# Why doesn't GPS start?

**URL:** <https://discuss.blues.com/t/why-doesnt-gps-start/3296>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [September 26, 2025, 2:05pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/why-doesnt-gps-start/3296 "2025-09-26T14:05:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GaryQ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.blues.com/garyq/32/758_2.png) [@GaryQ](https://discuss.blues.com/u/GaryQ)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 2:05pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/why-doesnt-gps-start/3296/1 "2025-09-26T14:05:26Z")

</div>

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.

```auto
> {"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

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RobLauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.blues.com/roblauer/32/1567_2.png) [@RobLauer](https://discuss.blues.com/u/RobLauer)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/why-doesnt-gps-start/3296/3 "2025-09-26T14:15:48Z")

</div>

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](https://dev.blues.io/api-reference/notecard-api/card-requests/latest/#card-location-mode) request. There is more information here in [Working with GPS on the Notecard](https://dev.blues.io/notecard/notecard-walkthrough/time-and-location-requests/#working-with-gps-on-the-notecard).

Thanks,  
Rob

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GaryQ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.blues.com/garyq/32/758_2.png) [@GaryQ](https://discuss.blues.com/u/GaryQ)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/why-doesnt-gps-start/3296/4 "2025-09-26T15:04:01Z")

</div>

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.

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

```

Thanks for the help Rgds, Gary

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RobLauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.blues.com/roblauer/32/1567_2.png) [@RobLauer](https://discuss.blues.com/u/RobLauer)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/why-doesnt-gps-start/3296/5 "2025-09-30T15:22:07Z")

</div>

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](https://dev.blues.io/guides-and-tutorials/notecard-guides/diagnosing-gps-issues/), 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