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tcpdump

311 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3


#72766 2-Dec-2010 11:15
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Hi,

I have replaced my old car GPS with a HTC TYTNII (also known as Tilt, Kaizer and a few other names).
The old one used to work fine but the HTC doesn't find any satellites if I keep it under the windshield. If I open the sunroof or keep it out of the side window it finds satellites pretty quickly and then it will continue to work in the windshield, so just the lock is impossible inside the car.

I have tried various ROMs (WM 6.1 and currently on WM 6.5), nothing made a difference.

I don't want to use an external antenna as I won't be able to use magnetic ones (the car frame is 100% aluminum) and I don't quite want wires sticking out anyway.

Are there any software tweaks that can be done in order to get a lock with weaker signal? If it gets a lock then the reception is pretty reasonable (3-4 satellites, sometimes even 5), enough for a decent navigation through the city.
I have installed QuickGPS and has the information up to date. I also have a SIM card with data enabled so it can do a basic triangulation before acquiring satellites but still cannot find anything unless I take it out of the car.

Thanks.

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Niel
3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

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  #412176 2-Dec-2010 17:16
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There is nothing you can do to the phone to make it better. You need 4 satellites for a lock. My E-Ten phone does not find any until I go outside our home - we have an iron roof... Outside it finds 10 to 20.

The issue is with the size of antenna. The built-in one is only a small resonating ceramic chip maybe 5 to 10 mm long. Even a small whip antenna is much better, but who wants that on a hand held device?

Your old one must have been better designed with e.g. the antenna further away from the battery, As they get smaller and more integrated while batteries stay the same size it becomes harder to find a place for the antenna so designers have to compromise.




You can never have enough Volvos!




SpookyAwol
639 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 54


  #412197 2-Dec-2010 18:04
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Use an internal bluetooth gps receiver in  the car? (Assuming your phone has bluetooth)

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