Symmetricom XL-DC stays in unlock

[Evert-Jan]

Dear forum members,
I bought a Symmetricom XL-DC. However, after connecting the antenna and switching on the device, the left display shows an A and unlock. The device is now on for over 24 hours and the antenna is in front of the window. I have checked if the antenna voltage of 5 Volt is present.  The antenna I use has the following specifications: Frequency 1575.42 MHz +/-2 MHz ; Impedance 50 Ohm; Voltage 3V~5V. Does anyone have an idea what I am doing wrong. Thank you in advance. Evert

[PA0PBZ]

Hard to say, are the XL-DC and the antenna known to be good? What direction is the window looking at? Can you get any status info from the RS-232 port?

[richnormand]

I had lots of issues with setting up a GPS antenna inside for my Trimble stabilised oscillator. I finally gave up as no window orientation was adequate.
In particular since the window looked north (not many satellites there and bad elevation and a building in front)

If you have an old Garmin NUVI or similar with a connector for an external antenna in addition to the internal one,  it would allow you to find the best window for signal strength and number of locked satellites.
Plugging the external antenna then tells you if it is working OK.
These old units are available for a few $ on ebay and such. It is about the only way I had to evaluate the best antenna position.

I ended up with a cheap ebay antenna with a magnet on the back. It allowed me to use a long pole (for trimming trees) to raise it and stick it high on a metal strap near the house roof looking at the azimuth.
I then ran the signal coax in the corner of the window. Outside I also grounded the coax shield with another wire to ground for safety.

Works great.

Also my unit gives me realtime data of satellite position and signal strength via Lady Heather by Texaspyro (active member here) but no useful information until it acquires a satellite. That is why I used the Garmin initially.
Antenna placement is key here.

Hope that helps, good luck with it.

[Evert-Jan]

As far as I know, the XL-DC and the antenna are good. I haven't figured out what information I can get out of the RS-232 port yet but I will definitely do that.
Anyway, thanks for your information.

[Evert-Jan]

Thanks for the tip I'm going to find out which antenna place works well. The window overlooks south, but an antenna outside seems like a promising option to me when I hear your experience.  Thanks for your tip