"No GPS"

[dav...@softintel.com]

Hi,

I'm experiencing intermittent  GPS connection issues.  

When I power up the bGeigi Nano with a clear line of sight to the sk,  it detects any where from 6-12 satellites.

However, when I'm driving: 'NO GPS'.  If I stop the car, sometimes it will reacquire the GPS connection, however, it's intermittent.

If I power cycle the Nano, it seems to have a better chance of reacquiring the GPS connection.

Would adafruit's external antenna help?  Has anyone tried using the external antenna with the Pelican 1010 case?

I built 'bGeigieNano.hex' myself on a MacBook Pro running OS X 10.9.2 from: 

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP/MacOSX/FTDIUSBSerialDriver_v2_2_17.dmg

CrossPack-AVR-20131216.dmg

bGeigieNanoKit-master

David-Laxers-MacBook-Pro:bGeigieNanoKit-master davidlaxer$ make

mkdir -p .dep/./

/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin/avr-g++  -Os -Wall -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -mcall-prologues  -funsigned-char -funsigned-bitfields -fpack-struct -fshort-enums -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=8000000L -DARDUINO=100 -DUSB_VID= -DUSB_PID= -I. -Iutil -Iutility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/cores/arduino -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/variants/eightanaloginputs/ -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306 -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306/utility -w  -c -MMD -MP -MF .dep/bGeigieNano.ino.dep -o bGeigieNano.o -x c++ -include /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/cores/arduino/Arduino.h bGeigieNano.ino

mkdir -p .dep/./

/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin/avr-g++  -Os -Wall -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -mcall-prologues  -funsigned-char -funsigned-bitfields -fpack-struct -fshort-enums -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=8000000L -DARDUINO=100 -DUSB_VID= -DUSB_PID= -I. -Iutil -Iutility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/cores/arduino -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/variants/eightanaloginputs/ -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306 -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306/utility -w  -c -MMD -MP -MF .dep/HardwareCounter.cpp.dep -o HardwareCounter.o HardwareCounter.cpp

mkdir -p .dep/./

/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin/avr-g++  -Os -Wall -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -mcall-prologues  -funsigned-char -funsigned-bitfields -fpack-struct -fshort-enums -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=8000000L -DARDUINO=100 -DUSB_VID= -DUSB_PID= -I. -Iutil -Iutility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/cores/arduino -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/variants/eightanaloginputs/ -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306 -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306/utility -w  -c -MMD -MP -MF .dep/InterruptCounter.cpp.dep -o InterruptCounter.o InterruptCounter.cpp

mkdir -p .dep/./

/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin/avr-g++  -Os -Wall -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -mcall-prologues  -funsigned-char -funsigned-bitfields -fpack-struct -fshort-enums -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=8000000L -DARDUINO=100 -DUSB_VID= -DUSB_PID= -I. -Iutil -Iutility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/cores/arduino -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/variants/eightanaloginputs/ -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306 -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306/utility -w  -c -MMD -MP -MF .dep/NanoSetup.cpp.dep -o NanoSetup.o NanoSetup.cpp

mkdir -p .dep/./

/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin/avr-g++  -Os -Wall -fno-exceptions -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -mcall-prologues  -funsigned-char -funsigned-bitfields -fpack-struct -fshort-enums -mmcu=atmega328p -DF_CPU=8000000L -DARDUINO=100 -DUSB_VID= -DUSB_PID= -I. -Iutil -Iutility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/cores/arduino -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/hardware/arduino/variants/eightanaloginputs/ -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306 -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/SoftwareSerial/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/EEPROM/utility -I /Users/davidlaxer/Downloads/Arduino-master/libraries/Wire/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_GFX/utility -I libraries/Adafruit_SSD1306/utility -w  -c -MMD -MP -MF .dep/TinyGPS.cpp.dep -o TinyGPS.o TinyGPS.cpp

/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin/avr-gcc -Os -Wl,--gc-sections -mmcu=atmega328p bGeigieNano.o HardwareCounter.o InterruptCounter.o NanoSetup.o TinyGPS.o .lib/arduino.a -lm -o bGeigieNano.elf

/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin/avr-objcopy -O ihex -R .eeprom bGeigieNano.elf bGeigieNano.hex

rm bGeigieNano.elf

make upload

Uploading to board...

*GUESSING* at serial device: /dev/tty.usbserial-AFJRNTM2

stty -f /dev/tty.usbserial-AFJRNTM2 hupcl

/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin/avrdude  -DV -p atmega328p -P /dev/tty.usbserial-AFJRNTM2 -c arduino -b 57600 -U flash:w:bGeigieNano.hex:i

avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.01s

avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e950f

avrdude: reading input file "bGeigieNano.hex"

avrdude: writing flash (27700 bytes):

Writing | ################################################## | 100% 13.88s

avrdude: 27700 bytes of flash written

avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK (H:00, E:00, L:00)

avrdude done.  Thank you.

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

On Mar 30, 2014 10:02 AM, <dav...@softintel.com> wrote:
> I'm experiencing intermittent  GPS connection issues.  
>
> When I power up the bGeigi Nano with a clear line of sight to the sk,  it detects any where from 6-12 satellites.
> However, when I'm driving: 'NO GPS'.  If I stop the car, sometimes it will reacquire the GPS connection, however, it's intermittent.
> If I power cycle the Nano, it seems to have a better chance of reacquiring the GPS connection.
>
> Would adafruit's external antenna help?  Has anyone tried using the external antenna with the Pelican 1010 case?
>
> I built 'bGeigieNano.hex' myself on a MacBook Pro running OS X 10.9.2 from: 
>

The build looks fine, but we have seen a lot of issues with the toolchains so far... The obvious test is to load an "official hex" and see if it works. Then debug either the hardware or your build environment, but not at the same time.

Maybe one of the linked libraries or the Arduino IDE is a different version as well?

Kalin.

[dav...@softintel.com]

It was build with Arduino 1.0.5 (e.g. Arduino-master.zip).

I'm trying bGeigieNano.hex, version 1.3.5 from:

https://github.com/Safecast/bGeigieNanoKit

Has anyone tried the adafruit external GPS antenna w/Pelican 1010?

[dav...@softintel.com]

David-Laxers-MacBook-Pro:bGeigieNanoKit-master davidlaxer$ ls -l bGeigieNano.hex

-rw-r--r--  1 davidlaxer  staff  77929 Mar 25 16:43 bGeigieNano.hex

David-Laxers-MacBook-Pro:bGeigieNanoKit-master davidlaxer$ avrdude -DV -p atmega328p -P /dev/tty.usbserial-AFJRNTM2 -c arduino -b 57600 -U flash:w:bGeigieNano.hex:i

avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.01s

avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e950f

avrdude: reading input file "bGeigieNano.hex"

avrdude: writing flash (27700 bytes):

Writing | ################################################## | 100% 13.88s

avrdude: 27700 bytes of flash written

avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK (H:00, E:00, L:00)

avrdude done.  Thank you.

On Saturday, March 29, 2014 7:26:37 PM UTC-7, Kalin Kozhuharov wrote:

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

On Sun, Mar 30, 2014 at 11:58 AM, <dav...@softintel.com> wrote:
> It was build with Arduino 1.0.5 (e.g. Arduino-master.zip).
>
> I'm trying bGeigieNano.hex, version 1.3.5 from:
>
> https://github.com/Safecast/bGeigieNanoKit
>

Yep.

> Has anyone tried the adafruit external GPS antenna w/Pelican 1010?
>

Yes it works very well, but you generally shouldn't need it. We have
one at the office, stuck to the window with cable routed to the work
table, it really helps with getting a quick fix without hanging at the
window for minutes.

And please make sure you tune that SPAMARREST service to allow mail
from @safecast.org if you want direct answers...

Kalin.

[dav...@softintel.com]

Uploading the firmware from step 1b (e.g. 1b) Use prebuild image (Mac OS X)) and resetting the GPS didn't help.

However, uploading the firmware from the bGeigeiNano_V1.3.5_uploader.app.zip app and resetting the GPS solved the 'No GPS' problem.

Curiously, Switch #2 in the off position doesn't dim the RED LED, it turns the LED off.  The red LED remains light at full power when switch 2 is on.

• small Red LED will only glow if: GPS is locked, SD card is present, battery has more than 10% charge left, unit is on for one minute, geiger tube is providing a pulse). It can be dimmed by putting the DIP switch #2 Off.

Also, the height measurement on the OLED display jumps between a correct value (say 25m) to 20.1km.  The 'bogus' height reading appears whenever the blue LED on the log breakout flashes.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[dav...@softintel.com]

Mea Culpa.  The 201.km is distance traveled! 

[dav...@softintel.com]

Are the 2 dip switches (SW1) supposed to dim the blue and red LEDs or completely disable them?

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

On Mon, Mar 31, 2014 at 12:43 AM, <dav...@softintel.com> wrote:
> Are the 2 dip switches (SW1) supposed to dim the blue and red LEDs or
> completely disable them?
>

Those are on/off switches, have a look at the schematic, top right:
https://github.com/Safecast/SafecastEagleHW/raw/master/bGeigieNanoKit/tofab/bGeigieNanoKit.pdf

If the switch just dims them, there is another more serious problem,
possible short of some kind. Or D1 soldered in reverse?
The buzzer is tied to the count LED (blue), so it should be muted as well.


Kalin.

[dav...@softintel.com]

>> Those are on/off switches,
Understood.

Yesterday, I took a drive with my bGeigie nano.

I looked at the files on the microSD card and no data is being recorded. 

Any ideas?

22150331.LOG

# NEW LOG

# format=1.3.5nano

# deadtime=on

 

Config.txt:

9600,26,3,2,1,1,0

baud,escape,esc#,mode,verb,echo,ignoreRX

Safecast.txt:

nm=Safecast

did=2215

gt=0

gm=0

cpmf=334

cpmn=Cs137

bqmf=37

bqmn=Cs137

al=150

tz=-8

cn=US

st=0

ss=0

sh=100

sm=0

cw=60

Thanks in advance!

[dav...@softintel.com]

I should have mentioned that the Blue LED was 'shorted' (e.g. - either defective or damaged from soldering).

So, there's currently no blue LED.

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

Hmm...

Did the GPS get a fix? (Screen should show location/altitude; GPS led
should blink very slow (once every 10 s))
Was the switch in record mode?

I hope you've read through this?
https://github.com/Safecast/bGeigieNanoKit/wiki/Nano-Operation-Manual

The best test is to go outside where there is good GPS signal/open
sky, then take a picture of the screen and describe LED behaviour
(taking a picture in a strong sun usually does not work; use shade or
early evening).

Kalin.

[dav...@softintel.com]

Yes, I read the Nano User's Manual.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, the GPS had a fix.  The red LED by SW1 was lit continuously,

2. I drove from Hansville, WA on the Kitsap Peninsula to Kalaloch Lodge on the Olympic Peninsula (400+ km round trip).  The GPS was reading properly the whole time.

The height and the distance traveled was also correct.  The CPMs varied from 18 CPM to 45 CPM (only in a few places).  The CPM on the Pacific was 22-32.

I expected to have a log file with 12 hours of data capture and to my surprise ... it was empty.  :-)

3. The red LED on the GPS breakout is flashing,

4. the blue LED on the Logger breakout is flashing.

Any thing else I should check?

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

Hmm...

That is getting weired...

Really sorry about the lost drive data, we should think of better "OK"
indicator may be, but the platform is really short on RAM.

We have a MTG at the office tonight, I'll bring this up and get back
to you later.


Kalin.

[Rob Oudendijk]

Could you try a simple recording again?  And see if anything gets recorded this time.

[dav...@softintel.com]

Wow!  Now there's data in the file.  I didn't change anything.  What's going on?

# NEW LOG

# format=1.3.5nano

# deadtime=on

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:31:33Z,16,4,16,V,4752.6751,N,12234.1899,W,42.10,A,10,89*78

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:31:38Z,19,3,19,V,4752.6749,N,12234.1985,W,46.30,A,11,86*79

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:31:43Z,22,3,22,V,4752.6758,N,12234.2060,W,53.90,A,11,86*7A

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:31:48Z,23,1,23,V,4752.6773,N,12234.2100,W,59.00,A,10,90*78

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:31:53Z,24,1,24,V,4752.6781,N,12234.2106,W,62.50,A,11,86*72

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:31:57Z,25,1,25,V,4752.6794,N,12234.2098,W,63.00,A,11,86*70

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:32:03Z,27,2,27,V,4752.6981,N,12234.2049,W,84.40,A,11,86*7A

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:32:08Z,30,3,30,V,4752.6934,N,12234.2030,W,80.40,A,11,86*74

$BNRDD,2215,2014-04-01T01:32:13Z,32,2,32,V,4752.6922,N,12234.2024,W,80.50,A,11,86*7C

...

Should I try to upload it to the SafeCast API?

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

On Tue, Apr 1, 2014 at 1:52 PM, <dav...@softintel.com> wrote:
> Wow! Now there's data in the file. I didn't change anything. What's going
> on?
>

Our next generation remote control, we call it lucky-try-1.2.4!
Don't worry, NSA is not spying at you ;-)

Rob, any ideas as to why it might have worked on the second try?

> Should I try to upload it to the SafeCast API?
>

I had a look at the file, nothing wrong with it, upload it if you want
to see the full data cycle.
Or do some more testing outside and upload that.

Cheers,
Kalin.

[dav...@softintel.com]

I found the file from the Olympic Peninsula and uploaded it !!!  

:-)

What's the processing delay from upload->server->IOS app. download? (e.g. - before I can download the uploaded data into my IOS app.)

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

OK, so after looking closely at the images of your Nano we all agreed
that you need to redo all your soldering :-|

There are quite a few places that look bad: half-soldered places (not
all of the pad covered, cold soldered, excess solder/ball-up). Do a
search on Google images about "bad soldering". There is a very good
chance that you have some intermittent connection that just was off
during your drive (depending on unit orientation, etc.).

A few Howto videos are also available:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f95i88OSWB4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Sb21qbpEQ

Chances are that "the problem" will come again later, on your most
important drive, so better to rework everything now.

You might have been using too thick of a solder, or having put the
solder on the iron?
I know it takes a lot of time, but I am afraid we connot help you much
more from remote.

Alternatively, find a local hackerspace, fablab, etc. and ask around -
you might find somebody to teach/help you or they might have better
soldering stations for you to use.

Cheers,
Kalin.

[dav...@softintel.com]

Thank you for following up on this!  And thank you for the soldering tutorial links.  Thanks for the feedback!

My first soldering experience (e.g. - the resistors) since high-school, was using a solder which was way too thick (0.093 Diameter).  I had to get a rosin flux remover pen to clean things up.

I also used the wrong tip. 

I'm currently using a Weller 60 watt iron, the pointy tip and .75mm 60/40 solder. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068IJNQ/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is this ok?

I don't have a 'third-hand' which would probably make everything a lot easier.  

Can you give me an example of some 'bad soldering' connections from the photo's I sent?

When you say 'redo all my soldering', does this mean:

1. use a desolder pump tool to remove all the solder from the joint, then re-solder it? or,

2. just re-heat the joint so that it looks proper,

3. it depends.  Use 1 & 2 (above) judiciously.

[dav...@softintel.com]

Improved?

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

Yes, that looks more solid, although a bit too "scorched" ;-)

Can you confirm the capacitor on the top right of the second image on
the red OpenLog boad is not melted?

And, does it work now?

Kalin.

[dav...@softintel.com]

Yes, it works.  Log file attached.

The capacitor C1 is not melted.

However, I haven't taken it for a drive, yet.  I'm still waiting for the blue replacement LED.

Questions:

1. how do you remove the rosin flux buildup?  I used a rosin flux remover pen, however, it seems to have just spread a thin layer of the rosin flux around the PCB. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092PY7FI/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2. after the battery charger light on the Arduino breakout goes out, the charge status on the OLED displays only shows 93%.  Is this a problem?

3. for soldering nano, do you recommend:

Kester Pocket Pack Solder 60/40 0.031", or

Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .020" 

4. the toggle switch: Is not seated 'squarely' - it's slanted.  I tried to remove it and reseat it properly.  However, the desolder suction and/or solder wicking cable aren't helping me to remove the toggle switch.

Any ideas?  (Just leave it as is?)

E.g. Toggle switch: It fits above the rectangular outline between transistor "T1" and the blue "COUNT" LED. It has three leads, and a mounting clip with 2 pins. Solder them all in place.

Thanks in advance!

[Kalin KOZHUHAROV (Safecast)]

On Thu, Apr 3, 2014 at 11:36 AM, <dav...@softintel.com> wrote:
> Yes, it works. Log file attached.
>
> The capacitor C1 is not melted.
>

Good!

> Questions:
> 1. how do you remove the rosin flux buildup? I used a rosin flux remover
> pen, however, it seems to have just spread a thin layer of the rosin flux
> around the PCB.
>
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092PY7FI/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
>

If you used rosin core solder, the best is to use Isopropyl alcohol
and soak the spots with a small brush.
Make sure you don't brush too much with a plastic brush, esp in a
dry-room - static electricity can build up and kiil the ICs.

> 2. after the battery charger light on the Arduino breakout goes out, the
> charge status on the OLED displays only shows 93%. Is this a problem?
>

I have to check, but I guess that is normal.

> 3. for soldering nano, do you recommend:
>
> Kester Pocket Pack Solder 60/40 0.031", or
> Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .020"
>

I have to check what we use in the office or at home... I think most
of what we use is not rosin core.
Also, for really great job, I use a "magic" fluxpen , will get you
details later.

> 4. the toggle switch: Is not seated 'squarely' - it's slanted. I tried to
> remove it and reseat it properly. However, the desolder suction and/or
> solder wicking cable aren't helping me to remove the toggle switch.
> Any ideas? (Just leave it as is?)
>

Probably fine, if it can get in the case.
To remove heavy pieces like that, a vacuum solder sucker (even a hand
one) does _really_ help.
e.g. http://www.amazon.com/MuchBuy-Solder-Desoldering-Removal-Desolder/dp/B00EL7IJA6
Otherwise, using toothpick(s) to poke out the melted solder works sometimes.
Both procedures risk overheating/melting something around, so if it
looks OK and works - leave it.

Kalin.