figure this gps problem out...

**Sonicxtacy02** · 06-23-2005, 03:35 PM

I've had my gps mounted on the dash for a few months and have received great signal strength ( always 6-8). Last weekend i moved my computer from the trunk to under the passenger seat. I was careful to leave all usb cables plugged into the same ports. Now half the time i have NO sats and the most i've seen is 4. The gps wasnt moved an inch. I do have a 6 foot extension but i have removed that with the same result. I also normally run the gps off of a hub but i removed that as well... same problem.

What the heck could have caused such a dramatic change in signal?

**Peoples** · 06-23-2005, 03:43 PM

El Nino

**Wiredwrx** · 06-23-2005, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

I've had my gps mounted on the dash for a few months and have received great signal strength ( always 6-8). Last weekend i moved my computer from the trunk to under the passenger seat. I was careful to leave all usb cables plugged into the same ports. Now half the time i have NO sats and the most i've seen is 4. The gps wasnt moved an inch. I do have a 6 foot extension but i have removed that with the same result. I also normally run the gps off of a hub but i removed that as well... same problem.

What the heck could have caused such a dramatic change in signal?

Was the hub powered?

Cloud cover? Marine Layer? Solar Flares?

How long have you been having decreased signal?

Michael

**Troy McClure** · 06-23-2005, 03:51 PM

I'd have to say just good ol interference with the computer. Throw a rubber door mat over the computer and see if the signal changes, if it does, you know your problem.

Troy

**Peoples** · 06-23-2005, 03:57 PM

that sounds possible, the cable leading to the gps may be getting interference from something now

**Sonicxtacy02** · 06-23-2005, 04:49 PM

hub was non-powered and that wasnt a factor. i'll see about covering the computer tonight. I've had crappy signal since i moved the computer under the seat. Moving the gps to the rear windows does seem to help some so maybe the computer is causing some type of strange interference.

**meyer64** · 06-23-2005, 05:04 PM

i have a similar problem in my truck. computer is in the glove box and i can only get sat locks if the gps is on my tailgate. I have been thinking of doing one of the oem gps mods since they are supposed to be better anyway.

does a rubber floor mat really cut out on interference?

**Wiredwrx** · 06-23-2005, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

hub was non-powered and that wasnt a factor. i'll see about covering the computer tonight. I've had crappy signal since i moved the computer under the seat. Moving the gps to the rear windows does seem to help some so maybe the computer is causing some type of strange interference.

Where is the the GPS mouse sitting now. Where was it before. Is it possible that the USB extension cable is not of a high quality, and is not shielded properly/adequately. Is the USB cable now running near motors/other wires with high current/car components that may be producing interference that it wasn;t running next to before?

Michael

**Sonicxtacy02** · 06-24-2005, 09:37 AM

The gps was on the dash.. same place it was when the computer was in the trunk. I moved it to the rear window and the reception gets a lil better but its still not reliable. The usb extension isnt the problem. I've tried multiple extensions and plugged the gps directly into the usb port. I've moved the usb wire all over the car in order to test to see if it was gettin interference from some other wires. the ONLY thing thats different about my setup now other than the physical location is the mobo is in a chopped up case and the power supply is closer to the mobo. I have lifted the case to check if maybe it was somehow bein grounded and that made no diff. I've moved the power supply away from the mobo and that seemed to make no diff either. If i move the gps unit outside of the car the sats pick up better but only as many sats as i used to receive when the computer was in the trunk.

**JC-S60** · 06-24-2005, 10:26 AM

Is the computercase made from metal and is it closed completely? Is it grounded properly?

If not, you're letting all kind of EM rays leave the case/md and that may interfere with the GPS's reception.

The problem is clearly the reception and not the comunication between the GPS and your computer, but interference can travel along the USB-cord to ther GPS!