Geocaching

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GPS questions (iusearchlinux.fyi)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/geocaching

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I picked up a two gpses for better accuracy when caching, and I haven't got to go to an open field, but I live in an urban environment and don't have a full view of the sky, but I just can't get more than 2 satellites connected to it. Is this because of the lack of sky view and is there a way to see the locations of gps satellites in the sky?

edit: solved by waiting a long time under clear sky

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

https://in-the-sky.org/satmap_worldmap.php?gps=1 has a map of satellite positions.

The app GPS essentials is even better though, shows all the GPS satellites above the horizon for your position, in grey until your phone gets a lock-on. Inner circle is 45°, outer is horizon, makes it quick to get a rough idea of where they are in the sky.
Actually, in a dense city you might be better off using a phone. Since it will position you based on cell towers, WiFi Geo mapping, and whatever GPS satellites are visible.

[–] agent_flounder 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Two gps isn't that much better than one in my experience. Because they're both subject to the same atmospheric effects.

What I have found is the brand and model make a huge difference.

If you have a GPS with a ublox chip, you're in good shape. Those chips can pull in a 3d fix in my damn basement. The sensitivity is insane.

I also had great results with Venus chips but idk if any oem uses them. Ublox you can find easily. USB dongles, breakout boards, etc.

The MediaTek chips I've used can't get a fix even outside unless conditions are really good.

Anyway... If you've got a gps plugged into a laptop there are utilities to show a sky map and where sats are and which are being received. Usually the chip maker makes a utility like this. (E.g. u-center for ublox)

If it's a handheld gps there is usually a screen with a similar display.

[–] rowinxavier 1 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Maybe check for a clock issue. If they are out of sync it can be very hard to get a good gps fix.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

it seems that this fixed it, i just had to wait a quite long time.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

thanks for the idea. ill check that out now