The GPS is transmitting data to the Arduino and it is being received, the 3rd to last column on the output is the cumulative number of characters received from the GPS, the 2nd to last is the cumulative number of sentences received.
The strings of asterisks are hat symbol that routine uses for invalid data, meaning the GPS has no fix possible reasons for the lack of fix
- no clear view of the sky
- the GPS has not been on long enough for the almanac to be loaded, the almanac gives it an idea what sats in that geographic area and time should be visible
- bad antenna connection
- bad GPS unit
Focus on the first and give it up to 30 minutes for it to get its cold fix.
wade