Common-sense Ways to Improve your Tracker’s GPS Reception

Sometimes a GPS doesn’t collect good data. This can be a result of poor atmospheric conditions, bad antenna placement, “Canyon effect”, tree cover or interference (such as thunderstorm clouds). You can lessen the chance that your equipment will have trouble reporting its location by following these common sense guidelines:

All GPS receivers need a clear path to the satellites.

Most of the time the signal can’t go through things you can’t see through; a vehicle’s roof, trees, buildings. When installing a tracker, the best place for the GPS will be on the roof or another area where it won’t be bumped and will get a clear view of the sky above.

Avoid parking near buildings, cliffs and other large solid objects.

If there are obstructions such as thick woodland or tall buildings or mountains around your equipment, then the GPS signal may be affected and affect the position accuracy. These obstructions not only block the signals, but can give you reflected signals, which will degrade the accuracy of the data.

General rule of thumb – if there is a shadow on your equipment, you might not get a signal.

If you have on-going GPS reception issues, or need advice on any other issue, call SolarTrak Support Team at 484-223-4994.

Mike Wimmer, SolarTrak Support Team