Is my EM-406A still alive?

GPS/GNSS Development Boards
1

Hi All,

Just got my EM-406 and some other Sparkfun goodies in the mail a couple of weeks ago. I’ve followed the ArduPilot kit instructions, and everything works with no problem. Except the GPS. The test suite seems to not show any NMEA or SIRF (HEX) output on the board. However, I do see a very very faint glow on the GPS LED. I’ve left the rig out under an open sky for 30 minutes and I’m still not getting any GPS lock…

Is there any way to find out if my GPS is still working? All I have is a Sparkfun FTDI USB, lots of wires/cables and time.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Teejay

p.s. I’ve left the EM-406 unplugged for 6 days. Over the Easter holidays.

2

I haven’t worked with your module before, but I would have expected you to get NMEA data… and the light to probably be more than “very dim”

Is it getting hot to the touch? What voltage are you powering this with?

3

macpod:
I haven’t worked with your module before, but I would have expected you to get NMEA data… and the light to probably be more than “very dim”

Is it getting hot to the touch? What voltage are you powering this with?

No it’s not running hot… that’s what’s odd…

Well… I’m running it via the ArduPilot board. So I think it runs out of 5v to the GPS.

4

I think I would double check the connections and if that doesn’t work take a picture and point where the guides you used are… I searched around and can’t find them. I would also double check the device is getting 5v with a voltmeter. Other than that it’s hard to say without knowing more. The dim led does worry me if it indeed is not supposed to be like that… something else you should verify!

Something else I spotted that possibly could be related?:

http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blogs … e=activity

You know it would probably be worthwhile to ask over there too, they would certainly be more familiar with the platform that this forum. :slight_smile:

5

macpod:
I think I would double check the connections and if that doesn’t work take a picture and point where the guides you used are… I searched around and can’t find them. I would also double check the device is getting 5v with a voltmeter. Other than that it’s hard to say without knowing more. The dim led does worry me if it indeed is not supposed to be like that… something else you should verify!

Something else I spotted that possibly could be related?:

http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blogs … e=activity

You know it would probably be worthwhile to ask over there too, they would certainly be more familiar with the platform that this forum. :slight_smile:

Thanks for that.

Yeah, actually I’ve tried out the code… but no cookie. :frowning:

I’ll see if I can grab a voltmeter somewhere… or I’ll just have to store it for a week and see if draining the on-board battery does the trick…