Hello,
I have a NEO-6M GPS Modul NEO6MV2 which is connected to a FTDI module to log my position with ublox center and only get 1 to max 2 satellites (outdoors). Datatransfer at 9600 as it is described at the datasheet.
My modul: 
i also attached a picture of ublox center while the GPS is connected.
Maybe someone had a different problem and can help me with this?
Either the GPS or its antenna is faulty.
hm .. ok i already ordered a new one. Thanks anyway!
At any time, there is at least 3 satellites available above any point on the Earth. Without clouds and at open, you will have signal strong more than 25 and you will have a fix for location. One more satellite lock and you will have a fix for altitude as well.
This condition you describing is when GPS just started to search sky and picked at the moment only one strongest signal, probably just above. Wait a while, for 30 seconds the most.
Can you be certain that antenna is not damaged or jammed somehow?
The GPS module worked yesterday without troubles and today i tried it again and only get 1 satellite. Unfortunately i only have this external GPS antenna which was included at the module. I tried to solder one out of my older GPS modules where the antenna is included at the circuit board. but got also no better results than with the included antenna.
Could be that i damaged the electronic with a electrostatic shock (because of my plastic shoes) 
damn it.
How are you powering the module?
I have one of these and found it starts to underperform if the supply voltage is less than 4.8v
John.
I powered it with the ftdi module which should normally have 5V output. But I will try it with an external powersuply at exactly adjusted 5V again and let you know.
It would be funny if it would work because the module is supposed to work with 3-5V.
w31x:
Could be that i damaged the electronic with a electrostatic shock (because of my plastic shoes)
Possible, but does not have to be ESD. It may be just excessive heat due soldering...
Hi,
Have you found a data sheet for the module (the red board, not the u-blox GPS receiver)? I haven't located a data sheet for any GPS module that I've used. The sellers provide some data but I don't think that is 100% reliable or complete.
Can you measure the voltage at the ftdi? If it's more than 4.8 then it ought to be okay. Under 4.8 the module's LED fades slightly and rapidly flickers.
What are your physical connections? Any breadboard jumper wires involved? I'm suspicious that they cause voltage loss. Not sure tho.
Be wary of mains powered transformers. I found that some will not make the module work. I like to use either computer USB or a power bank.
View the NMEA sentences. If voltage is the problem you will see frequent rebooting messages.
That tiny antenna connection -- I can rotate mine just a little and reception will go from bad to good. I don't understand that.
John.
The antenna connector is a u.fl
I consider them worthless. I don't bother with any GPS module that does not have an SMA connector and two or more mounting holes.
GE,
I agree with you about the recommendation of the SMA connector over the ufl.
What I don't understand is that the ufl is widely sold. These modules are probably made and deployed in the thousands. How could this succeed if the antenna connection is so flaky?
But I agree -- anyone lookng to get a GPS module, go with the SMA (screwed) connector, unless you have a reason for the smaller ufl.
John.
In addition to all upper, GPS modules are extremely sensitive to voltage ripple. I do not have a NEO, but some Quectel with integrated antenna. However, datasheet is clear about voltage ripple:
54 mV (RMS) max @ f = 0~3MHz and 15 mV (RMS) max @ f > 3 MHz.
If you can find datasheet for your module, it also can be quite helpful. Perhaps your power source is not clean enough and decoupling caps around voltage regulator may be damaged as well somehow.
As John suggested, looking raw NMEA may give you a hint. If there is most of the "garbage" in it, it is the most probably an issue to get stable voltage. Notice every NMEA string have a checksum and software you use for visualization may filter all with errors.
The u-blox spec is power supply fluctuation is to be less than 10%.
I tested a few mains powered supplies (switched type) with a scope and the fluctuation was typically 10%.
I found a couple of supplies intended for charging phones and devices would not make the GPS module work.
This is an issue worth exploring.
John.
w31x:
I also attached a picture of ublox center while the GPS is connected.
And the picture shows the window that appears to display the satellite signal strength data, has quite a few satellites on it, but all very weak ..............
Since you have Ucenter working, look at the GPGSV sentence data in the appropriate window, that gives the satellites being received and all the signal strengths.
Also look in the window displaying the satellites being received and their numbers, anything below 26dB, suggests signal strength problems.
tried it with exactly adjusted 5V but got no change of my problem - still 1 satellite. I think my module broke somehow.
And as well, datasheet for antenna had to be clear how much should be away from any near electronic component produce RF signal (noise). It is usually 10mm around antenna, minimum.
"The GPS module worked yesterday without troubles and today i tried it again and only get 1 satellite."
I'm smiling at this.
It ought to be the sub-title of an Arduino forum dedicated to GPS.
It is what you are sure to get if you explore GPS.
John.
You can see the signal strengths for a working Neo6 in this report, see GPS 3A for the Neo6 GPS with a decent antenna and 3B for it with one of those little tiny ones. I did not get a fix either ........
Can you take a screenshot of the sentences you are getting on u-center?
With GPS, you don't want to jump to a conclusion like "I've blown the module". There are so many elements that need to work.
First, find out if your module is generating legible NMEA sentences.
Are there any hot spots on your module? I mean so hot you can't keep your finger on them. I have a module like that -- it produces NMEA sentences but never gets a fix.
John.
