Steps to test the GPS puck on my HP-1

[tc4racer]

My HP-1 and GPS puck have been working flawlessly for years! All of a sudden the GPS is not recognized. It appears warm, and getting power, all connections checked.

I remember hearing early on that there were some connector failures at the HP-1 side.

Is there a way with a DVM or perhaps computer with serial port that I can simply test to see if the puck is outputting the serial data needed, or if in fact I have a hardware connection issue?

I am not a GPS wizard, so not even sure I what I could use to test the puck. Will it respond to a putty/hyperterm connection just to see if serial data is coming out?

Thanks

 

[jonwienke]

The GPS outputs a serial data stream. Try connecting it to a computer and seeing if you get any data.

 

[UPMan]

Is the GPS's indicator flashing at one pulse per second?

 

[tc4racer]

No, it is not flashing

 

[UPMan]

If it is the BC-GPSK, then that means the GPS puck itself does not have a satellite lock and is not outputing the NMEA data to the scanner.

 

[tc4racer]

Well, if the connector is bad, would not that cause the same problem? Its never failed to lock up almost instantly, and as soon as I turned on the HP-1 I got the "use gps" message. This is all hardwired in my car, so it takes some time to remove the panels to get to the serial connector.

I will try to get a computer on the serial cable tomorrow.

Thanks.

 

[jonwienke]

No. If the puck has satellite lock, the light will blink regardless of whether the output cable is connected to something or not.

 

[tc4racer]

I must have a different one (Garmin 18x I think), I see no light. But its dead. I got a serial connection to the laptop and no data coming off. Plus its very warm. Its been on 24x7 for a few years, think I killed it!