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    NTP GPS

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
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    • K
      kapara
      last edited by

      Now new results.  Very inconsistent!

      GPS3.png
      GPS3.png_thumb

      Skype ID:  Marinhd

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      • K
        kapara
        last edited by

        Looks bad.  Disabled LTE and ethernet and no results.

        BadGPS.png
        BadGPS.png_thumb

        Skype ID:  Marinhd

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        • johnpozJ
          johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
          last edited by

          What gps are you using - doesn't look like your getting any pps signal even.

          An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
          If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
          Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
          SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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          • K
            kapara
            last edited by

            bought off aliexpress serial unit using ublox chip.

            https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Industrial-control-applications-RS232-protocol-output-UBLOX-6010-GPS-chip-design-DB9-connector-STOTON-GPS-receiver/32747390533.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.D1Jb8r

            I am using a pcengines APU2 and using the single com port.  in pfsense under advanced it has the com port set to 115200.  do I need to change that?  Am I not able to use the same port for managing the pfsense?  Do I need to make a change so I can use the single come port on the APU2?

            Skype ID:  Marinhd

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            • jahonixJ
              jahonix
              last edited by

              @kapara:

              I am using a pcengines APU2 and using the single com port.

              APU2s have more than one COM-Port, they are just not extended to the outside.
              See schematics page 12: http://pcengines.ch/schema/apu2c.pdf

              Better use Com1 (the externally available) for serial console and the internal pin-header for your GPS receiver.

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              • K
                kapara
                last edited by

                @jahonix:

                @kapara:

                I am using a pcengines APU2 and using the single com port.

                APU2s have more than one COM-Port, they are just not extended to the outside.
                See schematics page 12: http://pcengines.ch/schema/apu2c.pdf

                Better use Com1 (the externally available) for serial console and the internal pin-header for your GPS receiver.

                Thanks for the quick response.  Since I do not want to have to begin cutting holes in case I think it is better I use the MC7700 GPS connection instead.  I will still check this out just don't know how to get it connected!

                Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                • K
                  kapara
                  last edited by

                  Possibly if I use this. not sure if I can punch the front panel though.  Wish they had a case for 2 COM ports.

                  http://www.greenlee.com/products/PUNCH-UNIT%2540dCONNECTOR-9-PIN-(229).html?product_id=15349

                  Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                  • jahonixJ
                    jahonix
                    last edited by

                    How many units do you want to build?  A punch out tool only makes sense for dozens of devices to modify.
                    Just drill a hole and use a regular, round 3-conductor cable for your serial port. All you need is Gnd, TX & RX anyway. 1m of regular microphone cable from your local music store will do (AES cable does slightly better) and is durable and solid. If you don't use the antenna holes then you wouldn't even have to drill.
                    Even a 3,5mm headphone jack would do, btw. Then you wouldn't have a cable dangeling out of your case…

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                    • K
                      kapara
                      last edited by

                      Ok going to do some research.  Thanks!

                      Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                      • K
                        kapara
                        last edited by

                        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Nice-cheap-car-DVR-track-record-with-the-recorder-with-GPS-antenna-module-receiver-3-5/32625133402.html?spm=2114.10010108.100009.4.YjBy1j&traffic_analysisId=recommend_2037_null_null_null&scm=1007.13482.37805.0&pvid=f6a81637-dd5a-4773-af80-26306710e773&tpp=1

                        like this…..

                        Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                        • K
                          kapara
                          last edited by

                          @jahonix:

                          How many units do you want to build?  A punch out tool only makes sense for dozens of devices to modify.
                          Just drill a hole and use a regular, round 3-conductor cable for your serial port. All you need is Gnd, TX & RX anyway. 1m of regular microphone cable from your local music store will do (AES cable does slightly better) and is durable and solid. If you don't use the antenna holes then you wouldn't even have to drill.
                          Even a 3,5mm headphone jack would do, btw. Then you wouldn't have a cable dangeling out of your case…

                          What about voltage?  Unit requires 3 volts for antenna

                          Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                          • jahonixJ
                            jahonix
                            last edited by

                            The receiver you linked requires 3.3V to 5V DC, which is easily available within an APU.
                            Which APU configuration do you actually use, btw?

                            In the board's picture you see the white 12 o'clock pin header which is Com2.
                            The white 2-pin header at 10 o'clock position most likely is 5V power but I can't read it from the picture.
                            Next to that is a USB header which has 5V for sure.

                            Since you're only "listening" to your GPS receiver all you need on the APU side is +5V, RX and GND.

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                            • K
                              kapara
                              last edited by

                              So I tried connecting to my MC7700 Wireless which has GPS.  I set autostart on the unit and I am unable to get any other the ports to work.  NMEA COM7 worked on my PC and spit out lots of data so I would think the pfsense could see this also.

                              Do I need to restart after selecting a different com port on the NTP GPS settings?

                              Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                              • K
                                kapara
                                last edited by

                                Got this fixed.  Now just cannot seem to get GPS data for NTP to work.  Also not sure what GPS is used in the sierra wireless.  I tried the following interfaces…

                                Not sure if I have to wait or restart NTP after evey try?

                                ports.png
                                ports.png_thumb

                                Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                                • jahonixJ
                                  jahonix
                                  last edited by

                                  That's out of my scope, sorry.

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                                  • K
                                    kapara
                                    last edited by

                                    So I reached out to pcengines and they are telling me even that port will not work (COM2).

                                    pcengines:

                                    The DB9 connector of the serial port does not have any power pins. It's a regular RS232.
                                    COM2 is on the 5 pin header J3. The part number of the 5 pin header is 640456-5, see https://www.digikey.ch/product-detail/de/te-connectivity-amp-connectors/640456-5/A19471-ND/259011 and it's mating counter parts.

                                    Me:

                                    So Com 2 has power pin? Pin 5 5V and pin 1 3v?

                                    pcengines:

                                    Correct, J3 has 5V and 3.3V. Please be aware the RX/TX expect TTL level signals, not +/-12V RS232 signal levels.

                                    Me:

                                    I am looking at this for a serial connected GPS unit which requires 3v or 5v

                                    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Industrial-control-applications-RS232-protocol-output-UBLOX-6010-GPS-chip-design-DB9-connector-STOTON-GPS-receiver/32747390533.html

                                    Will this work with that?

                                    pcengines:

                                    No, this will not work. It will not work on the DB9 connector COM1, because pin 9 has no power and it will not work on COM2, because the signal levels do not correspond.

                                    I guess you want GPS for for getting position data? Other need the GPS signal for the exact timing signal it provides, but that is not possible with the module you suggested.

                                    For positioning I would try one or more of these modules:

                                    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-USB-GPS-Receiver-Ublox-7020-gps-chip-GPS-Antenna-G-Mouse-replace-globalsat-BU/32816622596.html

                                    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/GPS-receiver-USB-driver-ublox-G7020-waterproof-built-in-FLASH-BT-708-replace-globalsat-BU-353S4/32818403478.html

                                    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-UB-702-GPS-receiver-USB-module-antenna-ublox7020-CHIP-magnetic-waterproof-replace-globalsat-BU-353S4/32815397287.html

                                    Me:

                                    I need GPS for NTP Timing.  I don't need milisecond accuracy though.  What do you mean by signal levels do not correspond?  Thanks!  I am also using pfsense on the board.

                                    pcengines:

                                    The voltage of RS232 signals is +/-12V. The voltage of TTL signals is 0V/3V. COM1 is RS232 and has +/-12V levels, COM2 has 0V/3V levels.
                                    Is is capable of any baud rate up to 1M.
                                    For NTP you need a different module.

                                    Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                                    • jahonixJ
                                      jahonix
                                      last edited by

                                      That's easy. Take a max232 and convert the levels.
                                      But I don't know how good you are at soldering. Would be a 10min task for me…

                                      PS: I don't know if those USB receivers are supported in FreeBSD. Next problem.

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                                      • K
                                        kapara
                                        last edited by

                                        Last time I soldered something was….never  ;D  Maybe time to learn!

                                        Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                                        • K
                                          kapara
                                          last edited by

                                          Or…..

                                          https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/Serial-Cards-Adapters/rs-232-to-ttl-signal-converter~IC232TTL

                                          Skype ID:  Marinhd

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                                          • jahonixJ
                                            jahonix
                                            last edited by

                                            Except for the price! That's ridiculous, parts cost is ~0.80 €/$
                                            Technically it is correct.

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