1. GPS Configuration - Having difficulty configuring Fugawi to interact with a GPS

Date Posted: 25-May-2006

Status: Preliminary

Problem:
The Receiver is connected to the computer, but "GPS: No Fix" appears at the bottom of the screen

Solution:
You are not getting a fix on your receiver. Move the antenna closer to a window or move it outside.

Problem:
The unit will not upload/download to your Garmin GPS receiver.

Solution:
In order to do upload/download of routes, waypoints and tracks with Garmin and some other GPS units, the unit itself has to be set to its upload/download mode. This is GRMN/GRMN, Host Waiting; in the interface section of most Garmin GPS units. Some units do not need to be changed between upload/download and real-time modes. Check your user manual for your GPS unit to determine the procedure for toggling between real-time and upload/download modes.

Problem:
The GPS Receiver is not communicating with Fugawi. "GPS:None" appears at the bottom of the screen.

Solution:
The successful connection to a GPS receiver requires that all of the following conditions are satisfied:

• The GPS receiver is set to output NMEA 0183 v 2 data.
• The cable from the receiver is wired correctly and does not have a fault.
• The Com port on the computer is working and is free for Fugawi to use.
• Fugawi is set to the correct Com port and baud rate.

Problem: I am not sure if I have the GPS and Computer configured properly.

Solution:
Review the following pointers:

A) Computer Configuration
If you are having problems getting Fugawi to recognize your GPS unit, make sure that no other programs are competing for the computer COM port. This may include any fax programs, terminal-type programs such as Hyperterminal, or other GPS software. Fugawi requires a fully dedicated COM Port when it is in operation with a GPS and cannot compete for the use of this COM Port. If you do have other software that uses the COM Port, ensure that they are not running while you are running Fugawi. If you still are having problems, go into each of these programs that utilize the COM Port and disable their connection to the port. This will free up the port for Fugawi.

Another thing to check in regard to the COM Port is whether or not it is recognized by your operating system. On some notebooks the port might be in use by an infrared device. If you are using Windows® XP you can check this by going into Control Panel | System | Device Manager, If you are using Windows® NT you can check this by going into Settings|Control Panel|Ports. If you have COM Ports listed here, make sure that they indicate that the devices are working and there are no conflicts.

B) GPS Configuration
For real-time navigation your GPS unit should be set to use the NMEA 0183 v 2 protocol. This is the protocol used to transmit data via the serial cable. Make sure that your GPS is set to WGS 84 Datum. This is very important. The Interface setting in the Garmin GPS, if applicable, should be set to NMEA/NMEA. Some newer Garmin units can send position information while in GRMN/GRMN mode. However, it is best to get everything working in NMEA mode before experimenting with this. The baud rate is normally set to 4800.

C) Cable
In most cases you will have a ready-made cable from the manufacturer of your receiver. If you have wired your own cable, the following instructions apply:

All GPS receivers connect to a 9 pin serial connector in the same way.
- Data FROM the GPS --> Pin 2
- Data TO the GPS -Ground -Pin 5

Please see Cable Diagram for some Garmin models

D) Fugawi Software Configuration:
In Fugawi software, go into the Settings|GPS section in the Settings tab and click on Enforce Checksum for most GPS units. Click on Change Port. Select the COM Port to which your GPS is attached. Make sure that the baud rate in Fugawi matches the baud rate in the GPS receiver. In Settings|GPS select the Model tab. Select the model of GPS unit that you are using with Fugawi 3 in the drop down menu. Leave NMEA Output unchecked in the Out tab; this should only be used for output to an NMEA device such as radar or autopilot. Click on Apply.

If your GPS receiver is transmitting properly it should be displaying your current location within Fugawi 3. Load a map that corresponds to your location to see your current position on your computer screen. If the GPS receiver is sending data but has not yet determined your position, the phrase GPS: No Fix will appear at the bottom left of the Fugawi screen. If GPS data is not being sent by your GPS receiver or is not being received by Fugawi, GPS: None will be displayed at the bottom left of the Fugawi screen. If you are receiving this message, go to Settings|GPS|Log and click on Active. If you are connected, data will appear in the window. If it looks like garbled data, the baud rates on the GPS and Fugawi are probably not matched. Double-check your settings above.