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Permalink Reply by John Reynolds on March 1, 2011 at 8:49pm

Hi Rich:

 

What version of the firmware is on your GPS?  The firmware version on the GPS must match the firmware you have selected in the code.  There is a section in the wiki on updating your firmware for your GPS (I am assuming you are using the DIYdrones Mediatek GPS).  FYI - do not assume that if you recently bought the GPS unit that it will have the latest firmware on it.  Reasonable assumption, but still an assumption....

 

This may or may not help, but it can't hurt to make sure you have the latest firmware regardless.

 

John

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Permalink Reply by Richard Gosling on March 1, 2011 at 9:58pm

Thanks John, yes using DIY MTK GPS

 

I've been doing some reading in other threads - seems quite complicated.

 

Also it would appear the only way to update the firmware is by purchasing an FTDI cable... bugger

 

Rich

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Permalink Reply by Richard Gosling on March 2, 2011 at 4:27am

From what i have read it seems that ArducopterNG supports both 1.4 and 1.6 MTK firmware.

It would appear that ArdupiratesNG only supports 1.6

Perhaps it would be faster and more cost effective to un-instal pirates and run the ArducopterNG than to order and wait for some dumb arsed cable that makes my DIYdrones MTK work like it should have in the first place... thats assuming i don't stuff up when soldering pins to the MTK in order to plug the freaking cable into it.

any thoughts appreciated - Rich

 

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Permalink Reply by ip9 on March 2, 2011 at 6:12am

Hi Richard,

I've got this to look forwards to myself as well. I've been putting it off until i get my magneto back from jDrones. At first i was planning to use the pass-trough sketch that was originally mentioned, but thats not working with the MTEK firmware updater apparently.

So rather than solder to the MTEK (as my cack-handedness is bound to screw something up as everything is so tiny) i was planning seeing if i can make one of these out of the spare GPS cable and headers i have lying around

http://store.diydrones.com/FTDI_GPS_Adapter_cable_15_cm_p/ca-0001-0...

(for the sake of $1.75 i would order one, but 1. i can't as its out of stock and 2. shipping to the uk is likely to be 10x the cost of the cable)

still needs the FTDI cable - but less risk soldering directly to the GPS.

I just need to work out the wiring as the only documentation i could find is for the magneto but the headers are labelled differently.

is anyone able to help with the wiring / pin out config at all?

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