Uniden 996T & GPS question

[kc8qln]

Is there any benefit (at all) for putting a GPS antenna on a fixed 996T, that is not mobile?

I have a chance to get a GPS antenna cheap, but I don't know if it adds any value to a base station.

 

[Dubbin]

Is there any benefit (at all) for putting a GPS antenna on a fixed 996T, that is not mobile?

I have a chance to get a GPS antenna cheap, but I don't know if it adds any value to a base station.

It would do you no good at all.

 

[K9GTJ]

No benefits I can think of. (I have mine mobile and the GPS locks and unlocks sites very nicely.)

 

[daktony]

kokomo 1,

what kind of gps you have with the 996t? i am looking for one, but dont want to spend more than $200. thanks

 

[inextremis]

kokomo 1,

what kind of gps you have with the 996t? i am looking for one, but dont want to spend more than $200. thanks

Look at this one http://www.garmin.com/products/gps18/, you can find it at a better price than on the Garmin site by doing a little bit of Googling (around $60~70).

Andre

 

[DaveNF2G]

I have a Garmin GPS72 and haven't been able to get it to talk to my 996 yet.

 

[UPMan]

To use the GPS72, you'll need the 010-10141-00 cable or equivalent. You also need to make sure the unit is set to output NMEA and not Garmin proprietary format (see the GPS72 O/M, page 47).

 

[DaveNF2G]

Oh, I've purchased the cable and made the menu adjustments. I just don't see any signs of contact between the unit and my scanner, or for that matter between the GPS and my computer when I connect it there.

I bought the GPS-72 used. Is there a way to verify that its serial communications are working? (probably best to carry on this conversation via PM)

 

[Universaldecoder]

Lock-on...target acquired...arming primary weapons...etc....

Hello Dave,

The Garmin will begin transmitting data once it has locked onto satellites.

If your testing your setup inside an enclosed building, the Garmin may not be recieving satellite data and as a result will have nothing to send the computer or the 996T (making it seem like it is not communicating).

Try it by a window or better yet outside. If it is a non SirF gps unit, it'll take awhile for it to lock-on, and you can basically forget using it indoors (unless you have an external antenna hooked up to it that is outside or by a window). These older units need as much sky as possible (line of sight).

 

[DaveNF2G]

I think you've hit it on the head. I didn't realize the unit needed real sat signals in order to do anything else. I tried it in simulation mode and got nothing, so I figured I was doing something else wrong. Thanks for the info!

 

[Universaldecoder]

To the OP - A GPS antenna is just a GPS antenna. You also need a GPS receiver to go with it. For a fixed 996T neither is useful.

To Daktony - I use a portable handheld gps unit (GPSmap 60csx) that is also used for business travels, hiking, fishing, and cycling. The gps unit resides in a pull out bin that sits below my car's a/c knobs when used with the 996T.

The only two downsides with this setup is....
1. You gotta turn it on seperately.
2. I often forget it somewhere else....like in my fishing vest, or travel case. Driving off in my personal car I find it upsetting to reach down into that pullout bin to turn on the gps unit and only to find it empty. Soon remembering that I forgot the darn GPS unit at home. Now I've got to listen to nearly 72 systems being scanned one by one on my commute. Some systems barely and therefore annoyingly breaking the squelch.

I second the use of a straightford receiver like the GPS18 (non-SirF) or that similar device sold by Scannersoft.com that has the SirF II chipset. Checkout the offerings from "USGLOBALSAT" also.

They have one that I currently got my eyes on...it's a permanent mount with SirF III. Found it on line for $79.99. Only thing is it needs a voltage adapter, and the only place I know that sells this adapter is Scannersoft.com as part of their GPS package (which I think is an older model USGLOBALSAT gps receiver). Also the permanent mount gps utilizes a 7/8" hole. This is non standard, and will be difficult to "plug" when I sell the car. The norm is either 3/8" or 3/4" - rain caps and plugs are easily obtainable for these.

 

[UPMan]

Now I've got to listen to nearly 72 systems being scanned one by one on my commute. Some systems barely and therefore annoyingly breaking the squelch.

To solve this for my setup, I've created an alternate "No GPS" configuration. I assign my No GPS systems to Startup Key 2 and my GPS systems to Startup Key 1. If I forget my GPS or (as more often happens) the batteries go dead with my spares elsewhere, I cycle power while holding down 2. Drops the system/site list down to 15 or 20 instead of 100+

 

[newbie]

for a fixed unit you may use gpsfeed+ it is a program that will send GPS strings to the com ports.

I use that instead of creating a few configurations. One for home, one for work and one mobile. I just plug the cable into my 996 and use the program at the different locations. Well I use my Garmin Etrex Vista while mobile.

 

[Universaldecoder]

To solve this for my setup, I've created an alternate "No GPS" configuration. I assign my No GPS systems to Startup Key 2 and my GPS systems to Startup Key 1. If I forget my GPS or (as more often happens) the batteries go dead with my spares elsewhere, I cycle power while holding down 2. Drops the system/site list down to 15 or 20 instead of 100+

Thanks UPman...I'll give this a try.