Neo-6M GPS Module not sending out co-ordinates

Other Hardware Sensors
1

Hi,

I am trying to interact with a GPS module with Arduino MEGA, but I am not getting any co-ordinates back from the GPS module. I have at the moment uploaded an empty sketch and have made the following connections.

Neo-6M-->Arduino MEGA
Vcc -->3.3V
GND-->GND
Rx--> Rx0
Tx-->Tx0

void setup(){}
void loop(){}

I am receiving the NMEA codes and can also see that the module is visible to multiple satellites as you can see in the response below

$GPRMC,,V,,,,,,,,,,N*53
$GPVTG,,,,,,,,,N*30
$GPGGA,,,,,,0,00,99.99,,,,,,*48
$GPGSA,A,1,,,,,,,,,,,,,99.99,99.99,99.99*30
$GPGSV,3,1,09,11,,,25,13,,,24,14,,,26,16,,,30*74
$GPGSV,3,2,09,23,,,33,24,,,20,25,,,27,28,,,22*7C
$GPGSV,3,3,09,31,,,21*71
$GPGLL,,,,,,V,N*64

I have tried TinyGPSPlus library's example as well, but that also returns "INVALID" value.

Currently my module and the antenna are place in my balcony, so I think they have a pretty good view of the sky. Any help on this matter would be appreciated.

2

Welcome to the forum

Please post the sketch that you are using and either a schematic of your project or a full description of how the GPS is connected to the Mega

Rx Rx0
Tx Tx0

Rx on the GPS should go to Tx on the Mega and vice versa

However, it is not a good idea to use pins 0 and 1 as they are used by the Serial interface to upload sketches and communicate with the Serial monitor. Instead, use one of the other hardware UARTs that the Mega has to connect to the GPS

Whereabouts in the data that you posted is the number of satellites shown ?

3

The are 9 satellites in view but the signals on most are being reported as very weak, the GPS might take ages and ages to get a fix.

Take the GPS into a wide open space, where there is a good view of the sky and horizon in all directions and see what results you get.

4

The GPGSV message shows that there are 9 satellites in view but contrast that with the GPGGA message showing how many satellites are actually in use, ie 0

5

Thanks,
I thought the signal strength here would be the same as the RSSI of a WiFi, 10 being the lowest and 1 being the highest.

I will try going to the roof of the building and see if that changes anything.

Since I am not using any code at the moment, can I avoid using the Arduino board and use something like an FTDI till I atleast get a better reception?

6

Pardon??

7

I meant, when you want to check the strength of a WiFi signal, you as the device for RSSI (Recived Signal Strength Indicator). The lower the number, stronger the WiFi connection. Anyways, lets not get off topic here. I will try going into open air to see if my GPS gets any signal.