A Rare Chance

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Nicholas Stock

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Nov 6, 2016, 9:12:19 PM11/6/16
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Nick

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Nov 6, 2016, 9:37:07 PM11/6/16
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Crack and a poor repair in the cover too. Also missing the magnet to set the reed switches.

The GPS on these units does die - mine failed about 10 years ago and I only got round to restoring and upgrading it just before Jeff died.

It may be that the new firmware for the haicom replacement GPS is available elsewhere.

Nick

Terry S

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Nov 6, 2016, 9:51:20 PM11/6/16
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It may also be simply programmed "off" and the time-out is normal....

neoni...@liny.net

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Nov 7, 2016, 1:33:32 AM11/7/16
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Looks like there’s a possible power supply issue as that 100uf 25v cap appears to be bulging on the top rather than nice and flat like its neighbors.

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Nick

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Nov 7, 2016, 2:14:51 AM11/7/16
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Quite a lot changed with the upgrade - new firmware, new components for the new GPS puck, removal of the old GPS unit from underneath, replacement of the BNC for a PS2-style connector (for the new Haicom GPS unit), changes in the anode resistors and the current limit for the PSU etc.

Nick

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Nov 26, 2016, 11:52:43 AM11/26/16
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Back on yet again...

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/401226819712

Nick

MichaelB

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Dec 3, 2016, 11:57:54 AM12/3/16
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Somebody got a decent deal there. Damage is minimal, a new acrylic top is relatively cheap, and they can be upgraded to a conventional GPS puck fairly easily.

Nick

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Dec 3, 2016, 3:46:12 PM12/3/16
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It's actually quite a fiddly job and you need the new firmware from somewhere...

Nick

MichaelB

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Dec 3, 2016, 4:20:59 PM12/3/16
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You're right Nick about converting that BNC connector opening to something like a mini phone jack, that takes some finesse, but the electronic piece is pretty simple. I've done about 10 of them now. Here's a pic of my last NixiSat endeavor. Got hold of one of the original green PCB's.

MichaelB

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Dec 4, 2016, 12:53:22 PM12/4/16
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As an adjunct, old FW will not work with most new GPS pucks because it is written to look for a 1PPS output from the Axiom/Oncore. 99% of the newer pucks have done away with the 1 PPS output. The later fw looks for the onset of the $GPRMC message ( broadcast every second) and uses it as a trigger. I believe the GlobalSat MR350 still does have a 1 PPS out so should be able to mod a NixiSat and get her up and running with existing fw. I am not certain that GPS still has a 1 PPS out though.
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