gps loosing signal at gas station

**erricson_nguyen** · 09-22-2007, 02:24 AM

every time i stop for gas my gps loosing signal i checked b4 stop 4 gas at least there were 7/10 sat, any 1 have similar problem please help this newbie how to fix it i use MS usb reciever i believe it's a Pharos gps 500 Sirf III iguidance 4.0 i place it on dashboard , to get signal back i have to restart pc exit iguidance relaunch won't help

thank in advance

**Marassa** · 09-22-2007, 02:40 AM

Are you sure the gas station does not have a metal roof?

**erricson_nguyen** · 09-22-2007, 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by Marassa

Are you sure the gas station does not have a metal roof?

i have no idea but i went 5 different station same thing happened

**BiG K** · 09-22-2007, 05:37 AM

Simple fix really.....don't go to a gas station :P

The gas station will have somesort of a roof, which will block the signal from getting through, you could hack the GPS and fit a stronger aerial onto it.

GPS works by time. All the sattelites have a precise time, which they broadcast. The GPS receiver than works out where the satelites are judging by the time. GPS microwave signals take time to reach the ground, I can't be bothered working out the exact time, but the further away a satelite is, the longer the signal takes to reach you.
For example, if you have four satelites, each one will give a slightly different time down to the nanosecond, whch the GPS receiver can then work out where you are! With a roof, those times can get a little skewed and you'll have "lost signal" while in all reality, you won't have lost the signal completely, the GPS receiver will get widely varied times, so the GPS receiver cannot pinpoint your location.
At any one time, there are always three or more GPS satelites above us ;-)

With the launch of the European GPS satelites, we will actually be able to accurately work out where we are....to a meter!! Currently, US GPS sattelites can work out only to 10 meter range.

Try to use a petrol pump near the edge of the forecourt, which should help you with your signals

**Laidback** · 09-23-2007, 04:25 AM

I think you're all missing the point! When he drives out of the gas station he should get the signal back in seconds, not have to restart the pc.

**eliza721** · 09-24-2007, 04:31 AM

I think it's normal, sometimes it also happened to me

**erricson_nguyen** · 09-26-2007, 12:34 PM

i dont think metal roof is the only cause the signal lost, there maybe something els
while im listening an AM radio with clear n clean reception then there're a tromendous amount of interference when approaching any gas station, i think this might also effect
and cause the gps signal lost, just my though

**jonessc** · 10-08-2007, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Laidback

I think you're all missing the point! When he drives out of the gas station he should get the signal back in seconds, not have to restart the pc.

the gps reciever should reaquire satellites within a few seconds...?

**Sonicxtacy02** · 10-08-2007, 04:40 PM

personal experience pharos gps = garbage. I had two.. neither lasted a year after purchase. Got a BU-353.. its on my roof and rock solid no matter where i am.