[bnesbit]

I have a Blackberry 8830 and was trying to use several GPS applications outside the range of wireless coverage. I wasn't able to track any satellites or get my position. When I returned to wireless coverage everything started working again, however when I turn off my wireless receiver I can no longer get the GPS to work.

I'm certain the GPS receiver gets its signals from satellites, so why would my GPS not work with the wireless antennae off?

I'm wondering if others have this problem, might know what I'm doing wrong, or can clarify how the GPS built-in to my BB actually works.

Thanks,

Barry

[penguin3107]

You need wireless coverage and a good data signal to download the actual maps.
They aren't stored in an offline state on your device.

You can get GPS coordinates, but they're basically useless in most regards without the maps.

[bnesbit]

I was trying to use Trek Buddy, which allows you to download maps to the SD card and use those with the GPS. I tried a few other apps as well that don't use maps. I can't seem to track satellites and acquire GPS coordinates outside of wireless coverage.

[penguin3107]

I'm not familiar with that software. Sorry I can't offer any additional assistance.

[brewkatz]

You may have better luck getting your question answered in the Trek Buddy Forum -
TrekBuddy - J2ME application for GPS tracking

Good Luck!

[bnesbit]

I'm not having a problem specifically with Trek Buddy.

When my wireless antenna is turned off, or when I'm outside wireless coverage, I do not get any GPS signal on any apps, including GPSed, Trek Buddy, BBMaps, BB Tracker, etc. There has to be some explanation for this.

Has anyone else on the Bell Canada network tried using their 8830 GPS outside wireless coverage or with the wireless turned off? Can anyone suggest why my GPS functionality might be related to the availability of the wireless network?

Thanks,

Barry

[Chernobyl]

The GPS on CDMA BlackBerry handhelds is "assisted GPS" (aGPS). While the phone does have the receiver for receiving the satellite signals, it needs the assistance of a land-based "position determining entity" (PDE) server to provide it with the correct ephemeris and almanac (basically, which satellites are where in the sky). If that server is not available your device will not be able to give you a position fix. All 8830/8130/8330 devices have this limitation. The benefit of using this method is that it gives much quicker (and potentially more accurate) fixes even with poor visibility of the satellite constellation.

Short answer: it's annoying, but there's nothing you can do about it.

[ChainsawDude]

Originally Posted by Chernobyl

The GPS on CDMA BlackBerry handhelds is "assisted GPS" (aGPS). While the phone does have the receiver for receiving the satellite signals, it needs the assistance of a land-based "position determining entity" (PDE) server to provide it with the correct ephemeris and almanac (basically, which satellites are where in the sky). If that server is not available your device will not be able to give you a position fix. All 8830/8130/8330 devices have this limitation.

This is interesting, it is the first time I have seen that the GPS is not completely self contained.

I have an 8110 and I just can not get the GPS to get a fix, either via BB maps (which just says searching for satellites for ever) or just doing options->advanced options->gps->Refresh GPS (which times out after 3 minutes)
So is it true that the GPS is not self contained? does it need a service book entry?

[Iare Tosevite]

So far I know, it's true for 8830 only. Others have true gps. :(

I wish someone could develop something that makes 8830 calculate location locally, therefore bypassing need for wireless connection.

[Synik103]

GPSed says it'll track your location with or without signal... worth a shot.