front panel.

Colin G4EML.

[F1RMB]

And it's also pretty easy to replace, see viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3058

[N1LSJ]

Thanks for all your replies! Yes, I have GPS turned on so it must be installed. If background beaconing is ever enabled in the firmware I'll look into troubleshooting/fixing it . Worst case I might buy another and use this one for a base station. I got it for $280 shipped on a sale so I'm not too unhappy.