External GPS modules not locking satellites via Notecard AUX UART

Hardware Notecarrier A
1

Hi Blues team,

I’m trying to use the Notecard for continuous GPS tracking with external GPS modules connected to the AUX UART.

I tested both:

  • Quescan G10A-F30 M10 GPS
  • Beitian BN-180 GPS

In both cases:

  • Baud rate is correctly set to 9600
  • GPS TX and RX are wired to Notecard AUX RX and AUX TX
  • Power is properly supplied (VMain) and ground (GND)

Despite this, the Notecard never locks a fix. The modules power up but don’t seem to track satellites.

My response from card.location is always something like:

{
  "status": "GPS search (62 sec, 30/35 dB SNR, 0/9 sats, HDOP 0.00) {gps-active} {gps-signal} {gps-sats}",
  "mode": "continuous"
}

Even after several hours outdoors, I still get 0 fix satellites.

However, if I connect the same GPS modules to a microcontroller (Raspberry Pi Pico), they lock satellites in under a minute using the same baud rate and antenna.

Is there something I’m missing to get these modules working directly with the AUX UART? Any known compatibility issues?

note: i’m using the Notecard A + Notecard Cellular

Thanks!

2

Hi @ghack9293

Sorry to hear you’re having issues!

Can you confirm how you are powering the GPS modules? It might help us to see a photo of how you have connected the GPS modules to the microcontroller and the Notecarrier A + Notecard Cellular.

Thanks,
Alex

3

Following up, could you also share which version of firmware your notecard is using please?

4

IMG_5823.HEIC
IMG_5823.HEIC3024×4032 6.05 MB

red => Main
black => GND
white => AUXRX
green => AUXTX

5 
{

  "req": "card.version"

}



{
 "version": "notecard-9.2.1.17281",
 "device": "dev:868032061482877",
 "name": "Blues Wireless Notecard",
 "sku": "NOTE-WBNAN",
 "ordering_code": "EA0WT1N0AXBB",
 "board": "5.13",
 "cell": true,
 "gps": true,
 "body": {
  "org": "Blues Wireless",
  "product": "Notecard",
  "target": "u5",
  "version": "notecard-u5-9.2.1",
  "ver_major": 9,
  "ver_minor": 2,
  "ver_patch": 1,
  "ver_build": 17281,
  "built": "Jul 9 2025 11:36:04"
 }
}
6

Hi @ghack9293,

We think this may be related to a firmware issue; I’ll follow up with you privately to resolve it.

Additionally, it is recommended not to use VMAIN for the VCC because VMAIN can go both above and below the Quecscan’s voltage limits. It would be better to use GND → GND, VIO → VCC, AUX_RX → TX, AUX_TX → RX, AUX_EN → EN.