gps help

[patrolman]

i got a magellan fx324 and it wont pick up satilites or if it does it will keep dropping out.

anyone know why this might be? or how to fix it?

[wrksux]

im not familiar with your model GPS but try these guys
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/

they seem to know everything about GPS systems

[oozuk]

is it running an external aerial ? if so you could have a brake in the coax in the aerial lead.

also where is the aerial mounted ? does it have a direct line of sight of the sky?

If an internal antenna, does the unit have a direct line of sight of the sky too? GPS will work fine thru glass and plastics but metal blocks the signal
e.g.: roof

[RoldIT]

With the GPS off, push and hold the NAV button then press POWER ON.

Instead of booting normally, the GPS will go into a "secret menu" mode, displaying 2 zeros in a box.

Use the cursor keys to change the 2 zeros to "30" and press enter. A small menu of options will be displayed. Select the Clear All Memory option and press enter. This will clear the memory of the GPS, reset factory defaults and turn the GPS off.

When you turn the GPS on next time, leave if sit, turned on, without moving for at least 30 mins.

The reason it happens is the ephemeris and almanac data, downloaded from the satellites has failed for some reason and is corrupt. This means the GPS does not know where to find the satellites in the sky. This above procedure forces the GPS to reset all it's data and begin it's download from scratch. All should be good after that.

[patrolman]

thanks guys


RoldIt, i will give it a go and see if it works. thanks

[patrolman]

well i tried waht roldit said and that works so long as the external aerial is unplugged but as soon as its plugged in it loses signal.
so are all magellan aerials the same?? or where can i get one for a fx324?

[+dj_hansen+]

What did you do the first time your booted your GPS up?

The 1st time a GPS is turned on, it needs to be left alone for 15 - 20mins to download whats known as an Almanac. This basically lists every GPOS satellite in orbit, what it is, its name, health, when it was launched, its build date etc etc. Without this your GPS wont work, or will display the symnptoms you seem to be experiencing.

Im not sure on how to reboot it if this is your problem... RoldIT can probably answer your question (fingers crossed)

EDIT- just read you original post - the above may not apply, or you may have a build pin/contact in the plug perhaps