GPS Issues Since April 6 Change

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DaveW6DPS

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I have a couple of older GPS units that appeared to stop working after the April 6 epoch rollover.

If it had just been a simple rollover like has happened before there would probably have been no problem.

This time they "fixed it" by changing to a 16 epoch word, from 10 bit.

Some older GPS units don't work, some do. Recent units should not be affected.

So far I have found one module I use with rockets, another I used for high altitude balloons, and one serial GPS "puck" that no longer work. Another "puck" has the position and date displayed but way off (May 2, 1999).

None of my USB pucks or hand-held units are affected. About half the serial ones. Still testing.

If you are using a GPS for rocketry make sure you test it before your next flight, especially if you have had it more than a couple of years. Finding out during prep or flight that it died would be quite inconvenient.
 
If your GPS looks like this, there may be ways to fix it, depending on the make/model. I am trying on my ancient Garmin, and will post the results. Or we could just party like its 1999!!!

gps with eow issue.jpg
 
If your GPS looks like this, there may be ways to fix it, depending on the make/model. I am trying on my ancient Garmin, and will post the results. Or we could just party like its 1999!!!

View attachment 380909
Yes, I'd be interested as I have the Garmin you pictured above (12) plus a 76 model. I'm going to fire them up now. Will also check my Eggfinder units.
 
Yes, I'd be interested as I have the Garmin you pictured above (12) plus a 76 model. I'm going to fire them up now. Will also check my Eggfinder units.
Well, I don't have my Garmin 12. We just moved late last yr and I now remember finally parting with it. I still have my GPSmap 76 and it fires up with correct date, but not the time....off by one hour (DST, I guess). I also got rid of my E-trex 30 during the move since it stopped working and Garmin wanted $99 to fix.
 
I checked my Eggfinder (built about 3-4 years ago) yesterday, it was working fine, showing 8 satellites. Now, I need to dig out my two Garmin handhelds and test them. I'm sure my Dakota will be okay, but, my old Legend is probably going to be affected.
 
My oldish Garmins (yellow Etrex and Vista C, both circa 2004-5 IIRC) are both fine.
 
I just fired up my GPSmaps 60C and it has the correct date/time and still hitting sats. Good thing since I'll be using it in a few weeks to go hiking and searching for fall hunting spots.
 
My old Etrex Venture works fine. The only hand-held that isn't is the GPS 12. It shows the position fine, it just thinks it is September 99 even aster a hard reset.

I don't think Eggfinders have been around long enough to be affected, but you never know. Big Red Bee GPS trackers are also unaffected, at least the two in my possession.
 
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