pyGPS, a python/pygtk/glade/gpsd GPS application


Features:
  o Uses gpsd so it supports any GPS supported by gpsd.  Any
    NMEA-compatible should work, as well as the Delorme Earthmate.
  o Satellite listing
  o Satellite view
  o Moving map
  o Logging (not implemented as of Thursday)


Download:

    http://russnelson.com/ipaq/gps/pygps-0.01.tar.gz

Install:

  o Unpack, and download gps.py, gps.glade, and gpsd to your iPAQ.
  o Copy your desktop Linux box's /etc/localtime to ipaq:/etc/.
    Familiar 0.02 ought to set this up, but it doesn't.
  o Set the time properly.  gpsd requires the proper time to init the gps.
  o Turn off the getty running on the serial port:
        init 4
  o Familiar 0.02 doesn't set the IP address on the loopback interface,
    so you must:
        ifconfig lo 127.0.0.1
  o run gpsd on the iPAQ's serial port:
        ./gpsd -T e -s 9600 -p /dev/ttySA0 -l 4500N -L 7500W

    Those switches are set for the Delorme Earthmate.  If you use an
    NMEA-compatible GPS receiver, you will need to omit -T, and set the
    baud rate to 4800 baud.  You'll also need to set your lat/lon to one
    close to your location.  I live at the 45th latitude north and 75th
    longitude west.
    
    Note also that most GPS cables are wired to connect to the male
    DB-9 on the back of a PC.  The iPAQ is wired the same way.  In
    order to connect the two together, you will need a DB-9 null modem
    (R/S #260-264) and a male DB-9 to male DB-9 gender changer (R/S
    #260-231).  These are Radio Shack part numbers, but any cable
    vendor should carry them.

    You might be able to use the Compaq RS-232 Serial Cable, Part
    Number 236251-B21.  It's on their options web page at
    http://www.compaq.com/products/handhelds/pocketpc/options.shtml

  o run pygps:
    ./pygps

    pygps.glade must be in the current directory.  The "Init" page does
    nothing, except that you can Quit from it.  The "Map" page doesn't work
    on familiar 0.02 because it's missing _gdkimlib.so.  Familiar 0.03 will
    have it.

Map generation:

  o Note that the Map doesn't work on familiar 0.02.  It will work on a
    desktop system.  Also note that the following instructions don't work for
    the current version of the code.
  o gps.py looks in a directory "maps" in the current directory for maps.
  o gps.py looks in the file "maps/index" for an index of available map files.
  o Go to terraserver.microsoft.com.
  o Create and download the map you want.
  o While on the download page, also download the world file.
  o The world file has six lines in it.  Join the six lines into one,
    separating each line by a tab, and append the size of the map file
    and the filename of the map to the end.  The file should have a total
    of nine fields, separated by eight tabs.
  o You may now discard the world file.

Russ Nelson, 22Feb2001
pygps@russnelson.com