# GPS Evaluation Board - ET312. How to use it?

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-evaluation-board-et312-how-to-use-it/9613>\
**Category:** Development Boards\
**Created:** [January 8, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-evaluation-board-et312-how-to-use-it/9613 "2009-01-08T18:03:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![senasnamas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@senasnamas](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/senasnamas)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-evaluation-board-et312-how-to-use-it/9613/1 "2009-01-08T18:03:26Z")

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Hello guys! I’m newbie here so please don’t shoot at me. One month ago I bought GPS Evaluation Board - ET312 but I couldn’t make it working with PC via USB cable. Sure that power switch is ON and port switch is on USB. As a software I’m using Mini GPS and GPSTrace under Windows XP. Maybe I need some drivers or special port configuration?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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**Author:** ![FartingMonkey92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@FartingMonkey92](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/FartingMonkey92)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-evaluation-board-et312-how-to-use-it/9613/2 "2009-01-08T18:11:13Z")

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Have you grabbed and installed the latest (2.04.14) Virtual COM Port Driver from FTDI?

Relevent link - [[FTDI Virtual COM Port Drivers](http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm)]([http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm](http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm))

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**Author:** ![senasnamas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@senasnamas](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/senasnamas)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-evaluation-board-et312-how-to-use-it/9613/3 "2009-01-08T19:30:39Z")

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Thank you FartingMonkey92! Now with installed FTDI’s driver I could see some data on terminal view of GPS Locator Utilities but fix is not available. Maybe it works only with external antenna? And what does mean switch “int/ext”?

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**Author:** ![FartingMonkey92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@FartingMonkey92](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/FartingMonkey92)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-evaluation-board-et312-how-to-use-it/9613/4 "2009-01-08T21:04:19Z")

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The “int/ext” switch is for , i believe, switching the data lines between the two serial ports or

between the internal of external GPS modules… Not too sure! :lol:

If you are having problems getting a fix, it’s probably to do with the building you’re in…

Many buildings shield GPS signals quite well, so all i can suggest is take it outside and try again…

Oh and yes, you need an external antenna… 😉