Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

[flotsum]

Anyone had problems with Garmin 188C GPS/Sounders not be able to find WAAS signals upon initialization. Spraying electrical contact cleaner on both the antenna connector and the data connector will cause the unit to work briefly...I'm thinking it's the antenna...as the original was cut off (corroded) and a press fit replacement connector was installed by the owner...(he's a friend and I'm helping him out..) I'm going to replace his antenna connector with a soldered connector this weekend...after checking with another external antenna first to see if this confirms my suspicions...if not the GPS functions of this unit may be inoperative and it may have to be sent to Garmin for repair.<br /><br />Thanks for any ideas/ suggestions..<br />Flotsum<br />Power is fine...as sounder works OK...

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

I am nor a fan of Garmin products. Won't touch 'em. But I have read several posts that suggest the default mode for Garmin GPS/WAAS decoding is "off" so you would need to go into the setup menu and enable the WAAS decoding. But I am not a Garmin owner so ...

 

[FishyFun]

Re: Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

WAAS is still being implemented for aircraft. The satilites circle the equator so it is difficult for us in a boat to get good WAAS. It should get better as time goes by. Don't rack your brain trying to get something you might not be able to recieve of recieve it very limited. I have a Lowrance 26C HD with GPS and WAAS, I get <br />WAAS sometime but rely more on the GPS. I can get to within 16 feet of position according to the position error display. <br /><br />lee

 

[QC]

Re: Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

I have trouble getting a consistent WAAS signal too with my 172C. I chocked it up to the reason noted in Gisvold's post and I am using the little built-in Antenna. I got connectivity for about an hour last week out in the middle of the desert . . . I belive that is the only time.<br /><br />BTW, my Garmin was set from the factory to attempt a WAAS connection, but it is switchable in the System menu.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

WAAS Satellites are GeoStationary so they are over the equator and over 22000 miles miles High. At your location you can only get AOR-W (Alatinic ocean region west Garmin number 35)<br /><br />It position is Latitude 0 Longitude 54 degrees West and 22,000 miles high. So you can see it a long ways South and East of your location. This means it will be low on the horizion. Your antenna needs to have a clear view of the the South. Any thing in the way like boat structure, trees, river banks, mountains, buildings and you will not get it.<br /><br />GPS satelites are in much lower orbit and cover the entire globe so always have 3 or 4 high enough to receive very easy.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

I’d say you have a connector problem since you can make it work by increasing the conductivity of the connection.<br /><br />I use a remote antenna mounted on the hard top and i have no problems picking up the WAAS birds at all.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

Originally posted by Boatist:<br /> ... Any thing in the way like boat structure, trees, river banks, mountains, buildings and you will not get it.

And aircraft!!!<br /><br />My sat tv started dropping out, then coming back, then dropping out, ... Took awhile but I traced it back to terrorist activity. Since 9/11 the Goodyear blimp and small planes towing banners have to stay 1-mile away from any sports arena whenever there is a game. So they expanded their orbit and moved it up higher. Now they circle right between my dish and the DirecTV sat. Whenever the Oakland A's or the Raiders are playing, I can’t watch Oprah. I want to ban football and baseball until this terrorist thing is cleaned up and the Goodyear blimp can go back to blimping in a lower orbit. I have a Constitutional right to know how big Oprah grew this week!

 

[flotsum]

Re: Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

Originally posted by flotsum:<br /> Anyone had problems with Garmin 188C GPS/Sounders not be able to find WAAS signals upon initialization. Spraying electrical contact cleaner on both the antenna connector and the data connector will cause the unit to work briefly...I'm thinking it's the antenna...as the original was cut off (corroded) and a press fit replacement connector was installed by the owner...(he's a friend and I'm helping him out..) I'm going to replace his antenna connector with a soldered connector this weekend...after checking with another external antenna first to see if this confirms my suspicions...if not the GPS functions of this unit may be inoperative and it may have to be sent to Garmin for repair.<br /><br />Thanks for any ideas/ suggestions..<br />Flotsum<br />Power is fine...as sounder works OK...

 

[flotsum]

Re: Garmin 188C..no WAAS on initialization

Just to follow-up on my Garmin Post...problem found..bad remote antenna....and by the way the Antenna from my ICOM GPS works just fine on the Garmin...at least to check it out to see if that was the problem. Don't know if long term use may cause problems as the antenna's may have different specs. But to check out the Garmin for several minutes...no harm, no foul...<br /><br />Flotsum