Better Reception for PSP-290

[atari800]

Seems like good research to me
Am I going to run out and buy one? No
Too bad there wasnt a USB Mini-b extension cable so we could see if the 111-222-333 Mhz putting out noise is effecting the satellite signal....or is it just how people see there system as working best

but thats a different thread/argument

[in7ane]

bah, don't dismiss it as spam/faulty test, it is quite likely that it does improve GPS' reception, just not by being an antenna as such. My guess is that it either reflects GPS signals back into the unit, or, more likely, acts as a shield between the PSP and the GPS (someone modified a metal PSP case in one of the other threads and got better reception as that blocked the PSP's interference). In either of those cases placing the antenna under the GPS unit should improve reception, but placing it above may degrade it. Other metal objects may works as well (probably not tin foil though, as it's aluminum). Having said that, this is just a guess.

eka, if it's not permanently attached the the GPS, can you try it on top (front) of the unit and see if you get worse/better results?

[platinumdragon]

Seems like good research to me
Am I going to run out and buy one? No
Too bad there wasnt a USB Mini-b extension cable so we could see if the 111-222-333 Mhz putting out noise is effecting the satellite signal....or is it just how people see there system as working best

but thats a different thread/argument

I found one here but it's a big rip off http://industrialcomponent.com/usbstuff/cellext.html

You could probably make something like that with an old PSP cord and a female adapter

[bah]

http://www.andybrain.com/extras/cell...w-and-test.htm

http://reviews.ebay.com/Cell-Phone-B...00000001458986

I was going to leave it be as this guy seems to like to get holier than thou. I am simply informing people not to waste their money, no matter how little.

Google for reviews for these things or even explanation of the principles they supposedly operate on. The one in the image shown does not even contain any conductive materials. They do nothing, end of story.

The quicker this thread dies the better.


Edit: in7ane: The only way these things can do anything is by resonance, for that they would need to be tuned to the correct frequency not to mention be conductive in some way to start with.
If these things actually did this, and the PSP is creating interference in the same frequency range, then putting it between the GPS's actual antenna and the PSP unit would 'draw in' the interference rather than block it.

A lump of metal would be far more effective as a shield as it would actually effect the RF signal in some way, unlike these things.

Anyways, enough of this stuff. You guys can make up your own mind, its your $ not mine.
I just don't like the encouragement of pseudo-science gimmicks like this, magnetic inner soles or whatever else, as it detracts from peoples respect for actual technology.

[An0nJ0hn]

I found one here but it's a big rip off http://industrialcomponent.com/usbstuff/cellext.html

You could probably make something like that with an old PSP cord and a female adapter

A couple of us are working on making cables. Check them out and let us know what you think and if you have any ideas that may improve upon our current designs.

This is the thread:
http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/sho...t=62604&page=4

r2000 of these forums found a much better deal on that cable here:
http://pc-mobile.net/guge.htm

I got mine from there for 8.50 USD and received it within a week.

[skylife]

nice find eka, yes please do some more tests as in7ane said. would be interesting seeing the results, and if they are positive i mite invest my hard earned dollar into it.
cheers mate

[atari800]

Some people say shielding the PSP to reduce it's noise interference makes it lock on quicker
Others say reducing the clock speed works (which could reduce cpu/component noise)

Heres an observation:
I dont have my PSP shielded and got a GPS-290
It does appear to lock on quicker when I reduce CPU to 111
I am wondering if the bus speed between GPS,USB and the main system is the bottleneck here.

By default Sony set PSP to 222 mhz although it can go up to 333 - they may have done this to extend battery life but maybe there is some other issues that influenced that decision, like the bus speed effecting other components functionality.

I am thinking if the GPS is only designed to stream in info at a certain speed, it could be the CPU running so fast isnt giving enough time to retrieve packets from it.

*Now I am not an expert on GPS PSP technology but here is what I am thinking;
<--1 second of time ---->
|------------------------------|
...........................***** <---- (packet burst from sat)
|---------------| <---- psp at 333 mhz
|------------------------------| <----psp at 222
|----------------------------------------------| at 111

maybe once it captures the packet - it tries to adjust so it can determine the next packets arrival. Once it can do this several times in a row - it is considered fixed.
<--1 second of time ---->
|------------------------------|
*****............................<---- (packet burst from sat)
|---------------| <---- psp at 333 mhz
|------------------------------| <----psp at 222
|----------------------------------------------| at 111

(see how any speed can capture this now?)

Now when they are fixed you can bump up the speed to 333mhz because it is already knows with great precision when the next packet will come in.
...and also speed up screen drawing


Just a thought
/|\

[An0nJ0hn]

The PSP definitely creates interference in my opinion. I just got back from road testing my home made extension cable and the PSP locks on faster at any CPU speed using the cable. I had full reception except when I was parked under some high voltage power lines (not regular neighborhood power lines) when my reception dropped to a still usable/acceptable 50%.

I had my PSP on the passenger seat and the PSP-290 receiver at the top of my windshield with the cable hung over the passengers side sun visor in order to keep the receiver up high and away from the PSP.

Using the cable, I find it best to run Map This! at 333 Mhz as I still got lock in less than one minute, LOC doesn't seem to matter. I left it at 1.

[atari800]

The PSP definitely creates interference in my opinion. I just got back from road testing my home made extension cable and the PSP locks on faster at any CPU speed using the cable. I had full reception except when I was parked under some high voltage power lines (not regular neighborhood power lines) when my reception dropped to a still usable/acceptable 50%.

I seen your thread on your usb cable you made -nice work!!!

I will go with your noise issue based on those credentials :thumbup: versus my USB sync/speed theory. I have nothing to back my claim uo.

Now I havent had any issue with powerlines or bridges interfering with me. I was stuck in traffic under a bridge for a long time. I do have access to powerlines but I hadnt walked around the towers or near the little station for any period of time - so I could be wrong there, but a parallel stroll under them didnt cause an issue.

[deniska]

The PSP definitely creates interference in my opinion. I just got back from road testing my home made extension cable and the PSP locks on faster at any CPU speed using the cable. I had full reception except when I was parked under some high voltage power lines (not regular neighborhood power lines) when my reception dropped to a still usable/acceptable 50%.

I had my PSP on the passenger seat and the PSP-290 receiver at the top of my windshield with the cable hung over the passengers side sun visor in order to keep the receiver up high and away from the PSP.

Using the cable, I find it best to run Map This! at 333 Mhz as I still got lock in less than one minute, LOC doesn't seem to matter. I left it at 1.

I did my own tests yesterday - looks like the cable does make a difference...
I got much better sensitivity. I think it was the first time I "saw" 12 satelites in view with PSP-290 unit...
I'll probably going to post my finding in a new thread...