Ok After tearing apart the whole front of my truck to mount unit under dash, etc I realized that there is just way to much stuff to even stuff that little box in there so I am using under seat install. I have it about 3/4 done. I was mounting power to block under rear seat and I saw my onstar box. I thought to myself, wait, I don't use that I can probably take it out, which it appears I can w/o any problems. My question is this, doesn't this mean I have a GPS puck on my truck for Onstar? and if so can I use this for GPS?

Tal you have hit upon something that most people overlook, depending on the year, make and model what you have is a GPS coupled with a 3 watt analog cell phone. If you dis-assemble the on-star you can locate the GPS board (usually a Motorola Encore or a SiRf Star III about the size of a bic lighter) and re-task the GPS to do what you want. Simply solder on a new serial interface and you can re-task the GPS with a laptop.

Try: www.i-hacked.com/content/view/15/45/

I have wrestled with hacking my On-Star for years, honestly, unless you are just into doing geek things (like me) the easiest thing to do is get the cable I showed you and a Nuvi 350. It's quick, simple, easy and IT WORKS! If you just want to beacon your position and not see everyone else you can try a Green Light Labs GPS or any other GPS with a serial interface.

www.greenlightlabs.com/gps-710/

you do know tha tyou can actually buy a gps that fits onto the back of the control head for the 710 right ?

i have one for mine and it works a treat.

that's the green light labs one that has already been mentioned....

as the saying goes in the uk.... lot less bovva wiv an 'ovva......

simple, easy to install, and it works....

charlie

Well I finished the install on the radio last night with exception of remote speakers which I got on e-bay for 2 bucks each and a Mic extension cable I have yet to build its basically done. I will get some pictures tonight as we finally have encountered this bright yellow thing I think they call the sun after about a week of rain/gloom. Besides I will have time to take the pics since I can take a break from building my ark.

I thought about the greenlight GPS which is small and convenient but I still would like to see where people are w/ hams as opposed to just people on SN and unfortunately the cables are non stock because the company that was making them quit so argent is working on a re-work. Unless you have a spare one or know of someone who does I will have to wait.

I have to say I really like the 710 so far. Its quite a lot of machine, I feel overwhelmed but I can definitely see the possibilities and should get easier as I get familiar with it.

Since Argent is out of stock on that cable, would this cable work? I could just attach the plug at the end of it if needed.

www.argentdata.com/catalog/product_info....8&products_id=90

Tal that cable will work BUT the bi-directional serial interface with the D710 is not the perfect marriage. The Nuvi 350 will mark the location of the APRS station as a waypoint so it won't be the standard icon set but functional none-the-less. Make sure to set your APRS interface to 4800 NMEA and the waypoint name to 9 caracters. The Nuvi should reckognize the serial interface and switch to FMI mode automatically.

Man I'm totally stoked! Hope you get this thing working soon.

Ok I need some help with this one...

I am now conducting experiments with my science class and we are considering moving from video to actual info. Here's my dilemma.

There are several of us getting weather instrumentation for sticknets and for mobile use. I was looking at this product...

www.amazon.com/ProWeatherStation-Wireles...73971019&sr=8-13

It looks reliable and has all the instruments I need, but do you think that could go atop a car? We have designs for a mobile mesonet for the roof rack, but the question is could that withstand driving atop a car?

If not that item which instrumentation would you recommend?

Thanks in advance...
~Nick

Stew this is a well beta tested weather station. I learned about them from Scott @ Argent:

www.argentdata.com/catalog/product_info....caac002584c433b929db

If you are gathering data for your own use this will be sufficient but is not scientific grade. You are going to need a stronger mounting system for the anemometer sensor array and most importantly, you will need a mobile aspirated enclosure for the temp / humidity sensor array. These modules are in the "stacked plates" and must be kept away from direct contact with moisture BUT must have an active flow of ambient air. Not an easy engineering challenge for a mobile application. The plates will allow rain to be ingested by the sensor and ruin it

Please note the large "sewer pipe" www.mesoscale.ws/pic2005/050516-7.jpg

Next the anemometer cups and vane will probably need to be replaced often due to impacts with debris, hail and 70+ MPH winds.

Lastly you need two important factors to make the data useful, it must be in sharable format and you must know when and where it was obtained. That is a software issue try virtual weather station:

www.ambientweather.com/do30tr.html

There is a caveat that I must share, In situ meteorological measurements are by their very nature dangerous endeavours and should not be attempted without adequate training.

For your enjoyment:
www.mesoscale.ws/pictures/instruments/

Ok well here is my 1st attempt at uploading pics. Had such nice weather past couple of days as opposed to a week plus of rain/gloom I had to catch up on the yardwork per the CP. I also have managed to get a new camcorder for this year and best thing is it fell under the 48hour rule!!!

this is the back seat only a power strip to be seen which is normal and used for laptop power mainlyy and occasionally camera batteries, etc

Here is mu under rear seat install of 750W inverter and main radio body for my TM D710A

Sorry Tal the pic thing didn't work

I upload everything to photobucket.com and then just paste the link in the forum. that seems to work great.