GPS Compatibility?

n1zyy · 02-27-2003

I started playing with NetStumbler today, and was excited to learn about its GPS capability. I eagerly dug out my GPS and serial cable, only to find that my laptop has no serial port.

I do have a parallel port and a pair of USB ports, none of which I use. So here's what I'd like to know:

- Will NetStumbler recognize my GPS (Garmin GPS III Plus) if I buy a serial-to-parallel converter and hook it up to my computer's parallel port? (On Windows XP Home edition, if it makes a difference.)

- Same question, but with a serial-to-USB converter?

If both, is there any significant advantage to going the USB route? The parallel-serial cable was about $12, whereas the USB-serial converters seem to be more to the tune of $50 (!).

Thanks for your help; can't wait to get GPS capability!

khel · 02-27-2003

I'm not sure about serial to parallel as I never used it, but serial to usb works just fine.

kd7ela · 02-27-2003

I had the same problem you have now. I have the Garmin eMap. I use the serial to usb got it for like $30 if i remember right. I don't have the 802.11? card yet (on its way) but NS still detects it and doesn't have a problem with it yet. I do have to tell NS where to look for it (i.e port 4). but it isn't that hard. Hope this helps you out!

By the way how did you get 1x3 call your only a Tech according to QRZ.

All well

n1zyy · 02-28-2003

Hmm, I'll have to go pick up the USB-to-serial converter and give that a try. Can't wait to try it out.

I always thought 1x3's were 'standard issue.' Once they filled the N1 prefix, they went to KB1. Always cool to find other hams in non-ham-related venues.

blackwave · 02-28-2003

for usb-serial I would recommend:

keyspan's High Speed" USB Serial Adapter
USA-19QW (this item replaces part # USA-19W)
http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/USA19W/
windows/mac/linux support

n1zyy · 02-28-2003

Hmm, I just bought something from Belkin ($39.99 at the local CompUSA); I need to try to install the drivers that came with it. (XP seems to need them...)

blackwave · 02-28-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by n1zyy
Hmm, I just bought something from Belkin ($39.99 at the local CompUSA); I need to try to install the drivers that came with it. (XP seems to need them...)

yeah you can read my belkin issues on my xp setup I once used...
here:
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...&threadid=2156
and here:
http://forums.netstumbler.com/showth...&threadid=2303

ryanerb · 03-01-2003

im going to try the serial->parallel route, the converter is just a little piece of hardware for 3.50 from digi key.

n1zyy · 03-02-2003

Let me know how it works out. I ended up going the USB-serial route, and even got it to work. (!)

Of course, with my @#$#@$ non-external-antenna-capable network card, I haven't found any WAPs except for my house, so it doesn't do me an awful lot of good right now... But it has the potential to.

02-27-2003	#1 (permalink)
n1zyy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6	GPS Compatibility? I started playing with NetStumbler today, and was excited to learn about its GPS capability. I eagerly dug out my GPS and serial cable, only to find that my laptop has no serial port. I do have a parallel port and a pair of USB ports, none of which I use. So here's what I'd like to know: - Will NetStumbler recognize my GPS (Garmin GPS III Plus) if I buy a serial-to-parallel converter and hook it up to my computer's parallel port? (On Windows XP Home edition, if it makes a difference.) - Same question, but with a serial-to-USB converter? If both, is there any significant advantage to going the USB route? The parallel-serial cable was about $12, whereas the USB-serial converters seem to be more to the tune of $50 (!). Thanks for your help; can't wait to get GPS capability!

02-27-2003	#3 (permalink)
kd7ela Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 3	I had the same problem you have now. I have the Garmin eMap. I use the serial to usb got it for like $30 if i remember right. I don't have the 802.11? card yet (on its way) but NS still detects it and doesn't have a problem with it yet. I do have to tell NS where to look for it (i.e port 4). but it isn't that hard. Hope this helps you out! By the way how did you get 1x3 call your only a Tech according to QRZ. All well Last edited by kd7ela : 02-27-2003 at 08:47 PM.

02-28-2003	#5 (permalink)
blackwave Do I look like I'm joking Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: SoCal, OC Posts: 4,507	for usb-serial I would recommend: keyspan's High Speed" USB Serial Adapter USA-19QW (this item replaces part # USA-19W) http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/USA19W/ windows/mac/linux support __________________ -=BW=-

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02-27-2003	#2 (permalink)
khel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 107	I'm not sure about serial to parallel as I never used it, but serial to usb works just fine.

02-28-2003	#4 (permalink)
n1zyy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6	Hmm, I'll have to go pick up the USB-to-serial converter and give that a try. Can't wait to try it out. I always thought 1x3's were 'standard issue.' Once they filled the N1 prefix, they went to KB1. Always cool to find other hams in non-ham-related venues.

02-28-2003	#6 (permalink)
n1zyy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6	Hmm, I just bought something from Belkin ($39.99 at the local CompUSA); I need to try to install the drivers that came with it. (XP seems to need them...)

03-01-2003	#8 (permalink)
ryanerb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3	im going to try the serial->parallel route, the converter is just a little piece of hardware for 3.50 from digi key.

03-02-2003	#9 (permalink)
n1zyy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6	Let me know how it works out. I ended up going the USB-serial route, and even got it to work. (!) Of course, with my @#$#@$ non-external-antenna-capable network card, I haven't found any WAPs except for my house, so it doesn't do me an awful lot of good right now... But it has the potential to.