bf792

Hello All,

Well I'm the newbie. I seem to have all the "stuff" but I'm just missing the know-how.

I have the serial cable from Dell for the Axim
I have the Null Modem From Radio Shack
I have the gender changer for the null modem from Radio Shack
I have the Garmin Etrex Legens Gps with the Garmin serial cable

AND

Microsoft Streets 2002 with the PocketStreets Update from Microsoft to support the GPS tracking.

All the "stuff" works fine on my notebook computer, but on the Axim PocketStreets responds:
"The communications (COM) port is available, but no signal is being received. Make sure the GPS receiver is turned on and connected to the correct port."

Q.1.> The Etrex output is set to 4800 baud is this too slow for the Axim?

Q.2.> What serial port should the software be set to on the Axim? I have tryed them all.

HELP I'M GOIN' NUTZ!
THANKS

DennisFranz

Quote:

Originally posted by bf792 Hello All, Well I'm the newbie. I seem to have all the "stuff" but I'm just missing the know-how. I have the serial cable from Dell for the Axim I have the Null Modem From Radio Shack I have the gender changer for the null modem from Radio Shack I have the Garmin Etrex Legens Gps with the Garmin serial cable AND Microsoft Streets 2002 with the PocketStreets Update from Microsoft to support the GPS tracking. All the "stuff" works fine on my notebook computer, but on the Axim PocketStreets responds: "The communications (COM) port is available, but no signal is being received. Make sure the GPS receiver is turned on and connected to the correct port." Q.1.> The Etrex output is set to 4800 baud is this too slow for the Axim? Q.2.> What serial port should the software be set to on the Axim? I have tryed them all. HELP I'M GOIN' NUTZ! THANKS

Baud rate is fine at 4800. Verify the co-ordinate format.

If the cable is the Dell Serial cable, It should be set to one. I am not sure if it is defaulted at that but that what it is on mine.

Check my page for GPS to Garmin help. There is an application that will show any data coming from the serial port, GPS Engine. Try that and see if you are getting any data through.

Let us know, many ppl here are happy to help you out.

bf792

Thank you Dennis,

I have been looking at your web document, and I just was not getting it… I’m a newbie to the Axim and to the Garmin Etrex GPS. But I go way back with RS232 serial.

I have the answer to all the newbie problems! Ok, well not all of them, but the problem with the Garmin Etrex and the Dell Axim.

It seems that not all Garmin GPS’s serial cables are created equal, you document was for the Garmin III+. This configuration with the null modem and the gender changers works great with the III+. A friend of mine has one and it was working in no time. The Garmin Etrex on the other hand… It seems that Garmin changed the wiring from normal RS232 to pins 2 & 3 already flipped. This would mean just toss the null modem into the junk drawer and just use the gender changer. Oh, no, no, no, this would be too easy.

Here is where things get weird, because no off the shelf converters are available. To limit the amount of gender changers, 9 to 25 pin converters, 25 to 9 pin converters and gender changers… You will need to make a custom 9 pin male to 9 Pin male connecter. This will also be “directional” in that the Etrex will always have to be in one side and the Axim in the other.

The Axim side will need a loop-back on pins 2 and 3 with jump to pin 3 on the Etrex side. Pin 5 on the Axim side will go to pin 5 on the Etrex side. That’s it. No other pins will need to be connected. (See image Etrex2Axim.jpg)

For all you other newbie’s out there just “trust and believe” this will work. I have spent weeks going nutz over this. And to all ya’ tech’s who are sitting there reading this going “Why is he doing that…” The Etrex just sends out a data stream, and it does not need any reply from the Axim nor does it give one to it. But the Axim needs to know that there is something connected to it to “Talk” to or it just sits there like a paper weight. Once the Axim sees something responding (itself), it will accept the data stream from the Etrex.

Dennis please uses this information on your web site. I don’t have one, and this will save others weeks of headaches!

Thanks
Bill

csims

Is this guy doing basically the same thing?

http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showt...&threadid=5772

Just covering the 2 prongs seems to work.

DennisFranz

if you are having problems with connectivity, use the program here called GPSEngine. This will show a stream of data that the GPS is sending out. This will assure that the Axim is receiving data.

if you do not see any data, then something is wrong with the cabling. I would try this before you use a GPS application so then you can cut troubleshooting in half.

Just a suggestion...

DennisFranz

Quote:

Originally posted by bf792 Dennis please uses this information on your web site. I don’t have one, and this will save others weeks of headaches! Thanks Bill

Where did you find that picture/link? I have been looking for it but always get sidetracked for some reason or anything, deals and intrnet surfing.

I want to make a link to the website since I do not want to post his work on the III+ page I made.

Also if anyone has any problems, he may be better positioned to answer them since I do not have an eTrex. ;)

DennisFranz

Quote:

Originally posted by dudeyougotadell There is a page hosted here that will tell you how to connect your e-series GPS and an Axim. http://www.qsl.net/kb5tbb/axim.html

I sort of intergrated it in. I don't have his email to ask so i made attempts to show him the bearer of credit for the procedure.

DennisFranz

Fixed.
Thanks for pointing it out.

ikehiker

Hey guys,

Thanks for all your efforts on this. I also have the eTrex GPS and, while I don't want to reinvent the wheel, I hate the idea of having about 12 feet of cabling for this connection so here's my plan. I'm going to get one of the pPlugs for the eTrex (from the website dudeyougotadell has listed above), a male DB9 (from Radioshack) and make a short (3 or 4") adapter.

If I'm following the discussions properly, I should have pin 2 (TxD) from the eTrex connector connected to pins 2 (RxD) and 3 (TxD) on the DB9 and pin 1 (Gnd) on the eTrex to pin 5 (Gnd) on the DB9. Then I'll connect this adapter to the Dell serial cable and follow the instructions as described for startup.

Does this look right? In other words, the transmit/receive pins on the Ax are bridged and going to the transmit on the GPS?

Thanks again.

dudeyougotadell

Quote:

Originally posted by ikehiker If I'm following the discussions properly, I should have pin 2 (TxD) from the eTrex connector connected to pins 2 (RxD) and 3 (TxD) on the DB9 and pin 1 (Gnd) on the eTrex to pin 5 (Gnd) on the DB9. Then I'll connect this adapter to the Dell serial cable and follow the instructions as described for startup. Does this look right? In other words, the transmit/receive pins on the Ax are bridged and going to the transmit on the GPS? Thanks again.

You're almost right. The TX & RX on the Axim side are jumpered together to only pin 2 on the eTex (that part you had right), however the ground goes from eTrex pin 5 to pin 5 on the Axim. The grounds have to match up, otherwise you get no signal. Pin 1 isn't used on either side.

ikehiker

Quote:

Originally posted by dudeyougotadell You're almost right. The TX & RX on the Axim side are jumpered together to only pin 2 on the eTex (that part you had right), however the ground goes from eTrex pin 5 to pin 5 on the Axim. The grounds have to match up, otherwise you get no signal. Pin 1 isn't used on either side.

That's going to be tough since there are only 4 pins on the eTrex side. Remember I'm using the "pPlug" from syz.com, not a DB9. According to the info on http://www.syz.com/gps/etrex2info.pdf, pin 1 on the eTrex connector is the ground.

dudeyougotadell

After I read your post a second time, I caught onto what you were doing. That's a great idea.. I was thinking of actually butchering a second Dell Axim cable I ordered and putting a eTrex plug on one end, but what you're suggesting works great, too.

So there are several options a person has:

(1) Take their stock Axim & eTrex cable, make a custom jumper as I did with males on both ends. You end up with a 10' long cable but it works fine.

(2) Take a stock Axim cable. Build a custom DB-9 to 4-pin eTrex plug cable. Use that to connect the two devices.

(3) Take a stock Axim cable, cut the DB9 serial off and put an eTrex cable on it. If you feel like dropping $18....

ikehiker

I thought about your choice 3, too, but if my little adapter works then I'll not risk ruining the cable if my technique is not up to snuff and still be able to use the Dell serial cable for other purposes.

On the other hand, I still haven't ordered the Dell cable but I'm now thinking of ordering two. I have two intended uses of the Ax/eTrex combo - one is for hiking and thus having a 3 or 4 foot cable will allow me to mount the eTrex on top of my pack and have the Ax in a pouch on my waist belt. The other is for biking and I could use a short connector (under a foot) and have both the Ax and GPS mounted on the handlebars. The short one will require that I modify a Dell cable since I know making one from scratch requires a lot more electronics expertise than I have and would probably end up costing almost as much anyway.

Once I get the parts and put them together, I'll post back on the success (hopefully) or lack there of.

ikehiker

Hi everyone following this thread, especially dudeyougotadell.

I said I'd post back when I got the parts together to attempt to make the adapter I described above. Well, that's not going to happen. I spent half an hour on the phone with Dell today attempting to order a couple of the serial cables and, after being transferred through five different sections, having to give details about my system (once the service code, once the service code AND the express code, once my customer number and one or both of the other numbers - two of these times they also wanted my complete address, email and phone. Jeez, I work for the government and don't have to go through this much security!) and each time I was transferred to another department. The last one was to a foreign lady (probably Indian) who was a technical rep. After spending 10 minutes giving her all the information and trying to make her understand I was not making a service call, I just wanted to place a damn order, she tried transferring me back to the parts department and I got a busy signal. Anyway, I've given up on the idea of creating my own cable for the Garmin - Axim connection and ordered one from PC-mobile. It will cost me a little more, and I won't have the fun of experimenting but it's probably more likely to work (even though I'm pretty sure the adapter would have worked).

I swear, I love my Ax but I will do my absolute best to never place another order with Dell and if anything ever goes seriously wrong with it that I cannot solve through these forums, I'll probably throw it in the trash before I call Dell for help.

bf792

Hello all readers of this thread. It seems that there are some things that need to get corrected.

The orignal image that was posted in this thread as wrong, Sorry.
I was out of town and have not been reading my posts. This is the correct image attached with is post.

THANKS Dennis for making the Etrax information on your web site.

But it looks like Clayton, KB5TBB is taking the credit. I don't want to get in to a flame with him over his web site, but I did give YOU the permission to post the Image. Not him, you took the time and were the first to reply giving me the direction I needed to come up with the SIMPLE trick I used. The image is MINE and YOU have the rights to use it. Please remove the link "Original website".

dudeyougotadell, Sorry for the mess - up, I had the cable correct but the image wrong. Thanks for correcting the thread.

Hope that you all have fun with your Etrax

Bill Fox - aka- bf792