Netbook GPS Interference

20dauntless · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:32 pm Post subject: Netbook GPS Interference

I got up to the boat today and tried out my netbook as a chartplotter. I'm running an Asus Eeepc 1005HAB with Windows 7 and OpenCPN. My GPS puck is a Globalsat BU-353.

Plotting worked great, the software was pretty easy to use and I like having a backup on board. I ran the computer from my inverter and that worked fine.

But I have a big problem. For some reason, whenever the netbook was turned on my Raymarine C80 and Raystar 125 GPS antenna lost its fix. It didn't matter if the inverter was on or off or if the laptop GPS puck was plugged in or not. The pilothouse is small on my C-Dory (where I tried it out) and it didn't matter much where the netbook was.

Any thoughts of why this is happening? I'll probably use the boat again tomorrow and try experimenting some more.

P.S. I've used my MacBook Pro for plotting and didn't notice this problem.

BrentB · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:10 pm Post subject:

nope but maybe it is the wifi
turn it off and check again

thataway · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:28 pm Post subject:

I have an Acer, which has never caused any problems, and we have used it with Garmin Electronics. Do you interface the computer with the chart plotter? If so, could be some problem in the USB interface?

You seem to have ruled out what I would be suspect and that is the inverter.

How about different parts of the pilot house?--or even in the V berth? Then the cockpit. Some TV antennas did cause problem with GPS, I would agree, check and be sure that the WiFi is OFF.

20dauntless · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice. Bob, the netbook is not connected to the chartplotter at all. Each has an independent GPS receiver. Moving it around the pilothouse didn't seem to make a difference. WiFi was on. Hopefully that is what's causing the problem. If I get up to the boat tomorrow I'll try it out and report back.

AstoriaDave · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:27 pm Post subject:

Bad ground to one or the other?

Adeline · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 11:35 pm Post subject:

Could your Asus Bluetooth Radio be interfering ?

20dauntless · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:11 am Post subject:

Dave, I don't think it has anything to do with a ground. It didn't matter if the inverter was on or off or the computer was plugged in or not. It also didn't matter if the computer GPS puck was plugged in or not. The only thing that seemed to matter was whether or not the computer was on or off.

Pete, my netbook isn't equipped with Bluetooth. WiFi was on, so I'll try it tomorrow with WiFi off.

Strangely, WiFi on my iPhone is almost always on and I've never noticed a problem with that.

20dauntless · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:55 pm Post subject:

I tried shutting off wifi and it made no difference. It was rough and rainy so I didn't spend a lot of time messing around with the computer. I'll mess around with it more this summer when I've got more time. I think I'll take a bunch of laptops and netbooks up and see which ones cause interference and go from there.

On a side note, it was great getting up to the San Juans. We went over to Decatur today, and despite the wind the trip was great. The seas built up during the day, and it took a while to get back. The strait wasn't bad, but right outside of Cap Sante the conditions deteriorated a lot. Steep, closely spaced seas. 5 knots had us launching off the crests and pounding down, a couple of times with lots of green water over the bow. Not comfortable, but we felt safe the whole time.