Matsutec HP-33A GPS no fix

[webcraft]

Been away from the boat for five months and come back to find the AIS transponder u/s with the message 'GPS no fix'

Nothing has been touched or moved while we were away. . . Is it possible the Matsutec GPS arial itself has failed in the Summer Algarve sun, and if not where should I start looking?

- W

 

[Daverw]

I would first check for corrosion in the coax to antenna, we had similar issue about 4 years ago and when changed antenna I open up the coax and the inner braid was just dust in many places.

 

[jbweston]

Could it be simply that the GPS is having to do a (very) cold start as it has no idea where it is or where the satellites are now? No doubt you've thought of this, but some of the older GPS receivers were slow in starting from cold.

I don't know how old your GPS receiver is as I don't know that model but we get used to modern ones firing up within seconds.

 

[webcraft]

The Masutec is relatively new and the boat has not moved since the last time it worked.

And it was longer without being fired up during Covid.

So I don't think that is the issue

 

[jbweston]

The Masutec is relatively new and the boat has not moved since the last time it worked.

And it was longer without being fired up during Covid.

So I don't think that is the issue

I did have the same symptoms as you when the internal memory packed up on my old Raymarine receiver. It was some years ago now, but if I recall it was a backup battery that powered the memory store of the last active position and satelite data. Before the battery failed the cold start was slower than a warm one, but after the battery went it took ages to get a position when the power had been turned off while I was away from the boat. So much so that I replaced the receiver.

I'm sure you know it best. It sounds like it could be the antenna or antenna connection, as suggested by DaverW.