Why doesn't GPS start?

1

Hello

I have just received Notecard NBGLN and am using Notecarrier-R to house them on my motherboard.

(Note a few years ago I have previously used Notecard LTE_M Global on Notecarrier-B, but these are no longer available, so I used the newer NBGLN/Notecarrier-R)

When I use the Notecard NBGLN, the GPS never starts. I don’t recall having this problem with the previous Notecards.

> {"req":"card.version"}
{
 "version": "notecard-9.2.3.17324",
 "device": "dev:861059068048135",
 "name": "Blues Wireless Notecard",
 "sku": "NOTE-NBGLN",
 "ordering_code": "EB0WT1N0AXBA",
 "board": "5.13",
 "cell": true,
 "gps": true,
 "body": {
  "org": "Blues Wireless",
  "product": "Notecard",
  "target": "u5",
  "version": "notecard-u5-9.2.3",
  "ver_major": 9,
  "ver_minor": 2,
  "ver_patch": 3,
  "ver_build": 17324,
  "built": "Aug 11 2025 12:07:58"
 }
}
>  {"req":"card.location"}
{
 "status": "GPS is off {gps-inactive}",
 "mode": "off",
 "lat": -37.8261875,
 "lon": 145.04561328125,
 "dop": 21,
 "time": 1758893495
}

The GPS always stays in the “GPS is off {gps-inactive}” state. It has been like that for many hours now.

I am using the same LTE and GPS antennas as I use with the older Notecard, and they work fine.

What do I do to make the GPS become active with the newer NBGLN Notecards?

Thanks

3

Hi @GaryQ,

In order to conserve power, by default the GPS on the Notecard won’t start until you configure it with at least a card.location.mode API request. There is more information here in Working with GPS on the Notecard.

Thanks,
Rob

2 Likes
4

OK thanks Rob for the quick reply.

Understand now. For my application, I want to have continuous GPS and periodic data connection.
So I have set the following.

{  "req": "hub.set",  "mode": "periodic"}
{  "req": "card.location.mode",  "mode": "continuous"}

Thanks for the help Rgds, Gary

5

Hi @GaryQ,

You’re definitely on the right path with the periodic vs continuous connection modes. In addition, you should be aware that there can be significant delays (e.g. 1-3 minutes) when Notecard switches from cellular to GPS modes (and back again). There are some good tips in this article, but just make sure you set appropriately high outbound and inbound values in your hub.set request (e.g. at least 30 minutes each is my recommendation).

Thanks,
Rob