SDS100/SDS200: SDS200 NO GPS - Resolved/Fix

[sideshowjim]

First time programming SDS200 with a system for road trip. After spending a lot of time researching posts on RadioReference and trying every suggestion I could find related to the “No GPS” issue, I finally got things working and wanted to share what solved it for me.


I went through my up to date Sentinel programming multiple times—verify the target model, deleting, rebuilding and reloading, checking the configurations, and verifying everything was set correctly. I also tried two different GPS dongles and two different cables (all factory). In addition, I checked the receiver’s menu several times to confirm system settings, location control, systems to scan, etc. Everything appeared correct, but I still had no GPS and “nothing to scan”.

As another test, I went back into the receiver’s menu and turned Location Control OFF for the target system. As expected, the scanner immediately began scanning all sites and departments, including some that are more than 125 miles from my location. At least I knew the system was scanning.

I then went back into the menu and turned Location Control back ON… and BAM!—GPS activated as soon as I exited the menu. The scanner immediately began scanning the nearby systems as intended.

It appears that although Sentinel showed Location Control set to ON, and the receiver menu also indicated it was ON, the GPS wasn’t actually being recognized until I manually toggled Location Control OFF and then back ON directly in the receiver’s menu.

BTW, I have 2 “996's” with GPS, so, this is not my first GPS related rodeo.



Hopefully this helps someone else who runs into the same issue.

 

[nessnet]

I strongly urge anyone that hasn't done it already to edit their (in my case detail trunk) display and add a lat and a long field.
I use the two fields under the direction arrow on the right upper.

You then always know you have a GPS lock, (or not...) with a quick glance.

 

[sideshowjim]

Yes! To "nessnet" comment regarding GPS Lat & Long fields, I have it set in my detailed display.

 

[eaf1956]

The issue I have with GPS and the SDS 200s is that one is 4800 Baud and the other 9600 Baud. Sentinel seems to think even with 2 different configs that it's one or the other. So 1 works the other not until I change Baud rate manually.

 

[ofd8001]

Rather interesting. I do not recall seeing any posts with the original comment, toggling Location Control On/Off will "wake up" GPS,

As a side note, one could always manually enter the current zip code which should approximate a decent location. That concept also works to "test fly" distant locations to see if GPS scanning triggers what should happen. For example if you are in Green Bay and want to test Madison "stuff", just enter Madison's zip code. (Of course GPS has to be disconnected for this to work).

One other thing that is different with SDS 200s compared with 996s is this. On the 996s you can get away with a 0/0 Lat/Long entry. The 996s will turn that Group/Department on (always).

But with the SDS 200s, 0/0 is a real place out in the ocean and is the default location for manually entered Departments. So if your scanner thinks it is in Green Bay, it's going to turn off that 0/0 Department because you ain't there. It will potentially give you a "Nothing to Scan" message.