GS406 Helical GPS Receiver - problems

I have hooked up the receiver and have it connected to a macbook. I used the a USB MB5 as the converter. I get data and it seems just like nothing of value other then it looks like the correct format.

this is all I get out of it:

$GPRMC,V,N*53

$GPVTG,N*30

$GPGGA,0,00,99.99,*48

$GPGSA,A,1,99.99,99.99,99.99*30

$GPGSV,1,1,00*79

$GPGLL,V,N*64

this would tell me the GPS radio either does not work is not connected properly, or is not seeing anything.

Do I have to set it up with prior to using it?

anybody have any ideas of what diagnostic tools I could use on the Mac?

is the MB5 the wrong thing? If so what should I use?

Thanks anyone…