Tilt - Does GPS require External Antenna ? - Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III General

AT&TTilt - Does GPS require an External Antenna to receive satellites, or is there an internal antenna that works OK with good sky visibility ??
Thanks

There's an internal one--doesn't require an external one.

the internal antenna is OK, but if you have really bad weather (stormy, rainy) an external antenna helps for better receiption.
I have an external antenna, there was up to now only one day for using it (since november).

internal is good. never needed an external one so far. worked and works v well

I bought the external antennae a while back and it really pulls the signal in better AND faster, especially in so-so areas. For instance if I only have 2 bars without it, I get 4 or at least 3 with it. I use it all the time, stuck it to the top of my dash with a tiny velcro pad. The cable is very long so it could be mounted literally anywhere. Cost me around 35 dineros but was worth it for me.

Related

BA as car(pocket)pc

I've bought a used xv6600 off ebay which I'm going to convert to a carpc.
As a first time BA user, i have a few questions.
I have read the wiki/searched the forum, but I'm a bit mixed up and hence posting this thread.
installed versions on the phone:
model: PH20A2
ROM version: 1.36.00 WWE
ROM date 01/13/05
radio HA01_151
protocol AA.3.3.3.01
PRL 50619
extrom 1.36.116 WWE
hardware version 0041
a few notes:
- Its not going to be used as a phone as I can't register it with my local cellular provider (although they do support CMDA EVDO) - so I couldnt care less about if its radio works..
- Its going to be paired to a BT GPS from socket.
- the BA/xv6600 is going to be permanently mounted into the car (I'm still designing how, it would be in horizontal mode though).
- since It'll be permanently mounted, I won't (and couldnt) use the keyboard..
- audio out is going to be used to connect to an external speaker
- the BA will be charged from the car's 12v (always connected).
my questions are:
1) where could I find schematics for getting audio output (if exists), as well as where to connect the charge directly to the BA's connector.
I have only a cradle, no sync cable, which means I'd probably have to open up the BA and soldier directly, or get a connector...
2) should I connect audio out to the connector (if possible?) or the 2.5mm output on top of the device.. ?
3) I'd be interested in upgrading to WM5, I've read on the forums that it isn't possible on the CDMA versions because the radio doesnt work (or does it?). Since I don't care about the radio, could I install WM5 ? which ROM would be suitable for my BA model ?
awaiting your answers,
thanks!
Sounds like a neat project
ido said:
- the BA will be charged from the car's 12v (always connected).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be a bad idea...car batteries are designed to give out high power for short periods, not low constant drains. Personally I'd connect it to the ignition circuit so it's only powered when the ACC line is live. This will also turn it off for you after X minutes if you use the "auto-power off on batteries" function. It may even turn it on for you!
1) where could I find schematics for getting audio output (if exists), as well as where to connect the charge directly to the BA's connector.
I have only a cradle, no sync cable, which means I'd probably have to open up the BA and soldier directly, or get a connector...
2) should I connect audio out to the connector (if possible?) or the 2.5mm output on top of the device.. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The connector does have audio available. Buy a cable and hack it because if you mess it up you just buy another. Messing up the connector itself on the phone is more fatal. I think the schematic is on the wiki for the actual pin outs.
You might also find these useful:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Connectors
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-235616.html
yes after constant searching , i also found those threads.
Yet I'm wondering, some connectors don't include all 22 pins, but only the ones actually used for charging (for example) - and then it'll be really hard to hack them.
I guess i'll just have to hope I buy one that does have all 22 pins installed... unless you have other idea's for me.
Also, for the charger, you're right, I didn't mention that, but thats somewhat my intention.
Since the unit will be permanently mounted, I won't be able to sync it (unless I bring a laptop to my car) - could I somehow get a two SD cards installed at once to the unit ?
ido said:
yes after constant searching , i also found those threads.
Yet I'm wondering, some connectors don't include all 22 pins, but only the ones actually used for charging (for example) - and then it'll be really hard to hack them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's correct. If you get a charge & sync cable you'll have most. Might need to take audio from the 2.5mm jack in that case. That's probably the simplest solution if you cannot get a fully wired one. I'm interested in this sort of thing, so if you could post an update on what you go with I'd be grateful.
Since the unit will be permanently mounted, I won't be able to sync it (unless I bring a laptop to my car) - could I somehow get a two SD cards installed at once to the unit ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt you could get two SD cards. What may be possible is some sort of SD card extension device. Never seen one (never looked), but if it existed you could have a dash-mounted SD card.
Bluetooth or WiFi might help you e.g. with WiFi you could browse a network share to copy music over from your house. Also, there is a tool for WM5 that turns the phone into a keydrive, i.e. a USB mass storage device. Unless you need contacts etc sync'ed, that might be a bit simpler & give you more options to what you can hook up for.
PS bluetooth on WM5 isn't all that great. There is a "fix" that wakes the device now and then. This would light up your car overnight and might possibly be a thief magnet. On the other hand, if the battery dies on WM2003, you lose the data on it.
- At first I thought of making the device extractable, so I thought it'll be better to use the connector on the bottom for audio, but I've decided not to go this route (more complications and harder to make - also makes it easier for thieves.
So I'm probably going to go for the 2.5mm jack for audio.
- as for SD, since the SD slot won't be accessible, I thought of making an SD slot on the dashboard - and I'd like to switch between both.
an SD is connected via 9 pins, meaning making an SD switch is possible, but you wouldn't be able to use both.. thus I was wondering if software/hardware wise there is a builtin capabilty of such a thing as using two SD's at once. that'll be really cool.
- unfortunatly my XV6600 does not have WIFI, and BT is NOT an option for syncing (too slow !! - just imagine syncing 2gb of audio/vid via bluetooth..)
the two idea's I've had is making a USB connector on the dash (just incase I can get a laptop in the car..)
and the other, was the dash SD slot..
- for bluetooth, can't I just disable auto wakeup ?
- how will upgrading to WM5 save my data even if the battery drains ? its the same RAM chip's, not flash ROM, isn't that right ?
- as for HR's, the question is if I can somehow get the unit to 'working order' by installing software from the SD card, without actually syncing it to a computer..
fraser: Since I'm going to be connecting the ppc to the ignition circuit, and I'd also like to have a USB connector on the dashboard, I'd need to switch between the two.
i already have a car 12v connector -> usb charger device.
Should I buy a SYNC cable and convert it to charger, or car charger and convert it to USB cable ?
(although car charger might not have all the right pins..)
ido said:
thus I was wondering if software/hardware wise there is a builtin capabilty of such a thing as using two SD's at once. that'll be really cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never heard of that I'm afraid. A switcher may work, but make sure there aren't any other physical switches that get tripped when you put a card in.
- for bluetooth, can't I just disable auto wakeup ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this BT issue is the biggest one on WM5
- how will upgrading to WM5 save my data even if the battery drains ? its the same RAM chip's, not flash ROM, isn't that right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's different ones. WM5 uses the "storage" area for your personal data; you now no longer have /storage as it's all in there. The RAM becomes proper RAM, although you can use some of it as a ramdisk with the same loss-of-power issues as WM2003.
- as for HR's, the question is if I can somehow get the unit to 'working order' by installing software from the SD card, without actually syncing it to a computer..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I do. I've stopped using the PC installers, there is enough junk on my PC. Just find the cabs for the apps and keep a copy on the SD card.
Not all apps have cabs.. so that might be a problem.
as well as I'll have to make pre-made .reg fixes just incase I'll have to HR.
as for WM5, if I install it, won't I have less free space then ?
ido said:
Not all apps have cabs.. so that might be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can extract the cabs in various ways. Some exe's can even be opened in winrar.
as for WM5, if I install it, won't I have less free space then ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can reformat the storage area to 60 meg before the upgrade. Only before though. You don't get a memory slider like in WM2003.
Still, I'm not so sure on WM5 being the best for you. You'd want to have reliable BT and I'm not sure it is on WM5.
So I guess I'll stick with WM2003 for the time being.
I'm ordering an SD slot for the dashboard, as well as a USB connector.
Another Idea I've had is the need for the hardreset as well as reset button.
to which version should I upgrade my rom then ?
ido said:
- an SD is connected via 9 pins, meaning making an SD switch is possible, but you wouldn't be able to use both.. thus I was wondering if software/hardware wise there is a builtin capabilty of such a thing as using two SD's at once. that'll be really cool. ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry to butt-in but, someone had done that before: SD-WiFi & SD Mem Card in parallel on the same 9 pin source: pda sd expansion.
a switch might be of help if you don't want to use the two slots simultaneously.
Yes I've seen that. Its a pretty lame hack if you read it to the end.
there's a better link with larger photo's for anyone interested:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.hutchinson27/pockpc/
also, his project doesnt seem to work at the same time, and I've decided not to go with the switch route.
I'm reading a lot of the SD specs, So there is a very slim possibility I'll be able to get two cards to co-exist (and I would love some proffesional help if any of you guys know more about SD's then I do).
if not, then I'll just make an SD slot on the dashboard..

TomTom6 very slow accessing maps from 2gb micro compared to PPC6700 w/ 2gb mini

Has anybody experienced that TomTom6 is awfully slow compared to TomTom stand alone devices and also any other PPC w/ external and/or internal gps? It just takes too long to calculate routes. For example, a 20 mile trip takes about 2-3 mnutes on the Tilt to analyze roads and come up with the proper route whereas my friend's PPC 6700 w/ external gps and a stand alone TomTom takes 10-15 seconds to do the same!!
I tried using external GpS w/ tilt but it was still as sluggish as w/ internal GPS.
So if I buy a micro SDHC, would this solve my problem?
I have no issues running TT6 or it's calculation speeds from my 4GB micro sd card.

HTC Wings has SDIO?

I have htc wings - he has SDIO?
Yes it does.
Please, Canyou show me on any photo HTC Wings, where is this slot?
SDIO is basically additional I/O capabilities through your regular SD slot, on the right side of the phone. I wonder, what do you need SDIO for btw? The phone has already built-in wlan, which seems to me to be the main reason for such a slot.
on the right side of the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
???on right side is microSD , no SD???
i need sdio, because built-on wifi is very small range (200-400 m) . I think that external wifi has more range
SDIO is the name of a technique, not a size. But no, the phone has no regular SD-sized SDIO slots, only a microSDIO slot. I don't know if any microSDIO cards exist though.
You might want to set your wifi transmit power higher for better range, if you haven't done so already. I doubt that an external wifi card will get you a better range, since the size of the antenna in such a card won't be bigger than what is already built into the phone.

External Antenna: Experiment

1 - Unmount Nexus 4
2 - Unmount router
3 - Disconnect internal antenna
4 - Connect antenna router.
RESULTS:
Internal Antenna: -51dBm 31asu
External Antenna: -69dBm 22asu
imageshack.com/a/img537/5858/AvqyxX.jpg
HSPA connects but the WiFi is not working, why?
If I unlock the network lte I can improve connection lte?
Thanks for your answers.
That connector is for one of the cell radio antenna, not the WiFi radio.You're also getting worse cellular "reception" as the WiFi antenna is not designed for cellular frequencies nor balanced or impedance matched.
The WiFi radio doesn't have an external connector, just the two pressure-pins on the left side that connect to the microstrip antenna adhered to the backside of the rear case. No antenna means you'll get nearly zero or poor WiFi reception.
Indeed. Notice the minus sign on those dBmW values. The higher the number part (when the sign is negative), the less the signal.

Antenna connectors

Did anybody notice the two antenna connection points near the SD card? Does anybody know what connector this is? I'd like to buy an adapter to test with an external antenna.
It's called U.FL I assume that one is for the cell radio and the other is for wifi/bluetooth. Does anybody know for sure which is which?
Re: Blu R1 HD Antennas
The coax going from the u.fl near the sim/SD going to the bottom of the phone is the cell antenna. I had to replace my speaker and also upgraded it, requiring me to remove parts of the plastic backing. I didn't see the adhesive antenna and cut through it. My WiFi works great, but almost no cell signal.
Just an fyi here You can get a FM radio to work on blu r1 hd with the unlock tool which can be found here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/r1-hd/how-to/unlock-tool-t3561333
You have to go to the second menu by pressing 5

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