FLARM - No GPS

On Sun, 27 Nov 2016 10:55:37 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

Thanks for the information, Martin.

Here are results from the last IGC file generated by my portable unit:

HFGPSType:u-blox LEA-6A .
.
.
F19130905101315182021252629

But all of these were recorded while my portable was receiving GPS
signals. Now that it doesn't receive the GPS signals, it does not
create an IGC file... I'm getting the feeling that there's no recourse
but to send it back for testing and repair.

If the PF can't read the A and H records and write them to the beginning
of the log maybe its got bigger problems than not finding the GRS
receiver, so at least contacting Flarm or the local rep to report that
your PF is not even writing the A and H records to the log and quoting
its serial number at them may be a good start. After all, it was working
and suddenly now its not.

*** One thought does occur: does the memory stick / SD card you're trying
to write the log to have a write protect switch? If so, it may be worth
making sure that its set to 'write' and trying the start the PF again if
it was write protected.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

At 19:45 27 November 2016, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Sun, 27 Nov 2016 10:55:37 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

Thanks for the information, Martin.

Here are results from the last IGC file generated by my portable unit:

HFGPSType:u-blox LEA-6A .
.
.
F19130905101315182021252629

But all of these were recorded while my portable was receiving GPS
signals. Now that it doesn't receive the GPS signals, it does not
create an IGC file... I'm getting the feeling that there's no recourse
but to send it back for testing and repair.

If the PF can't read the A and H records and write them to the beginning
of the log maybe its got bigger problems than not finding the GRS
receiver, so at least contacting Flarm or the local rep to report that
your PF is not even writing the A and H records to the log and quoting
its serial number at them may be a good start. After all, it was working
and suddenly now its not.

*** One thought does occur: does the memory stick / SD card you're trying

to write the log to have a write protect switch? If so, it may be worth
making sure that its set to 'write' and trying the start the PF again if
it was write protected.

Interesting...

ANY IGC-approved recorder should record a file even if there is no GPS
signal. This is so it can act as an Electronic Barograph. This is written
into the IGC Specification.

Note: SeeYou will not display a file without GPS data, nonetheless a file
should be created.

An IGC file should be created once the minimum movement has been detected.
Without a GPS signal this will be a vertical movement (launch).

If no file is created, this needs to be resolved. I seem to recall that
Flarm use the Real-Time Clock on the GPS board and if Flarm cannot read the
RTC, who knows?

On the subject of SD cards, before reformatting, please read
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

An incorrectly formatted SD card is to be avoided.

--

Good thought about the SD card; it is/was not write protected. To
verify, I deleted everything in it (after saving to my hard drive),
reinserted it into the PF, took it out side, froze my butt off, powered
it up, and waited. No joy...

Before shutting it down I created a diagnostic dump file which can be
looked at HERE
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gbf2xgoij6kb98r/PFP00960.DMP?dl=0 if you
know how. I also copied the log file to my drop box HERE
https://www.dropbox.com/s/typrd4dz1a4g69t/PFP00960.TXT?dl=0. Reading
it, it appears that the unit talked with the GPS and everything was OK,
but it never received any satellites. That makes no sense unless
there's a problem with the internal GPS antenna or circuit wiring.

The log file implies to me that, during startup, the unit was looking
for other files which it did not find. When I acquired the unit, it
started right up without an SD card (which I purchased later). What
might that mean?

Dan

On 11/27/2016 2:24 PM, Tim Newport-Peace wrote:
At 19:45 27 November 2016, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Sun, 27 Nov 2016 10:55:37 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

Thanks for the information, Martin.

Here are results from the last IGC file generated by my portable unit:

HFGPSType:u-blox LEA-6A .
.
.
F19130905101315182021252629

But all of these were recorded while my portable was receiving GPS
signals. Now that it doesn't receive the GPS signals, it does not
create an IGC file... I'm getting the feeling that there's no recourse
but to send it back for testing and repair.

If the PF can't read the A and H records and write them to the beginning
of the log maybe its got bigger problems than not finding the GRS
receiver, so at least contacting Flarm or the local rep to report that
your PF is not even writing the A and H records to the log and quoting
its serial number at them may be a good start. After all, it was working
and suddenly now its not.

*** One thought does occur: does the memory stick / SD card you're trying
to write the log to have a write protect switch? If so, it may be worth
making sure that its set to 'write' and trying the start the PF again if
it was write protected.

Interesting...

ANY IGC-approved recorder should record a file even if there is no GPS
signal. This is so it can act as an Electronic Barograph. This is written
into the IGC Specification.

Note: SeeYou will not display a file without GPS data, nonetheless a file
should be created.

An IGC file should be created once the minimum movement has been detected.
Without a GPS signal this will be a vertical movement (launch).

If no file is created, this needs to be resolved. I seem to recall that
Flarm use the Real-Time Clock on the GPS board and if Flarm cannot read the
RTC, who knows?

On the subject of SD cards, before reformatting, please read
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

An incorrectly formatted SD card is to be avoided.


--
Dan, 5J

Dan,

I am not familiar with the log file, but the last lines of the log file
read:

00336.753 ERROR Insufficient supply voltage, shutting down
00336.754 ERROR Battery type: alkaline
00336.754 ERROR Battery voltage: 4.28
00336.755 ERROR External supply voltage: 0.00

Could this be a clue?

Best regards,

Tim.
--
At 21:34 27 November 2016, Dan Marotta wrote:
Good thought about the SD card; it is/was not write protected. To
verify, I deleted everything in it (after saving to my hard drive),
reinserted it into the PF, took it out side, froze my butt off, powered
it up, and waited. No joy...

Before shutting it down I created a diagnostic dump file which can be
looked at HERE
if you
know how. I also copied the log file to my drop box HERE
. Reading
it, it appears that the unit talked with the GPS and everything was OK,
but it never received any satellites. That makes no sense unless
there's a problem with the internal GPS antenna or circuit wiring.

The log file implies to me that, during startup, the unit was looking
for other files which it did not find. When I acquired the unit, it
started right up without an SD card (which I purchased later). What
might that mean?

Dan

On 11/27/2016 2:24 PM, Tim Newport-Peace wrote:
At 19:45 27 November 2016, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Sun, 27 Nov 2016 10:55:37 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

Thanks for the information, Martin.

Here are results from the last IGC file generated by my portable
unit:

HFGPSType:u-blox LEA-6A .
.
.
F19130905101315182021252629

But all of these were recorded while my portable was receiving GPS
signals. Now that it doesn't receive the GPS signals, it does not
create an IGC file... I'm getting the feeling that there's no
recourse
but to send it back for testing and repair.

If the PF can't read the A and H records and write them to the
beginning
of the log maybe its got bigger problems than not finding the GRS
receiver, so at least contacting Flarm or the local rep to report that
your PF is not even writing the A and H records to the log and quoting
its serial number at them may be a good start. After all, it was
working
and suddenly now its not.

*** One thought does occur: does the memory stick / SD card you're
trying
to write the log to have a write protect switch? If so, it may be
worth
making sure that its set to 'write' and trying the start the PF again
if
it was write protected.

Interesting...

ANY IGC-approved recorder should record a file even if there is no GPS
signal. This is so it can act as an Electronic Barograph. This is
written
into the IGC Specification.

Note: SeeYou will not display a file without GPS data, nonetheless a
file
should be created.

An IGC file should be created once the minimum movement has been
detected.
Without a GPS signal this will be a vertical movement (launch).

If no file is created, this needs to be resolved. I seem to recall that
Flarm use the Real-Time Clock on the GPS board and if Flarm cannot read
the
RTC, who knows?

On the subject of SD cards, before reformatting, please read
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

An incorrectly formatted SD card is to be avoided.


--
Dan, 5J

Thanks, Tim, but I don't think so. I was shutting down the unit with
the knob when those lines were written. When I have it externally
powered for an hour it still does not receive satellites. And thanks
for taking the time to review the log.

Dan

On 11/27/2016 3:42 PM, Tim Newport-Peace wrote:
Dan,

I am not familiar with the log file, but the last lines of the log file
read:

00336.753 ERROR Insufficient supply voltage, shutting down
00336.754 ERROR Battery type: alkaline
00336.754 ERROR Battery voltage: 4.28
00336.755 ERROR External supply voltage: 0.00

Could this be a clue?

Best regards,

Tim.

--
Dan, 5J

On Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:15:15 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

Thanks, Tim, but I don't think so. I was shutting down the unit with
the knob when those lines were written. When I have it externally
powered for an hour it still does not receive satellites. And thanks
for taking the time to review the log.

Did you have internal batteries installed during this externally powered
trial? If so, what type were they?


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

No batteries were installed during use with external power connected
since the manual stated that alkaline batteries could leak with external
power connected and I don't have any rechargeables which are in decent
condition.

My wife compared the log file generated when the unit was working to the
log file generated after the unit failed and she found what looks like
some unexplained differences. I'm going back to square one to generate
a new FLARMcfg.TXT file and will try again with fresh batteries
installed since I'm at home and don't have access to external power.

I'll report back what I find...

On 11/28/2016 10:04 AM, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:15:15 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

Thanks, Tim, but I don't think so. I was shutting down the unit with
the knob when those lines were written. When I have it externally
powered for an hour it still does not receive satellites. And thanks
for taking the time to review the log.

Did you have internal batteries installed during this externally powered
trial? If so, what type were they?



--
Dan, 5J

Have you considered replacing your batteries in the Portable?

From the last few lines of your dmp file.

00336.753 ERROR Insufficient supply voltage, shutting down
00336.754 ERROR Battery type: alkaline
00336.754 ERROR Battery voltage: 4.28
00336.755 ERROR External supply voltage: 0.00

Bob

On Sun, 27 Nov 2016 14:34:15 -0700, Dan Marotta
wrote:

Good thought about the SD card; it is/was not write protected. To
verify, I deleted everything in it (after saving to my hard drive),
reinserted it into the PF, took it out side, froze my butt off, powered
it up, and waited. No joy...

Before shutting it down I created a diagnostic dump file which can be
looked at HERE
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gbf2xgoij6kb98r/PFP00960.DMP?dl=0 if you
know how. I also copied the log file to my drop box HERE
https://www.dropbox.com/s/typrd4dz1a4g69t/PFP00960.TXT?dl=0. Reading
it, it appears that the unit talked with the GPS and everything was OK,
but it never received any satellites. That makes no sense unless
there's a problem with the internal GPS antenna or circuit wiring.

The log file implies to me that, during startup, the unit was looking
for other files which it did not find. When I acquired the unit, it
started right up without an SD card (which I purchased later). What
might that mean?

Dan

On 11/27/2016 2:24 PM, Tim Newport-Peace wrote:
At 19:45 27 November 2016, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Sun, 27 Nov 2016 10:55:37 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

Thanks for the information, Martin.

Here are results from the last IGC file generated by my portable unit:

HFGPSType:u-blox LEA-6A .
.
.
F19130905101315182021252629

But all of these were recorded while my portable was receiving GPS
signals. Now that it doesn't receive the GPS signals, it does not
create an IGC file... I'm getting the feeling that there's no recourse
but to send it back for testing and repair.

If the PF can't read the A and H records and write them to the beginning
of the log maybe its got bigger problems than not finding the GRS
receiver, so at least contacting Flarm or the local rep to report that
your PF is not even writing the A and H records to the log and quoting
its serial number at them may be a good start. After all, it was working
and suddenly now its not.

*** One thought does occur: does the memory stick / SD card you're trying
to write the log to have a write protect switch? If so, it may be worth
making sure that its set to 'write' and trying the start the PF again if
it was write protected.

Interesting...

ANY IGC-approved recorder should record a file even if there is no GPS
signal. This is so it can act as an Electronic Barograph. This is written
into the IGC Specification.

Note: SeeYou will not display a file without GPS data, nonetheless a file
should be created.

An IGC file should be created once the minimum movement has been detected.
Without a GPS signal this will be a vertical movement (launch).

If no file is created, this needs to be resolved. I seem to recall that
Flarm use the Real-Time Clock on the GPS board and if Flarm cannot read the
RTC, who knows?

On the subject of SD cards, before reformatting, please read
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

An incorrectly formatted SD card is to be avoided.

Dan,

My experience with the Portable PowerFlarm is that I need to replace the alkaline batteries every 4-5 hours.

I just went to the local low cost warehouse and bought a brick of alkalines and replace them every flight.

A better choice is to put rechargeable cells in the unit and the use ships power to run it. That leaves the internal battery for backup. Be sure to change the setting in the unit for the correct type of battery.

Mike

On Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 6:49:12 PM UTC-5, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Dan,

My experience with the Portable PowerFlarm is that I need to replace the alkaline batteries every 4-5 hours.

I just went to the local low cost warehouse and bought a brick of alkalines and replace them every flight.

A better choice is to put rechargeable cells in the unit and the use ships power to run it. That leaves the internal battery for backup. Be sure to change the setting in the unit for the correct type of battery.

Mike

Link with FLARM recommendation for batteries for Portable:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/rec.aviation.soaring/powerflarm$20portable$20batteries%7Csort:relevance/rec.aviation.soaring/rp5rNv1y80g/g17DkORP2XUJ

exerpt:
"...We have run various tests with high temperatures rechargeable
batteries and PowerFLARM.
I will spare you from the details, but the conclusions a

1)
Recharging must take place in an area where the ambient temperature
does not surpass 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35C) as otherwise the PF
charging circuit will refuse to charge to prevent overheating.

2) Best rechargeable batteries to use (by far !) a
Sanyo XX Battery Powered by eneloop, 2500mAh High Capacity, Ni-MH
http://tinyurl.com/PF-rechargeables

Make sure they are the XX 2500mAh type, Sanyo/eneloop also sells lower
capacity AA's

With these batteries we have repeatedly measured runtimes of over 9h
at 70C (158 F) ambient with full backlight.

We will update the manual accordingly.
Please also remember that PowerFLARM does not charge the batteries
when it is turned on.


See you all soon!
Urs
FLARM"

I checked and they're still on Amazon.

Dan
2D