Lowering GPS TTFF and letting you use indoors

[StarmanDX]

The GPS as shipped on the Q9c is great but it doesn't have (for whatever reason) Sprint's GPS assistance server configured, so if you're inside, or the first time you want to get a signal, it can take a while.

Dial ##073887*, hit send, enter your MSL, and then hit H (GPS Settings) and enter 68.28.31.49 for the IP address and 5017 for the port number.

This configures the phone to use Sprint's position assistance server and makes GPS-enabled apps work much more quickly during the initial setup.

[se4587]

The GPS as shipped on the Q9c is great but it doesn't have (for whatever reason) Sprint's GPS assistance server configured, so if you're inside, or the first time you want to get a signal, it can take a while.

Dial ##073887*, hit send, enter your MSL, and then hit H (GPS Settings) and enter 68.28.31.49 for the IP address and 5017 for the port number.

This configures the phone to use Sprint's position assistance server and makes GPS-enabled apps work much more quickly during the initial setup.

Great info!

However...my phone doesn't remember the info! I can go into the menu, enter the IP and port, go back out, and go right back in and they're blank again...***?!

I've exited the ##073887* completely, no dice. I've restarted, no dice.

Any hints?

[StarmanDX]

Great info!

However...my phone doesn't remember the info! I can go into the menu, enter the IP and port, go back out, and go right back in and they're blank again...***?!

I've exited the ##073887* completely, no dice. I've restarted, no dice.

Any hints?
I think that if you don't go back in to that menu it saves the setting, it just resets if you go back into that menu. That seems counterintuitive but that's what I figured out with the little testing I just did.

[se4587]

I think that if you don't go back in to that menu it saves the setting, it just resets if you go back into that menu. That seems counterintuitive but that's what I figured out with the little testing I just did.

Nope, still can't get it to stick...dammit...maybe my phone is fubar?

I can enter the menu, goto GPS, enter the info, hit OK, hit Exit, and go back to the menu and GPS, and they're xxx & yyy......:irked:

[StarmanDX]

That's what I mean. Every time you go back in to the menu it resets them, but if you just set it and then don't go back in to the menu, the setting is persistent.

You can detect pretty easily if it's working by opening up Google Maps and timing your location acquisition - without the PDE information it was taking me well over 3 minutes to get the first fix and with it it's under 30 seconds.

[zeusmontes]

This is probably a stupid question but what is MSL?

[enroberts]

where can I find the MSL in my q9c so I can enable the gps function here? thanks, neal

[huntm856]

Do you know if this change is persistent over soft/hard resets? Obviously, if you go in to look you'll reset it, sorta like trying to see if the light stays off when you close the refrigerator door....

[roady]

It's not going to "stick"...every time you re-enter the menu it clears out. Take it on faith that your settings are correct.

[OnlySprint]

Speaking of the GPS, I downloaded a weather application, Swift Weather, that uses GPS to locate you and then provide the weather radar for that location, but the app cannot find the internal GPS. I take it that the GPS is located within one of the COM ports, and if not, where can it be found? Thanks.

[bubbatex]

Do you know if this change is persistent over soft/hard resets? Obviously, if you go in to look you'll reset it, sorta like trying to see if the light stays off when you close the refrigerator door....

Yes, it survived a soft reset - dunno about a hard reset. Would probably just enter it again if I did a hard reset.

Speaking of the GPS, I downloaded a weather application, Swift Weather, that uses GPS to locate you and then provide the weather radar for that location, but the app cannot find the internal GPS. I take it that the GPS is located within one of the COM ports, and if not, where can it be found? Thanks.

Well, I know that both Google and WLS had an option to choose where to find the GPS "pipe" and I picked "GPS Intermediate Driver" for both. Does this program have an "Options" menu?

[bubbatex]

Here's another answer to Onlysprint that was posted in the wrong thread:

....but it is "real" GPS and uses both satellites and the phone towers once you do the hack in that other thread. They don't want to tell you that b/c Sprint wants to charge you for Sprint Navigation. All I know is I did that hack, went to Settings > Phone Settings > GPS Settings and set as follows: "Always On", 1, 1, 25 (and under Phone settings > Network > GPS is "On") and both Google Maps and WLS followed me really closely to the mall and back at lunch!

[tbhausen]

My Q9c is "stock"--no GPS hacks at all. WLS and Sprint Nav find the GPS fine. It acquires fast (~15sec or less) and it's even working in the basement of a single-story office right now. Very high marks for this GPS IMHO.

Todd/Indy

[bubbatex]

Todd - are you paying for Sprint Nav?

[tbhausen]

Not separately... It's part of my "Business Pro" PowerVision package I pay $30/month for. This package also includes unlimited SMS. I think it's only available for business accounts... not sure though.

I was a former $10/month TeleNav user (on the Touch) and had a hell of a time getting Sprint Nav set up properly. Basically, the resolution was for Sprint to remove/re-add my data services and stay away from Sprint Nav for 72hrs.

HTH,
Todd/Indy

[clsiburt]

Couple of questions.

First, is the GPS in the Q9c a standard GPS receiver, similiar to something that would be found inside a dashtop navigator? Or is it more similar to the type of GPS that was found in my 7400 several years ago? Also, and very importantly, does navigation on the Q9c require an active data connection to download maps? Can I navigate and be on an active phone call at the same time? This was a real problem for me with the 7400. I had to hang up to figure out where I was, particularly if I missed a turn and had to re-route outside of the downloaded map.

My main reason for asking is this...I currently have an original Q and just purchased a MotoNav (http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=186) unit for turn-by-turn voice guided navigation. This thing works as well, and in some ways better than many dashtop/Laptop units I've tried. I am considering a Q9c to replace my Q, but I'd like to continue using this navigation package, since it doesn't need any data connection to function. It would be even better if the internal GPS would work with the MotoNav software...then I don't have to separately charge the receiver :)

My other option is to buy a Touch, but the MotoNav software says it is for "Smartphone" I don't know if it would even run on a touchscreen device. If any one knows the answer to that one, I'm all ears.

[DaRtH CrAtHeN]

Not separately... It's part of my "Business Pro" PowerVision package I pay $30/month for. This package also includes unlimited SMS. I think it's only available for business accounts... not sure though.

I was a former $10/month TeleNav user (on the Touch) and had a hell of a time getting Sprint Nav set up properly. Basically, the resolution was for Sprint to remove/re-add my data services and stay away from Sprint Nav for 72hrs.

HTH,
Todd/Indy

You were paying for Telenav on your Touch!!!:scare: Just a little FYI there's no confirmed information that the Touch even has built in GPS. Unless you were using it connected to some other device I would def say you were getting ripped off.

[DaRtH CrAtHeN]

I apologize about the double post but it's too late to edit my previous one. Has anyone who's done this hack get their MSL via GetSPC? I used the program many times with my Touch with success, but can't get it to give me the correct MSL on my Q9C.

[BrettW]

Couple of questions.

First, is the GPS in the Q9c a standard GPS receiver, similiar to something that would be found inside a dashtop navigator? Or is it more similar to the type of GPS that was found in my 7400 several years ago? Also, and very importantly, does navigation on the Q9c require an active data connection to download maps? Can I navigate and be on an active phone call at the same time? This was a real problem for me with the 7400. I had to hang up to figure out where I was, particularly if I missed a turn and had to re-route outside of the downloaded map.

My main reason for asking is this...I currently have an original Q and just purchased a MotoNav (http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=186) unit for turn-by-turn voice guided navigation. This thing works as well, and in some ways better than many dashtop/Laptop units I've tried. I am considering a Q9c to replace my Q, but I'd like to continue using this navigation package, since it doesn't need any data connection to function. It would be even better if the internal GPS would work with the MotoNav software...then I don't have to separately charge the receiver :)

My other option is to buy a Touch, but the MotoNav software says it is for "Smartphone" I don't know if it would even run on a touchscreen device. If any one knows the answer to that one, I'm all ears.

the q9c's gps is capable of standalone operation (e.g. no need for network assistance), if the software is for smartphone it may run on a touchscreen device or it may not

I apologize about the double post but it's too late to edit my previous one. Has anyone who's done this hack get their MSL via GetSPC? I used the program many times with my Touch with success, but can't get it to give me the correct MSL on my Q9C.

getspc is not compatable with the q or q9c, they hold there spc/msl code in a different location, i suggest making it a habit to write down the 6 digit code thats given when you program your phone as that is the MSL/SPC code, otherwise call tech support and request it, as for a reason lie and say you want to ##786# reset your device and you should have no problem getting it.

[DaRtH CrAtHeN]

Thanks Brett much appreciated.

[MasterMunan]

Nope, still can't get it to stick...dammit...maybe my phone is fubar?

I can enter the menu, goto GPS, enter the info, hit OK, hit Exit, and go back to the menu and GPS, and they're xxx & yyy......:irked:


You just have to trust you did it right.
Make the change and then walk away from it.

Just as an FYI, I did this to mine and changed it back within a day.
It actually started thinking I was blocks away from where I actually was.
Removed the setting, and I was good to go again.

[bubbatex]

If you go back to page one and read my post - its working great after 4 weeks. It gets my position within about 25 ft I estimate everytime - with both Goog and WLS.

[clsiburt]

the q9c's gps is capable of standalone operation (e.g. no need for network assistance),

What about network access for downloading & updating maps for turn-by-turn? With MotoNav all the maps are stored on the phone. No need to download anything. Does sprint navigator have to download the maps on-demand? Or can you download a regional map and store it on your phone?

[93geometro]

I can use my gps on my q9c indoors with no hacks finds me almost instantly and is very accurate

[DaRtH CrAtHeN]

I can use my gps on my q9c indoors with no hacks finds me almost instantly and is very accurate

This may work for you, but depending on the materials the building is made off some people won't get a GPS location at all. In the building I work in this is definitely the case and with this hack I can actually get Google Maps to locate me.

[Blackbird71]

You just have to trust you did it right.
Make the change and then walk away from it.

Just as an FYI, I did this to mine and changed it back within a day.
It actually started thinking I was blocks away from where I actually was.
Removed the setting, and I was good to go again.

So I tried the changes recently, and noticed no improvement, and possibly even a degradation. I went back in to undo changes, and tried two different methods (blank out the xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, etc. and then hit OK; enter the screen and then hit BACK).

My problem is that now the GPS doesn't seem to be working at all. In both WLS and GoogleMaps (which were working fine before) it goes to the "Searching for Satellite" and after as much as 3 minutes finally times out and says I need to get an unobstructed view of the satellites. This is standing outside on a clear day.

Any ideas on how to get back to where I was, or am I on the slow road to a master reset?

[netwrkguy]

I recently downloaded Microsoft's Live Search for my Q9c and when you use the mapping, cheap gas or traffic function, it uses the Q9c's internal GPS to get a fix on you.

I did find though, I had to change the GPS setting to Always On in order for it to work properly.

On another note,
Has anyone figured out how to force the OS to use their SD card as RAM?

Even if I have nothing running, I am still using 28 to 37Mb of the 50Mb available.

Please advise

Net Wrk Guy
netwrkguy@hotmail.com

[robotphood]

Does anyone here know if the Q9c can access the GPS without a data connection? Even with aGPS off, mine still has to connect or the GPS won't activate. For me, with or without aGPS on, the GPS is able to start after connecting to PCS Vision.

[Sprintsince99]

So I tried the changes recently, and noticed no improvement, and possibly even a degradation. I went back in to undo changes, and tried two different methods (blank out the xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, etc. and then hit OK; enter the screen and then hit BACK).

My problem is that now the GPS doesn't seem to be working at all. In both WLS and GoogleMaps (which were working fine before) it goes to the "Searching for Satellite" and after as much as 3 minutes finally times out and says I need to get an unobstructed view of the satellites. This is standing outside on a clear day.

Any ideas on how to get back to where I was, or am I on the slow road to a master reset?

Any luck on this? I have the same problem. Everything was working fine prior to changing the IP:Port for GPS lookup. Now it is no longer working even after resetting the IP back to default XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

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