Hello, I have just bought new ZED-F9P, with magnet attach antenna and 3m wire.
Two questions:
Can I cut the wire shorter and reinstall the SMA connector ? I only need about 50cm.
Since this module should give the accuracy about 10cm, is the position I get, the position of the antenna, or the position of the chip ZED-F9P itself ?
As long as you’re able to terminate the cable correctly, you should be able to cut it. Might want to make it a bit longer than you need just in case you don’t get the connector crimped correctly the first try. Position is that of the antenna, the receiver only processes the data coming in from the antenna.
Hello I have tried to use my ZED-F9P module now, but I have difficulties to get GPS lock now. I have cut my antenna wire to about 40cm and installed new SMA connector to it. I am not absolutely sure if it has good contact with the female SMA connector.
Is there a way to verify/measure that antenna is connected properly (because it is not possible to measure it with multimeter) ? I have a metal plate under the antenna. Can you suggest better antenna than my magnet attached ant ?
When I go outside and get clear skyview, after about 5-10 minutes I get GPS lock (PPS led starts blinking), however the Arduino library still reports zero position and 0 satellites. After ZED-F9P reset, it starts to report GPS coordinates,
do I have to reset the module every time ? And there is no way to know in Arduino code, that I have GPS lock ??
ZED-F9P gets 3.3v power from Arduino, and I have noticed that when I use power from 220v to 12V transformer I get faster GPS lock than using 6V battery ? Could it be that 6V is too little to power Arduino Nano Every, 2 Bluetooth Mates and the GPS module ?
My ZED-F9P is connected with I2C to Arduino and also have two Bluetooth Mates, one is connected to Arduino serial (to give commands from phone/tablet) and the other is connected to UART2 of the GPS module for RTK messages. I have configured NTRIP client on my Android tablet to send RTK messages (as described in the GPS RTK hookup guide). UART2 is configured to 38400 baud and the NTRIP client seems to connect and send RTK messages correctly. But the RTK led stays green and does not start to blink, so I think I don’t receive RTK correction properly. What to do ?
It sounds like you have a poor connection, probably in the SMA connector you put on the antenna. Can you send a photo showing how that’s connected?
A bad connection would cause low signal and that would cause all the other issues you’re seeing.
Hello, here is a picture from my connection
On the left there is a ZOE-M8Q module with small test antenna, this one gets GPS lock in a few minutes.
There is something really weird here, this morning when turned it on PPS led start blinking immediately (GPS lock) with over 20 satellites, however I had to reset ZED-F9P twice before it started to report location via I2C.
How can make this reliable, maybe something wrong in SMA connector ?
I still have a problem with RTK corrections, RTK led does not start to blink, even though correction messages are sent from NTRIP client. Should I configure Bluettooth serial baudrate slower than 38400baud ?
Maybe it was not a good idea to cut the antenna cable shorter. In some posts they say that antennas are designed for certain length, making it shorter, causes to loud and noisy signal to the GPS module.
Is that true or false in this case ? Do I have to get new antenna ?
There is something really weird here, this morning when turned it on PPS led start blinking immediately (GPS lock) with over 20 satellites, however I had to reset ZED-F9P twice before it started to report location via I2C.
How can make this reliable, maybe something wrong in SMA connector ?
Maybe it was not a good idea to cut the antenna cable shorter. In some posts they say that antennas are designed for certain length, making it shorter, causes to loud and noisy signal to the GPS module.
Is that true or false in this case ? Do I have to get new antenna ?
Not sure about the cable length question, it could be a factor. I’d try a new antenna and see if that fixes things for you. Double check your connections, you might have something loose that makes a connection after you manipulate the assembly to reset it.
Are you sure your messages are getting transferred from the base to the rover? Have you tried skipping Bluetooth and just running wires between RX, TX and GND to eliminate any potential issue with wireless?I still have a problem with RTK corrections, RTK led does not start to blink, even though correction messages are sent from NTRIP client. Should I configure Bluettooth serial baudrate slower than 38400baud ?
Generally, coax length isn't important in receiving antennas. It can play a role in transmitters when the standing wave ratio is a concern.heikkiw:
Maybe it was not a good idea to cut the antenna cable shorter. In some posts they say that antennas are designed for certain length, making it shorter, causes to loud and noisy signal to the GPS module.
All things equal, a shorter cable should perform better when trying to receive a low power signal like GPS. A longer cable has higher resistance (bad) and may introduce increased noise (also bad).
Hello, and thanks for your advice. I am waiting a new antenna now though not sure it helps.
However I found a possible problem in powering the ZED-F9P. I am using the Arduino Nano 3.3v power source to power the ZED-F9P. According to specs only 50mA is possible, but I measured that GPS module takes about 100mA when it is getting GPS lock. I connected ZED-f9P 5V pin to 5V regulator and works much better now.
My question is now: is it safe to connect 5v pin directly to Lipo 2S battery (nominal voltage 7.4V) ?
Or should I connect it to Arduino 5V output, that is already sourcing two Bluetooth Mates ?
Or connect Gps module 5v to Arduino 5v and the two Bluetooth Mates to GPS Module 3.3V output ?
I do not want to damage my ZED-F9P, it is too expensive.
No, that would probably break something.My question is now: is it safe to connect 5v pin directly to Lipo 2S battery (nominal voltage 7.4V) ?
That would be a good solution, just make sure you have a 5 volt power source that can source enough current for everything and you should be OK.Or should I connect it to Arduino 5V output, that is already sourcing two Bluetooth Mates ?
I would avoid that as well, the 5 volt to 3.3 volt regulator on the GPS is really only meant to power the GPS, not additional parts.Or connect Gps module 5v to Arduino 5v and the two Bluetooth Mates to GPS Module 3.3V output ?
