[NTLK] GPS Mouse Antennas for Newton (was: Hiking Newton)

From: RAParker (RAParker_at_Quadzilla.NET)
Date: Wed Feb 09 2005 - 13:34:42 PST


Success!

I can confirm that GPS mouse style antennas will work with the Newton.
Specifically, I purchased a Polstar PGM-111 antenna with the PS/2
connector and their 9-pin RS-232 (w/USB power tap) adapter cable. There
are other similar GPS devices available, from several different
manufacturers, but I went with this specific (PS2/9Pin/USB) adapter
because of its compactness, simplicity and versatility. The 9-Pin
provides the RS-232 connection to my Newton and the USB power tap takes
power from a USB battery pack or from a USB cigarette lighter adapter.

You can look at the GPS antenna, RS-232 cables and the power supply
setup here:

   http://webpages.charter.net/quadzillanet/newtongps.jpg

Believe it or not, the entire setup you see, fits neatly into the back
pockets of the Army camo case.

   http://webpages.charter.net/quadzillanet/howtopack.jpg

Yesterday, I successfully used the PGM-111 with GPS Lite (v1.29) on my
Newton MP120 (v1.3!) to track myself through town. With the antenna
mounted to the Newton itself (as seen in the picture) and driving with
the Newton sitting on the center console inside the car, I was able to
track 4-6 satellites with fairly good results. Using the antenna
outside, either mounted on the roof of the car or walking around with
my Newton, I'm able to track 8 or 9 satellites.

Next: Learning to create topo maps for downloading into GPS Map. Fun,
fun, fun...

Ron

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RAParker
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