Possibly Dead Unit?

[Henry]

I have been scouring the Forum here and the topic that matches my issue the most is HERE   One thing that is different with my issue is the FIX light never comes on.   I am unable to see the unit via I2C, however, do we really need I2C communications to be functioning for the FIX to connect with the GPS system?  I would think that would be a hardware/firmware connection and not a software connection.  Nevertheless, I have tried a Raspberry Pi Zero, Zero W, 3B 1.1, 3B 1.2, and 4.  None of these combinations work.  I am using 3 different SD cards using the latest Raspian Lite (for the Zeros), or the Raspian Buster Desktop (for the Model 3/4).

[Mark Williams]

Hi, i2c is only used by the IMU.

The GPS just uses Serial.

How do you have it setup?

+internal or external antenna?
+What position is the antenna switch in?
+When testing, are you outside with clear access to sky?

Mark --OzzMaker.com --

[Henry]

Internal GPS antenna

I purchased brand new pi zero W – just got it today via Amazon. I am using 2019-09-26-raspbian-buster-lite   Buster.

I am now out on the patio trying to use it

No FIX light is blinking – however, power light is on

running cat /dev/serial0  and screen /dev/serial0 9600  this is what screen is reporting even after 20 minutes of waiting

$GNGSA,A,1,,,,,,,,,,,,,99.99,99.99,99.99*2E
$GNGSA,A,1,,,,,,,,,,,,,99.99,99.99,99.99*2E
$GPGSV,1,1,00*79
$GLGSV,1,1,00*65
$GNGLL,,,,,,V,N*7A
$GNRMC,,V,,,,,,,,,,N*4D
$GNVTG,,,,,,,,,N*2E
$GNGGA,,,,,,0,00,99.99,,,,,,*56
$GNGSA,A,1,,,,,,,,,,,,,99.99,99.99,99.99*2E

 

 

[Henry]

I just got a new Berry Unit via Amazon.  I performed the following:

download – 2019-09-26-raspbian-buster-lite.zip
Flash microSSD with Etcher
Place microSSD into rPi Zero W
sudo raspi-config
setup wireless access
enable ssh
reboot
putty into rPi Zero W
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
reboot
sudo raspi-config
interfacing options -> Serial -> No -> Yes
reboot
take unit outside on patio
turn power on
go back inside house
putty into rPi Zero W
cat /dev/serial0
wait 30 minutes

=== unit is working.  The other unit must be a DOA.

Thanks,

[Author]

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