Rechargeable External GPS Project
- Thread starter jonwienke
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jonwienke
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You are correct, UPMan has confirmed that is the reason for a dongle vs. internal Wi-Fi.
alex5774
Member
And I just got it today after Canada Post took it on the scenic route to Peterborough :roll:. It works perfectly and I have no complaints. I didn't even have to pay any taxes or import fees. Thanks Jon.
jonwienke
More Info Coming Soon!
FYI, testing and development of a cable for the SDS-100 is basically done. It's a bit trickier to make the power on-off function work right, because USB uses the opposite signal polarity of RS232. So I have to put an inverter circuit in the cable to get the GPS to be on when the scanner is on, and vice versa. As a result, the SDS-100 cable will be $20, rather than $10.
But on the bright side, if the GPS is plugged into USB power and the SDS-100, the GPS and scanner will both run off the same USB power source for power and/or charging. And if USB power is lost, both the scanner and GPS will continue to run on their respective batteries.
But on the bright side, if the GPS is plugged into USB power and the SDS-100, the GPS and scanner will both run off the same USB power source for power and/or charging. And if USB power is lost, both the scanner and GPS will continue to run on their respective batteries.
jonwienke
More Info Coming Soon!
The SDS100 uses a different power management scheme than the 436 and other USB devices. So my current auto-power concept has a quirk with the SDS100:
In order for the SDS100 to activate the USB port and trigger the power-on signal to the GPS, a voltage must be applied to the USB port. So if you just plug the GPS into the SDS100, nothing happens. But the GPS will power on and off with the scanner if the GPS is plugged in to USB power, and it will charge and power the scanner as well.
If you unplug the USB power from the GPS, the GPS and the scanner will continue to run on their respective batteries until the scanner shuts off. At that point, the GPS won't power on again until you plug the GPS into USB power for at least a second or so.
Maybe it would just be easier to put a push button power switch on the GPS.
In order for the SDS100 to activate the USB port and trigger the power-on signal to the GPS, a voltage must be applied to the USB port. So if you just plug the GPS into the SDS100, nothing happens. But the GPS will power on and off with the scanner if the GPS is plugged in to USB power, and it will charge and power the scanner as well.
If you unplug the USB power from the GPS, the GPS and the scanner will continue to run on their respective batteries until the scanner shuts off. At that point, the GPS won't power on again until you plug the GPS into USB power for at least a second or so.
Maybe it would just be easier to put a push button power switch on the GPS.
Hey Jon:
Just wanted to let you know that I took my external GPS unit on my first trip earlier this week and it worked like a charm. The only problem was that I had all service types on and was constantly avoiding marine, cb, etc that made it quite a workout. Luckily my Son was in the car and kept hitting the button when told to. I also noticed that when the database reloads in a new area, all the avoids come back! But all in all, the unit worked exactly as it should, it was the problem with the operator! Thanks for providing this service and making one for me!
Just wanted to let you know that I took my external GPS unit on my first trip earlier this week and it worked like a charm. The only problem was that I had all service types on and was constantly avoiding marine, cb, etc that made it quite a workout. Luckily my Son was in the car and kept hitting the button when told to. I also noticed that when the database reloads in a new area, all the avoids come back! But all in all, the unit worked exactly as it should, it was the problem with the operator! Thanks for providing this service and making one for me!
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On my 436 if I hit avoid 2 times it is a permanent lockout I will test this Friday on my SDS100 as it will be delivered today.
I was running the full database and as I moved into different areas, I saw it reload the full database again and again. I don't believe that you can permenantly lock out something from the full DB, but I could be wrong.
Have fun with your new SDS100 when it arrives, I would love to order one, but finances say otherwise. Maybe I can sell a kidney or something else I don't need!
Scanningar
Member
I am very interested in one of these. All of the work you have done on these is amazing. I have a 436HP I would like to use one on, but my main scanner is now a SDS100 which it would mostly be for. I see there are some issues with the current design for the SDS100, and would like to wait until a solution that would work on both the 436HP and SDS100 is found.
I don't know much about designing something like this, but would it be possible to have some sort of momentary switch/button that would jumpstart or trigger the GPS to turn on to solve the SDS100 issue? I don't think a toggle power switch would be bad, but the auto on/off function sounds great.
I don't know much about designing something like this, but would it be possible to have some sort of momentary switch/button that would jumpstart or trigger the GPS to turn on to solve the SDS100 issue? I don't think a toggle power switch would be bad, but the auto on/off function sounds great.
The module is the same for 436 and the 100.
The difference would be that you'd need a different cord for each scanner.
(Yes, the 100 cord has a switch - and a standard miniUSB, the 436 has an oddball 4 pin serial connector - "Mini Square 4-Pin Cable" (like on a Rosewill RCW-109)
I just got one of these rechargeable modules from Jon and I can attest to the quality/workmanship he puts into these. Do not hesitate buying from Jon.
Jake68111
Member
Ordered one and am patiently waiting but had a couple questions.
Suppose I'm traveling with the GPS hooked up, scanning the Full Database with specific services enabled. Going from location A to location B, once I arrive at Location B and disconnect the GPS, does the scanner maintain the Full Database as was left when the GPS was disconnected? Also, is it typical to have the range set to 0 while traveling or would it be better to have it set to like 5, to preempt nearby systems? FWIW, I would just be using the antenna on the radio and not a mobile antenna.
I imagine myself just filling up the car with gas and driving till I'm on "E" listening to things I've never heard, automatically. I've never done the whole GPS thing and am kind of giddy when it comes to having this capability!
Suppose I'm traveling with the GPS hooked up, scanning the Full Database with specific services enabled. Going from location A to location B, once I arrive at Location B and disconnect the GPS, does the scanner maintain the Full Database as was left when the GPS was disconnected? Also, is it typical to have the range set to 0 while traveling or would it be better to have it set to like 5, to preempt nearby systems? FWIW, I would just be using the antenna on the radio and not a mobile antenna.
I imagine myself just filling up the car with gas and driving till I'm on "E" listening to things I've never heard, automatically. I've never done the whole GPS thing and am kind of giddy when it comes to having this capability!
jonwienke
More Info Coming Soon!
If the GPS is shut off or disconnected, the scanner will continue to use the last location it received from the GPS until you either reconnect the GPS and turn it on, or manually enter a new location.
The best Range setting is to some degree a matter of personal preference. I generally use 5 miles, so if I'm driving I hear what's going on in a county a bit before entering. Unless you have a good outdoor antenna, going more than 5 miles generally means you will be scanning stuff the scanner can't hear.
The best Range setting is to some degree a matter of personal preference. I generally use 5 miles, so if I'm driving I hear what's going on in a county a bit before entering. Unless you have a good outdoor antenna, going more than 5 miles generally means you will be scanning stuff the scanner can't hear.
Jake68111
Member
Awesome! Thanks Jon!
Jake 68111:
A couple of possibly helpful items.
This of course depends on how you use your scanner.
If you scan just full database w/ GPS, not so much....
But, when you get down to programming your local/area departments into you favorite lists, this can become VERY useful.
When you work with your various favorite list department's location settings, there is circle and rectangles. Think of this like a very wide patterned shotgun (circles) vs a very accurate rifle (rectangles), so to speak.
Here is the best way I have found for rectangles - and thus very effective scanner/GPS 'marriage'.
https://www.maptechnica.com/
Type in the city/county/whatever you want to program.
(You may have to register, but well worth it - and it is free).
Scroll down and you'll see "bounding box of (city/county/state/whatever )".
This is your rectangle.
It gives you the GPS coordinates of the NW and SE corner of a box around the city/county/whatever.
You just input these into your location/rectangle settings.
I personally use rectangles and 0 for every department in my scanner's favorite lists. As I drive around the city/county/state, my scanner(s) automatically give me the departments I want to listen to for where I am actually at - with pretty darn good accuracy. Of course, with a range setting of >0, you can play with the amount of 'overlap' between jurisdictions you want.
With some further department or even site quick key programming, you can fine tune this even more.
Further questions - just ask...!
A couple of possibly helpful items.
This of course depends on how you use your scanner.
If you scan just full database w/ GPS, not so much....
But, when you get down to programming your local/area departments into you favorite lists, this can become VERY useful.
When you work with your various favorite list department's location settings, there is circle and rectangles. Think of this like a very wide patterned shotgun (circles) vs a very accurate rifle (rectangles), so to speak.
Here is the best way I have found for rectangles - and thus very effective scanner/GPS 'marriage'.
https://www.maptechnica.com/
Type in the city/county/whatever you want to program.
(You may have to register, but well worth it - and it is free).
Scroll down and you'll see "bounding box of (city/county/state/whatever )".
This is your rectangle.
It gives you the GPS coordinates of the NW and SE corner of a box around the city/county/whatever.
You just input these into your location/rectangle settings.
I personally use rectangles and 0 for every department in my scanner's favorite lists. As I drive around the city/county/state, my scanner(s) automatically give me the departments I want to listen to for where I am actually at - with pretty darn good accuracy. Of course, with a range setting of >0, you can play with the amount of 'overlap' between jurisdictions you want.
With some further department or even site quick key programming, you can fine tune this even more.
Further questions - just ask...!
Last edited:
jonwienke
More Info Coming Soon!
Just as a FYI, the RYN25DI GPS module has been discontinued, and I've used up my existing stock. Reyax has replaced it with a new model, the RY825, which so far seems to offer better accuracy, but requires manual reconfiguration of each module to output the correct NMEA sentences that can be understood by Uniden scanners. Figuring out the right configuration settings has been a bit of a challenge, but I believe I have it sorted. The last test is to let a reprogrammed module sit for a few days until the backup battery runs out, and I can verify that the new settings survive a full backup battery discharge.
Jake68111
Member
nessnet: Thank you for the information and I'll be looking into it. Should I have any questions, trust me, I'll ask. LoL
Jon: Will my order contain the old or the new? If its the new, it sounds like I might have reason for concern or do I just not understand the technical jargon? Whatever the case, I hope what you have said doesn't mean that the new model is slightly diminished VS the old.
Jon: Will my order contain the old or the new? If its the new, it sounds like I might have reason for concern or do I just not understand the technical jargon? Whatever the case, I hope what you have said doesn't mean that the new model is slightly diminished VS the old.
jonwienke
More Info Coming Soon!
The new module uses GPS and glonass satellites to get a fix and is more accurate. The trick is to change the default configuration so that it outputs the correct NMEA sentences. And getting the change to survive an extended power off.
GPS and Glonass…
Damn, I bought too soon....
In reality, this use (scanner/GPS) doesn't require spot on accuracy anyway.
Especially using rectangles, which are drawn around the extremities of whatever jurisdiction you are applying it to. Basically, city boundaries are rarely a rectangle. They are zig zag, irregular and of no particular shape. A bounding box (rectangle) is drawn to cover the entire area, so it generally is bigger than the actual city/county/whatever. Probably giving you overlap between adjoining areas.
Having the scanner switch FLs as you move from rectangle to rectangle doesn't require that great of precision... (IMO)
Damn, I bought too soon....
In reality, this use (scanner/GPS) doesn't require spot on accuracy anyway.
Especially using rectangles, which are drawn around the extremities of whatever jurisdiction you are applying it to. Basically, city boundaries are rarely a rectangle. They are zig zag, irregular and of no particular shape. A bounding box (rectangle) is drawn to cover the entire area, so it generally is bigger than the actual city/county/whatever. Probably giving you overlap between adjoining areas.
Having the scanner switch FLs as you move from rectangle to rectangle doesn't require that great of precision... (IMO)
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