Arduino Mega2560 Ultimate GPS Breakout v3

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1

Greetings everyone,

I just got my 1st arduino and I have encountered a problem.
My setup:
Arduino MEGA 2560 connected to an Ultimate GPS Breakout v3 (RX, TX, GND, 3.3V), connected to an antenna.
I installed the adafruit gps library and I uploaded the HardwareSerial Echo test but it didn't print anything even got an error sometimes. How can I get those gps readings?

I got this error message:
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: verification error, first mismatch at byte 0x0700
0x00 != 0x91
avrdude: verification error; content mismatch
avrdude: verification error; content mismatch

Was I supposed to change something in the code? Am I missing something important?

2

Can you load the basic blink program ?

3

hadn't checked... no, still error

4

even the bare minimum gives an error! lol

5

Can you post a link to that board, please; if we go hunting for it we might find the wring one.

If that means that the board is connected to the RX and TX pins of the Mega, it will interfere with the upload. The ttl-to-usb chip of the Mega is connected to the same pins.

Also be careful hen mixing 3.3V and 5V devices. The Mega will output 5V on its output pins (TX in this case) and not all 3.3V devices can tolerate that.

1 Like
6

that helped, I put the pin in the VIN as I originally thought it to be the right one (later changed due to something I read here).
Now I do get something when I use blinc:
15:41:13.520 -> $GPGSA,A,1,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,1E
15:41:13.553 -> $GPRMC,000114.799,V,,,,,0.00,0.00,060180,,,N41
15:41:13.586 -> $GPVTG,0.00,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,N*32
15:41:14.482 -> $GPGGA,000115.799,,,,,0,00,,,M,,M,,*7A

but nothing when I upload the gps code, that's weird...

GPS: Adafruit Ultimate GPS Breakout - 66 channel w/10 Hz updates [PA1616S] : ID 746 : $29.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

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7

No thats normal, the output from the GPS clearly indicates it does not have a fix.

8

you're right.. so I need a... better spot??? :joy:

9

Of course, the GPS needs to be outdoors with a good view of the sky.

10

that's not good... I really need to use it indoors... pfff... thanks though, you both really helped!

11

Dont plan on it.

Can work, you might get a fix in 10, 20 minutes or more or maybe never.

Even if you do get a fix (eventually) the position will likely be way out.

12

You may get signal close to a window - I can use my GPS under a skylight in the kitchen for example. Also, you've got a long cable on that antenna; perhaps you can arrange to have that piece outside.

What do you plan to use it for?

13

I took the antenna outside and now I get something with blinc, but not with the gps code, know why?

16:02:47.303 -> $GPGGA,130247.000,3812.4013,N,02146.0712,E,1,03,3.95,110.7,M,34.8,M,,60
16:02:47.370 -> $GPGSA,A,2,16,27,08,,,,,,,,,,4.07,3.95,1.0004
16:02:47.403 -> $GPGSV,3,1,09,27,68,325,38,16,47,219,45,08,34,313,41,18,22,068,3076
16:02:47.502 -> $GPGSV,3,2,09,26,,,27,21,,,35,32,,,24,10,,,2978
16:02:47.536 -> $GPGSV,3,3,09,23,,,2477
16:02:47.569 -> $GPRMC,130247.000,A,3812.4013,N,02146.0712,E,0.30,118.55,150621,,,A6C
16:02:47.635 -> $GPVTG,118.55,T,,M,0.30,N,0.55,K,A*36
16:02:48.366 -> $GPGGA,130248.000,3812.4013,N,02146.0714,E,1,03,3.95,110.3,M,34.8,M,,6D
16:02:48.432 -> $GPGSA,A,2,16,27,08,,,,,,,,,,4.07,3.95,1.0004

14

I want to connect it to a particle detector array that'll be portable to take it to schools and show some science to those little punks :slight_smile:

15

Sorry ?

The blink code has nothing to do with reading a GPS.

Do you have the GPS connected to the RX,TX pins on the Mega, pins 0 and 1 respectivly.

16

yes, I do.
I don't know why but when I run the blinc, the info starts flowing....

17

The pins you have attached the GPS to are the ones the serial monitor talks to, so it's being echoed. Generally, you would put the GPS on another serial port.

Looks like you're getting a fix though.

18

I'm not sure what you mean? What could I have connected differently? What other port?
As for the fix, I really don't understand why I get all this info with blink. It makes 0 sense! And why the gps code does nothing...

19

Connect the GPS to one of the Megas free hardware UART ports, Serial1, Serial2 or Serial3 and set the GPS software for that serial port.

20

Which serial port does your GPS program expect the GPS to be attached to?