Not acquiring all satellites

try this for Garmin GPSMap 178C

Unable to acquire satellites with a GPSMAP 172/178
There could be a few causes of the device not acquiring satellites. If the device has moved a large distance since the last time it has acquired satellites or has been turned off for longer than a few weeks or months, the device may not be able to acquire the satellites correctly.
The first troubleshooting step is to perform an Auto Locate procedure. This procedure will clear the device's memory of previous satellite information, and try to download new information.
Note: This will not clear any user data like waypoints, routes, and tracks.
To perform the Auto Locate procedure, please follow these steps:

1. Start with the device powered OFF
2. Press and hold the Page button and Power ON the device
3. Continue to hold both the Page and Power button until the I Agree button is highlighted in the lower right corner of the screen
4. Press the Enter button

The device should now switch to the GPS satellite screen. Leave the device in clear view of the sky for at least 10-20 minutes to acquire satellites. If the device acquires the satellites before 20 minutes, the device can be used or powered off.
If the Auto Locate procedure does not correct the issue, the next step is to update the internal operating software of the device to the latest version. Please refer to the related FAQ for more information.

hartpark

It looks like you have lost the signal for the 119 satellite from your dish. Are you getting an error message, either 002 or 015, saying the satellite signal has been lost or acquiring satellite signal? First, check the cables on the back of the receiver to make sure they are secure. You can also run a check switch test to see if there is a problem between your dish and receiver.

Press the Menu button on your remote. This will bring up the Main Menu on your TV screen. Input the numbers: 6 (System Setup), 1 (Installation), and 1 (Point Dish). On the right side of the Point Dish screen are 3 buttons. Select the Check Switch button. Within the 2 large boxes are satellite numbers and green or red boxes. Make a note of the satellite numbers (should be 119, 110), the trans, the device, and switch. Super dish and alternate should not be checked. Select the Test button on the bottom of the screen. If a box pops up with a warning about TV 2, select Yes. It will now run the check switch test. Let it complete the test. After completion, the screen will automatically go back to the Installation Summary screen. You may get a message stating that the Check Switch test has found fewer satellites than previously detected. If you get this message cancel out of each screen (do not save the results) till you are back to the TV screen and it is acquiring Satellite signal.

If you don't get that error message, see if the information on the Installation Summary has changed. Then select Done on the next 2 screens and cancel out of the others till you get the message, Acquiring Satellite Signal. After it finishes acquiring satellite signal and downloads the program guide, see if you are getting a picture - try different channels. If you still have problems, please email me at, [email protected]. If you are still experiencing problems, we will need to send a technician to fix the problem.

Ray Calo
DISH Network

If your unit is still acquiring satellite, then it means the signal strength is weak, try to get it outside where it can be facing the sky directly so it will be able to acquire satellite. Once you just update your gps receiver, it seems like it is brand new and when it wants to first acquire satellite, it might take longer to do so. But if it has access to the sky directly, it should take about 3 to 5 minutes to acquire.
If your unit is indoor, it may not acquire satellite, even if it is close to the window, it will not, but if it is outside, then it will acquire faster.
Check if you have any protective coating on your windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit from receiving signal from the satellite. Try to see if your gps receiver can use an antenna, then connect one to it and your gps will acquire satellite.
Try to reset your gps first before trying any other solution for the unit.

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• If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
• If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
• If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
• If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
• If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
• If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
• If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.

If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.

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• If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
• If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
• If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
• If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
• If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
• If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
• If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.

If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.

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Yes, please see this link:


http://www.sharc.net/gps_antenna_repair.htm



- Jim

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} As GPS units are used, data is gathered which helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the ideal condition for acquiring satellites. Please know that there can be several different factors that may cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:

• If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
• If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
• If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
• If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
• If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
• If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
• If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.

If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.

Question: Why won't my unit acquire satellites?
--> Answer: There are a several different factors that can cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:

• If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites.
• If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it is normal for it to take a while to establish its initial position.
• If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take longer than normal to acquire.
• If your unit has traveled a long distance while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take a longer period of time to acquire.
• If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time, it may take a longer period of time to acquire.
• If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, you may need an external antenna.

If your unit is not acquiring satellites, it is recommended that you place the unit in a stationary position where it has a clear view of the sky. In some cases it may be necessary to take the unit outside of your vehicle as certain vehicles inhibit the unit from acquiring satellites. As the unit receives signal from the satellites, it will begin to lock on to them individually until it has acquired enough information to establish your position.

If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software. You can do this using our WebUpdater program which can be found at the following link:

http://www.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp

I experienced the same problem about acquiring satellite signal even when it's a clear sunny day. After 30 mintues, it was still searching! The unit appeared to have "stuck" in this acquiring mode. The following worked for me: 1) open the GPS antenna 2) press the bottom left screen while holding the power button to turn the unit on 3) enter maintenace mode 4) select diagnostics 5) clear error report, do NOT clear any user data 6) restart unit the usual way My GPS 350 was able to acquire satellite signal in less than 1 minute after the above steps were taken.