DIY Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: What types of GPS
receivers can be used?
A: Typically all GPS receivers equipped with a serial RS232 port can
be used. But the converter as build using the schematics on this site is
designed to use a baudrate of 4800. Normally, NMEA 0183V2 compliant GPS
receivers use 4800 baud, No parity, 8 databits, 1 stop bit as the default
factory setting and can therefore be used with the GPS IRDA converter. By using
different values for part in the schematics, it is possible to use different
baudrates.
Some handheld GPS receivers use a TTL level ( as opposed to a RS232 level)
serial data stream. This can not be supplied to the converter directly because
this data stream is inverted.
Q: Is it possible to use
the GPS IRDA converter to upload waypoint to a GPS receiver?
A: A sample schematic is supplied here that should make it
possible to use the GPS IRDA converter to upload waypoints to the GPS receiver
using software like OziExplorer. Normally the GPS receivers capable of load ing
waypoints use a baudrate of 9600 baud to do this.
Q: What types of PDA's
are supported?
A: See the Supported page for PDA's that are currently supported. As
for now only PocketPC PDA's are supported. I have had several people asking me if it
is possible to connect a GPS receiver to a Palm Tungsten T3 using the GPS IRDA
converter. But so far nobody seems to get this working. I do not own a Palm
myself, so I'm not able to test this myself.
If your using a PDA that is not in the list and you are successfull in using
that device with the GPS IRDA converter, please let me know.
Q: What is the pinout of
the DB9 RS232 connector?
A: The DB9 RS232 connector has three pins that are important:
