Lost GPS Signal

[JohnCZ]

Good morning!

Driving the RV for the first time in some weeks yesterday. Turned on the Navigation on the DNX775RVS Kenwood/Garmin unit, and it just kept "Searching" for satellite signals, and never found any.

When I first turned on the Kenwood unit, a message popped up saying something like, it has been over a year since updating this unit, go to kenwood.com/Garmin.

I wouldn't think an update is the issue with receiving GPS satellite signals.

Any thoughts? Anyone had this issue, and has the resolution?

Thanks!

[Pkc303]

The GPS software could be needed to update the gps tables, and active satellites. Sometimes satellites are taken down for service, or they just failed. If you have less than five, it cannot locate itself in all the dimensions.

[MDPD]

I had the same issue until yesterday, GPS not acquiring satellites for 10-20 minutes after turning it on and signal being lost and reacquired in transit. I first called Kenwood and their technical support person stated that Tiffin did not mount the antenna in the proper way but had no additional suggestions after my repeating several times that it worked properly for four years and the problem just started. She then suggested updating. After hanging up on her I called Tiffin and spoke to the electronics tech. He suggested unplugging the GPS antenna from the back of the radio and reinserting to make sure it had not become loose or dirty. Did that and satellites acquired immediately. Just for information, the GPS antenna is the gray color rectangular plug on the right rear of the radio. He did state if that did not correct the problem the antenna was probably bad and should be replaced.

[Chief6722]

The last couple weeks have actually been quite bad for GPS primarily due to the season we are in which is “Solar Flare Season”… If you think it’s a pain with your RV you should try it flying! LoL

We call it the Millennial Cramps because most of that generation rely on it so much that they forget the basic part of navigation, which I also have to admit is a real pain especially if you are really close to an exit or some turn-off point.

One other thing that has been going on most recently is the military “Switching The Flips” going changing resolutions of the GPS system. This also happens during the late Summer months when the flares are active because it’s not noticed as much.

I’m actually waiting for the Summer temps to come down a little so I can install my new GPS antenna that has a much better Field of View (FOV) and is UV resistant and waterproof. It ain’t purty though, but it can be located in a spot that isn’t seen much.

[Pkc303]

Will second the signal interruptions while flying. Good thing I learned old school navigation. The new generation are children of the magenta.

[JohnCZ]

Thanks for all the good info and comments from everyone. I will definitely try disconnecting and reconnecting the antenna from the back of the unit. And, verify it is snugly connected.

I didn't mention in the OP that I had just picked up the coach from our local Freightliner service having my annual PM and perfoming the software update for the Viper Display low voltage recall. To do this, they plug into a USB port they access through the removeable panel on top of the dashboard. Possibly, they inadvertently bumped the GPS connection.

It has worked just fine for the two years since the coach was built.

I'll check it out later today.

[phil-t]

My gps/nav system has not worked since I purchased the RV almost a year ago. I finally got to removing the radio unit to take a look. Found the gps antenna cable pulled from the connector. I order a replacement antenna off EBAY - supposed to get here today - it'll be nice to have a working system in the dash.

[JohnCZ]

Pulled the MH out of the barn today to try again to pick up GPS satellite signals. I was able to check the antenna wire from the Kenwood DNX775RVS unit to where it goes into a tube that goes up the PS windshield pillar. Then I could see and feel the wire coming out the top of the tube up to where it is about to go through the cab roof. The wire looked and felt fine. The plug was solidly connected to the Kenwood unit.
Yet, I was still not picking up any Satellites. So, I made a call to Keith Selby, per many recommendations in this forum.
Keith was very helpful, but believes somewhere in the antenna wire the signal is not getting through.
He is sending me a new GPS "puck" with 15 foot antenna wire so I can try that.
More later.

[BCam]

Not that it explains your long term problem, but there are a number of sites with solar and "space" weather reports, including forecasts of GPS issues. Here's one from 8/17/22 that forecasts "geomagnetic storms through the end of the week strong enough to trigger disruptions to GPS, communications satellites, and some military radios."

A couple of posters commented on how this affects flying. Plus, it's another factor to consider in planning a military operation.

[JohnCZ]

On a separate note with the Kenwood DNX775RVS unit.

As many have noted, the Map update intructions prompt you to be sure your firmware is up to date before updating maps.

My current Firmware version is 2.9.0008.5200 which is a higher number than the most recent Firmware update available for download, which is 2.7.0008.5200.

So I took a pass on updating the firmware. I simply initialized a micro-SD card in the unit, then downloaded the latest maps update (for $70) and a Garmin GPS software update to the card, and my DNX775RVS unit updated just fine. My Maps version went from North America NT 2019 to North America NT 2022.

However, I won't get to check the updated maps until I get my replacement antenna puck and wire. I sure hope that solves the problem!

[JohnCZ]

Originally Posted by BCam

Not that it explains your long term problem, but there are a number of sites with solar and "space" weather reports, including forecasts of GPS issues. Here's one from 8/17/22 that forecasts "geomagnetic storms through the end of the week strong enough to trigger disruptions to GPS, communications satellites, and some military radios."

A couple of posters commented on how this affects flying. Plus, it's another factor to consider in planning a military operation.

I've read about this. Thanks. However, my stand alone Garmin unit works fine, as do our phones and vehicles. So, I doubt this one unit can't pick up a single satellite over several days do to these solar issues.
Of course, it also seems odd that it worked perfectly fine for over two years since we purchased the MH new.

[BCam]

Originally Posted by JohnCZ

I've read about this. Thanks. However, my stand alone Garmin unit works fine, as do our phones and vehicles. So, I doubt this one unit can't pick up a single satellite over several days do to these solar issues.
Of course, it also seems odd that it worked perfectly fine for over two years since we purchased the MH new.

Electronics fail and this is one of the reasons I prefer stand-alone units. I've had numerous Garmin GPSs over the years going back to hand-held hiker units with rudimentary LCD displays. I've never had a problem with them.

[JohnCZ]

Originally Posted by BCam

Electronics fail and this is one of the reasons I prefer stand-alone units. I've had numerous Garmin GPSs over the years going back to hand-held hiker units with rudimentary LCD displays. I've never had a problem with them.

Hopefully, with the new antenna on it's way, I'll soon know whether it is the unit or the antenna.

[JohnCZ]

Final post on resolution of this lost GPS signal issue.

I received the new antenna and wire from Keith Selby, Kenwood rep yesterday.

I plugged it into the back of my DNX775RVS with the MH still in my metal sided pole barn. There was just enough wire to run it out the MH door, and set the antenna puck on the concrete slab in front of the MH.
The Garmin Nav system quickly picked up the GPS satellites.

So, problem solved. I am not getting any signal through my original antenna wire.
Not sure if I will tackle replacing the original antenna and wire or not. The factory installed antenna puck is on the roof,on top of the cab cap. Most of the job should be pretty easy, except getting the new wire and connector down the wire chase pipe that is in the PS windshield pillar. The rest of the wiring is easy to access under the dash, and behind an overhead cabinet.

Keith suggested, at least for now, just place the antenna puck on top of the dash where it will be the least of an eye sore. I will go with that for now. Maybe the first time I have to do some touch up roof sealant work, I'll tackle installing it up on the roof.

Thanks much to Keith Selby for his courteous support, his expertise, and quickly getting me a replacement antenna and wire unit.