Droider
Drone Enthusiast
Any one used one of these to enhance the GPS signal?
http://gallery.mikrokopter.de/main.php/v/tech/GPS_Shield_V1_1a.jpg.html
http://gallery.mikrokopter.de/main.php/v/tech/GPS_Shield_V1_1a.jpg.html
Mikrokopter Mikrokopter GPS Shield
- Thread starter Droider
- Start date
sheild
No but I did order 1 for the hexa. Figured anything to boost gps is a good thing..Just another 20.00 to the cost. (JUST) LOL....
No but I did order 1 for the hexa. Figured anything to boost gps is a good thing..Just another 20.00 to the cost. (JUST) LOL....
Droider
Drone Enthusiast
I see Fox222 has one on his Hexa. Maybe he could comment but I get a fix within a couple of mins in open space. In the house it takes quite a long time if you are just next to a window. In my kitchen which is single story I have skylights so when I am testing stuff indoors I usually put my Adx under one of the skylights.
Foil backed insulation in roofs kills the signal dead though.
Foil backed insulation in roofs kills the signal dead though.
Gary Mortimer
Member
@MikroJ you will have to let it see sats for a while to update the almanac and then it should lock faster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_signals#Almanac
Have tried next to window, and I actually got more satellites (well only 4) then moved out side in open air and could only get 1 - 2 and 3rd flashing here and there?
I will try for longer I have read somewhere (cannot find it again) may take up to 15 mins.
Thanks for your replies.
FOX222
Member
The GPS shield works. It provides a better ground plane thus increasing signal strength. I did a before and after looking at signal strength and it was at least a 20% increase. Hell I get 9 to 10 sats with it on the kitchen table. The thing you will notice most is the speed that you get a lock. Definitely worth the $20.
John
John
Gary Mortimer
Member
I would leave your machine by the window for at least half an hour, switch it on and go do something else.
Is two hours long enough and only getting 3 satellites???? I dont have a controller yet so its only the navi/ and gps on the stack connected to MKtools? Navi is disconeected from fl ctrl. Should any of this effect it at all?
and this is outside in open space clearview no clouds?
Is two hours long enough and only getting 3 satellites???? I dont have a controller yet so its only the navi/ and gps on the stack connected to MKtools? Navi is disconeected from fl ctrl. Should any of this effect it at all?
and this is outside in open space clearview no clouds?
There is a battery on the GPS board and if its not charged fully the board will take a long time to get a full lock. You should probably leave it powered up for 12 hours or so to make sure the battery is charged then try again.
FWIW, new GPS board on my stock Hexa will lock on much quicker than the one on my Droidworx MK, the difference? The one on the stock Hexa is new and the one on the Droidworx is a year old and well used.
Ken
Does any one know what 3DGPS is. With 7 or eight satellites I get 3D but after 9 or 10 I get 3DGPS
Sorry jim but I dont have a low satellites problem. the longest I have to wait when I have moved a long distance to fly is about 3/5 mins for full lock.
Dave
I'm not sure of this but I think 9 or 10 satellites is enough to get workable altitude hold from the GPS as well as the normal positioning thus the 3DGPS, I seem to remember reading that somewhere.
Ken
P.S. the Timelords left a couple extra GPS sats over the UK to aid in Tardis navigation there, that's why your GPS works so well...
Last edited by a moderator:
All good , GPS sorted out , What I thought was an open veiw of the sky obviously wasn't big enough to get it started.......So I went to the top of a hill, big clearing and tried again, within 2 mins 10 - 12 satellites flashed and 8 - 9 locked in and had full 3dgps............ I now try this back at home down the hill and it takes no longer than 1 or so to find 8 or so again.....thanks for any of your advise, it kept me going instead of giving in to it......
....So I went to the top of a hill, big clearing and tried again, within 2 mins 10 - 12 satellites flashed and 8 - 9 locked in and had full 3dgps............ I now try this back at home down the hill and it takes no longer than 1 or so to find 8 or so again.....thanks for any of your advise, it kept me going instead of giving in to it......
Droider
Drone Enthusiast
Any chance of finding out more on that ken. Thats really interesting. I am going to order a GPS shield and also put a alu plate over the top of my FC to reduce any interference to the nav board.
Timelords left a couple extra GPS sats over the UK to aid in Tardis navigation there, that's why your GPS works so well...
Ahh thats what is is then.. Talking of timelords the new series starts over here next week
Dave
As an update I added one of the GPS shields as John (FOX222) suggested and it really increased GPS lock time. It used to take me several minutes to establish a good GPS lock. Fact is I went so far as to replace the GPS board battery 1st thinking that was the problem. The battery didn't help. Watch the red flashing LED indicating GPS lock, and note that the Hexa is inside the house.
Last edited by a moderator:
Darn it. Now I need one also.
Droider: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DGPS
DGPS allows for a little better accuracy by using an error signal from a ground station.
Droider: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DGPS
DGPS allows for a little better accuracy by using an error signal from a ground station.