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-- HandyGPS Tips and Tricks (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=11328)

Ok, so anyone out there who owns a handy GPS is probably asking themselves. "Why the $#*@ *$&# can't I seem to pick anything up?" It's because the designers were noody heads. Anyways in my continuing tradition to buy stuff and immediatly tear it apart and see how it works I have made the following discoveries:

A - What the hell is this stuff?
B - Oh I see
C - Who on God's creation put wire here?
and
D - Oh no, there went the screw.

So now with that added information 9and a screw from my Modem Module I suggest the following to those who want a good signal and don't care if they violate warranty conditions.

1. This is the simplest to do - just remove that plastic cover on the front head of the module. It snaps right off no tools are needed.

2. I really don't know if these help, But i did them anyways. I took some of that tape off the sheilding device. I doubt that helped. And i moved the wire leading to the antenna to below the sheilding. It's now coiled minimaly.


Anyways with this setup I just received 2 satillites indoors. One almost straight up, and one at 30 degrees off the vert. I was shocked i used to not be able to pick up a sat in cloudy weather (not to mention I was inside on a cloudy day)

Now - If only I could relocate the ant out of the module to my dash I would be happy.

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Gee, if a better antenna is all they need, try adding one of those silkscreen printed self stick "antenna extenders" sold shamelessly for cell phones.

I also know that the human body make a good antenna (At least holding my garage door opener to my head increases it's effective range). Perhaps bring the antenna wire outside the case where you could touch it when trying to locate satellites would help. Heck, just see if wrapping your hand around the module as is helps reception.

It never hurts to try. Nothing ever gets invented otherwise.

Dave

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There is nothing yet made by man that cannot be improved upon.

Simply hold the GPS Vertical

Hello,

I don't know why you would need a stronger antenna. The one it comes with work's great. A simple thing most people don't do is hold the Visor VERTICAL so that the top of the GPS has unobstructed view of the sky. On top of the GPS is where the Antenna is located so you can't have your fingers all over it, plus your body can be an obstruction so you need to hold the module at least a half arms length away. If People would read the Quick Start Guide, they might realize this. I'm glad I did so much research before I told my wife I wanted this. I haven't hit any obstacles yet.