Activating $GPRMC Signal from an ArcPad Script

[Kevin_RogersBwire]

I have tried to activate my Trimble NOMAD GPS to output a $GPRMC signal from an ArcPad Script. The reason is because only $GPRMC can give the DATE and TIME whereas the rest of the NMEA signals like GPGGA, GPGGL just give you TIME. I have tried to use Satviewer and GPS Controller to do this but its cumbersome since this applications must be started manually and this is not very practical.

[DeniseKing]

Hi Kevin,

ArcPad recognizes NMEA 0183 version 2.0 or higher sentences. $GPRMC is one of the NMEA 0183 sentences recognized by ArcPad by default, http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcpad/10.0/help/index.html#//00s1000000zz000000.htm.

Actual description of $GPRMC is Recommend minimum specific GPS/Transit data whereas $GPZDA description is Time and Date. What GPS sentences are being received in ArcPad's GPS Debug tool?
http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcpad/10.0/help/index.html#//00s1000000z6000000.htm

As you are probably aware, most GPS receivers output a limited  number of NMEA 0183 sentences and ArcPad uses data from a number of NMEA 0183  sentences to display all of the information in the GPS Position Window as well  as to populate the fields associated with the GPS Tracklog. When information is  not displayed in the GPS Position Window it is usually the result of ArcPad not  receiving the required NMEA 0183 sentence from the receiver.


The Trimble Nomad supports NMEA and SiRF binary GPS protocols. Do you have the device set to output the NMEA or SiRF GPS protocol? Is ArcPad set to the same GPS protocol as being output by the device in GPS Preferences window? Is the GPS set on COM2 at 9600 baud? Please review the Trimble Support document below to see if it helps you configure your Nomad GPS receiver with ArcPad.

http://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-462176/MCS_SprtNote_Nomad_Built-in_GPS.pdf

If you should need further assistance and have current ArcPad maintenance, please log a support incident with Esri Support Services, http://support.esri.com/en. You can choose phone, fax, email, webform, or chat options to speak with an ArcPad specialist.

Thanks,
Denise