HP-1 not seeing my GPS

[loumaag]

Okay, I will admit I am no genius when it comes to GPS technology. I really don't understand all the data that they satellites provide and I am none to clear what the various acronyms that are thrown around mean. So let me just say what the situation is here and maybe someone can provide a guide to me solving the problem.

I have a HP-1, a Garmin GPS-18x PC, a Null Modem (male/male), my serial cable from the BCD396T (which Paul previously stated would work). When I hook all of them together and power them up the HP-1 does not seem to "see" that I have a GPS hooked to it.

To verify that the GPS unit is working, I hooked it to my computer and using a terminal program monitored the serial port and I get a data stream (a sample of which is attached to this post.) I know that the programming cable from my 396T works because it still communicates with the 396T. This leaves I believe only 4 possibilities:

1. The Null Modem adapter is faulty, it is brand new
2. The HP-1 is faulty, also brand new
3. The GPS-18x PC is outputting data in the wrong format (oh boy)
4. I am a dunce and have missed some basic step.

If the problem is #4, please let me know gently, otherwise I am open to any suggestions.

 

[Kennrth]

Not familiar with HP-1, but GPS-18x PC baud rate by default is 4800. May not match baud rate default baud rate of HP-1. Try to set baud rates the same.

 

[Viper43]

Baud rate Lou.....

 

[loumaag]

I tried all the speeds on the radio before "reading" the GPS with my computer and determining it was outputting data and it was operating at 4800 baud.

However, when I posted that last night, I was not thinking too much. This morning I broke out a VOM and have discovered the NULL MODEM that I just bought might as well just be a gender changer, because the pins appear to be just straight through so I am guessing that is my problem. I need to dig around in the office and see if I can find one in my junk or get out of the house and buy another one. Looks like #1 is at least part of the problem.

 

[musicman476]

Do you have a m-m 9 pin gender changer in addition to your null modem? That is necessary, too. With a null modem m-f and a m-m gender changer hooked up to the Uniden cable, my GPS 18x worked great right out of the box.

 

[loumaag]

Okay a trip to the local RS and buying a m2f null modem (thus requiring the use of a m2m gender changer) I have the setup working. Next comes some driving around and setting some global avoids.

I left a review of what I thought of the Null Modem that was nothing more than a gender changer labeled as a Null Modem on Amazon, where I got the GPS & the Null Modem. When doing so, I saw another purchaser who had the very same experience.

In any case, thanks to all the folks who chimed in to help. That is why I devote so much of my spare time to the site, it has great folks who are ready to step up and help someone who has a problem.

 

[RayK]

I was able to get null modem/gender changer (M to M) from Sewell Direct,part # SW7344.
Tested it works great.

 

[Viper43]

I tried all the speeds on the radio before "reading" the GPS with my computer and determining it was outputting data and it was operating at 4800 baud.

However, when I posted that last night, I was not thinking too much. This morning I broke out a VOM and have discovered the NULL MODEM that I just bought might as well just be a gender changer, because the pins appear to be just straight through so I am guessing that is my problem. I need to dig around in the office and see if I can find one in my junk or get out of the house and buy another one. Looks like #1 is at least part of the problem.

That will do it! I had one stamped Null Modem but it indeed was a gender changer.....Chinese messed up that contract...