Home Patrol GPS problem

[w0fg]

This week I purchased an Argent Data Systems GPS for use with my Home Patrol, but the radio does not seem to recognize the GPS at all when it's plugged in. I've tried various combinations of power up sequence, but I do not see what is supposed to be the status line on the bottom line of the GPS setup screen. Any ideas on how to determine whether the problem is with the GPS or with the Home Patrol? Since the Argent unit comes set up specifically for the Home Patrol I can't simply substitute either of my vehicule-mounted Nuvis.

 

[kbehning]

the first thing you can do is try to step through all the different baud rates that are selectable on the homepatrol. The bauds have to match between the GPS and the homepatrol GPS connector.

If none of those work you'd have to check the GPS to make sure it is outputting the NMEA RMC and GGA sentences.

Garmin has a set of programs on their GPS 18X PC product page that allow you to talk to and configure the Garmin.

Some of us on here were unclear if the Argent cable is "melded" so that only the homepatrol connector is accessible, or if you can disconnect the homepatrol cable and connect the Garmin to a PC serial port for configuration checks and adjustments. Pictures of the Argent system cabling would be interesting to many on here.

Good luck with your debug

 

[w0fg]

The Argent cable is "melded", as you say. The 'Y' junction between the data and power cables is a molded unit and the Home Patrol connector is also molded onto the cable end so there's no good way to access the data stream. I expect I could cut the data cable and make a serial to serial adapter but as it's a brand new unit I'm hoping to avoid that. I guess I'll have to try to find a store with a working Home Patrol demo and see if they'll let me plug the GPS into that. Here's a pic of the Argent unit.

https://www.argentdata.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=162

 

[UPMan]

Note that the HP-1 won't react at all until the GPS starts sending valid location data. This typically takes up to 90 seconds the first time you power up a GPS and expose it to the sky.

 

[w0fg]

Thanks Paul. I'm not seeing any recognition even after 30-40 minutes, so there must be a problem with either the GPS or with the connector on the HP-1.

 

[kbehning]

Well that settles it for me. There are many reasons that one would want to connect the GPS puck to a PC and configure it's sentences or other settings, or even do a firmware update. (Free Garmin control/configuration SW is available on their website.) Simply being able to connect the argent unit to a PC to observe its data output with the freeware program Putty would help immensely in the dubug of the OP's issue. If the argent cable is not a breakaway unit that can be connected to a pc for configuration, in a case like the OP is having, it seems like a stiflingly unnecessary limitation. Having a "hardcoded" homepatrol GPS connector is a step too far in the simplification of a kit for a scanner user. It reminds me of the heavy handed foolproofing that apple does in its products that prevents them for being utilized to their full capability. I'd definitely recommend future scanner enthusiasts getting the Garmin GPS 18X PC and the Uniden GPS cable (BWZG1844001), or the Uniden GPS receiver and same cable.

 

[Gadgetmann]

I was doing some searching and found this exact Argent GPS unit, however you were not able to get it to work on your HP-1?

The Argent cable is "melded", as you say. The 'Y' junction between the data and power cables is a molded unit and the Home Patrol connector is also molded onto the cable end so there's no good way to access the data stream. I expect I could cut the data cable and make a serial to serial adapter but as it's a brand new unit I'm hoping to avoid that. I guess I'll have to try to find a store with a working Home Patrol demo and see if they'll let me plug the GPS into that. Here's a pic of the Argent unit.

https://www.argentdata.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=162

 

[w0fg]

Not yet. The HP-1 never recognized it in any way...it always said "ignore GPS", so I returned the Argent for repair a couple of weeks ago. I haven't heard back from them yet.

 

[Gadgetmann]

Ok thanks........I sent a PM to you also......a 2nd one.

On a side note.........has anyone gotten one of these and confirms it does work?