PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

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xterraadam
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Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 5:51 pm

PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by xterraadam »

Just got my NTP server and set it up on the network. Optional GPS antenna attached with clear view of sky. I am not getting a green light on Stratum 1, just a red light, and a "Time not valid" message on the internal website. Attempted a firmware upgrade, which reported successful, but no change.

What do I need to do to get this device working?

Thanks!
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pbreed
Posts: 1080
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:58 pm

Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by pbreed »

The GPS antenna is NOT optional.
The system will not sync up wihtout a clear view of the sky.

Where is the GPS antenna?

Does it have a relatively clear view of the sky?
How long did you wait for it to sync, first time can take as long as 10 minutes.
xterraadam
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Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 5:51 pm

Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by xterraadam »

I purchased the GPS antenna that was an option.

The antenna is outside with a 360 clear view of the sky.

Left for an hour. No signal.
xterraadam
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Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 5:51 pm

Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by xterraadam »

Can you verify that PK70-NTPApp_APP.s19 is the correct file to load for this unit?
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TomNB
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Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 8:22 am

Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by TomNB »

Yes, that is the correct app. We do test each unit for gps lock before shipment. What part of the world are you setting it up at?
xterraadam
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Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 5:51 pm

Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by xterraadam »

East Coast US.

I'd like to ship this back to you so maybe you could figure it out. It's just a constant red light and the web interface displays "Time Not Valid". Not sure if it was damaged in shipping or not. It was packed well.

I submitted an RMA request, but haven't heard anything back.
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TomNB
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Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by TomNB »

I see your request on Tue, Nov 12, and our reply sent to you the same day a few hours later. Please call in at your convenience and we will help you resolve this.
xterraadam
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 5:51 pm

Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by xterraadam »

Gave you a call. left message.

Is there another utility to try to upload firmware? I am using the autoupdate.exe application.
xterraadam
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 5:51 pm

Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by xterraadam »

Thanks for all your help!

New development. The firmware isn't staying in the device post power cycle. I unplugged the device to return it to my equipment rack, and it went back to doing what it was doing. Reloaded the firmware and it locked within 5 seconds.

I powercycled the unit again, and same thing, left for a couple minutes with no lock. Loaded the new firmware, satellite lock in 5 seconds.

Bad eeprom?

Edit: Left Unit for 5 minutes, finally achieved lock, but not as quick as freshly loading firmware. Interesting.
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pbreed
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Re: PK70 EX NTP Not receiving GPS Signal

Post by pbreed »

Fresh firmware and the GPS chip has been powered the whole time....
Move the device and the GPS power is lost...
Takes some time for a fresh GPS power up to read enough satilight ephemeris to get proper lock?
You can watch this happen by monitoring the satilite signal strength page...

The image is awlays stored in flash on update.
It takes a fair bit of manual messing with things to store in RAM.
(And never the _APP version, ie the compressed one only works from flash.)
So your issues here have to do with powering the chip on/off and placement of the GPS antenna.
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