[time-nuts] trimble thunderbolt has no satellites

[jan.catrysse]

Hello,

I am new to this, so advice is welcome.

I had a Trimble thunderbolt running the whole summer and when checking
today, it seems I lost satellite tracking. 

But I don't know what is wrong or how to diagnose it. I tried a power cycle
and factory reset. 

In the thunderbolt monitor
1. all alarms are green.
2. signal levels (SV and AMU) are all empty with a question mark.
3. I seem to get an accurate time.
4. the timing outputs seem be ok and quite stable, nothing compared to a
first start.
5. I get a GPS position.
6. RCVR mode = (7) Overdet. Clock (time)
7. GPS status = (0) Doing fixes

It seems the time is getting in, but no satellite fixes.
I checked the bias of the antenna, it was about 5 volts.

What could be wrong? Or how could I check it further?

The GPS antenna is about 5 meters from the house but only about 50cm from
the ground. Could this be seasonal? Is my house blocking the signal this
time of year?

I added some screenshots on the EEVBlog forum:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/trimble-thunderbolt-nu-satellites-12
8752/new/#new

I'm a bit lost to be frank.

Thank you.





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Re: [time-nuts] trimble thunderbolt has no satellites

[Chris Caudle]

On 2020-12-03 01:51, jan.catry...@gmail.com wrote:

I had a Trimble thunderbolt running the whole summer and when checking
today, it seems I lost satellite tracking.


It is worth trying a different antenna.  The lack of antenna alarm in 
the monitor program indicates that the amplifier in the antenna has not 
failed completely, at least not in a way that causes it to stop drawing 
current, or draw too much current, but lack of satellites tracked would 
seem to indicate something in the front end RF chain.  Antenna is the 
easiest to check.  If not the antenna then possibly the front end RF 
amplifier was damaged, but I've never looked into how difficult that 
would be to change.  Hopefully just a damaged antenna from a summer 
thunderstorm or similar.


-- Chris Caudle

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Re: [time-nuts] trimble thunderbolt has no satellites

[Jan Catrysse]

 Using another USB to serial cable fixed it! Now I am using an USB 2 port
and not the integrated serial port of my docking station (internally
connected to USB 3.0)

Jezus... go figure...
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Re: [time-nuts] Trimble Thunderbolt has No satellites

[Gregory Beat via time-nuts]

Jan -

Your Posted Display (Thunderbolt Monitor)
shows that NO GPS Signals are being Received / Data Output to your Computer.
—
CHECK your Antenna, Coax, and Connectors : Your problem is appears to be there.

Use a SECOND +5 Volt GPS Antenna ... to Verify Thunderbolt is Not at Fault.
CAUTION: NEWER GPS Antennas are often ONLY +3.3 Volt ... 
and could damage pre-amplifier within GPS antenna or Thunderbolt.
—
I have a Trimble Thunderbolt (RED), Surplus from a 911 Call Center when 2019 
WNRO Event occurred.
Running very well with Lady Heather version 6.14 Beta.
** IF you are using a Serial to USB converter ... Latest Windows 10 has a BUG 
for USB 3.0 hubs.  
Microsoft promises “fix” ASAP (likely next 4 weeks). ** 
==
Week Number RollOver (WNRO) is a known GPS issue, 
NOT corrected by MANY GPS manufacturers (firmware oversight, planned 
obsolescence, etc.)
https://www.trimble.com/WNRO/

The First GPS WNRO event occurred in 1999.  
The Second WNRO occurred on April 6, 2019, at GPS Midnight.
—
The Trimble Thunderbolt (RED and older OEM models) is NOT Upgradable by Trimble.
http://www.leapsecond.com/pages/tbolt/Thunderbolt-2003-11.pdf

Trimble sells the Thunderbolt-E (BLUE label) as the replacement.
https://www.trimble.com/Timing/thunderbolt-e.aspx

—
LADY HEATHER (LH) version 6.xx BETA for Windows corrects the WNRO date that LH 
displays. Trimble Thunderbolt still outputs (serial data) the incorrect date.

Mark Sims (texaspyro) posted the Link and Instructions on EEVBLOG (February 22, 
2018)
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/lady-heather-v6-beta-for-windows-exe/msg1434005/#msg1434005
===

greg, w9gb
chicago
===
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2020 08:51:43 +0100
From: 
To: 
Subject: [time-nuts] Trimble Thunderbolt has No satellites

Hello,

I am new to this, so advice is welcome.

I had a Trimble Thunderbolt running the whole summer and when checking today, 
it seems I lost satellite tracking. 

But I don't know what is wrong or how to diagnose it. 
I tried a power cycle and factory reset. 

In the Thunderbolt Monitor (Application):
1. All Alarms are Green.
2. All Signal levels (SV and AMU) are empty with a question mark.
3. I seem to get an accurate time.
4. The Timing outputs seem be ok and quite stable, nothing compared to a
first start.
5. I get a GPS position.
6. RCVR mode = (7) Overdetermined Clock (time)
7. GPS status = (0) Doing fixes

It seems the time is getting in, but no satellite fixes.
I checked the bias of the antenna, it was about 5 volts.
What could be wrong? Or how could I check it further?

The GPS antenna is about 5 meters from the house but only about 50cm from
the ground. Could this be seasonal? Is my house blocking the signal this
time of year?

I added some screenshots on the EEVBlog forum:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/trimble-thunderbolt-nu-satellites-128752/new/#new

I'm a bit lost, to be frank.

Thank you.  -Jan
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