Hi Paul, Thanks for sharing this info! I ordered one of these lots as well, and it should arrive today, actually. My intention is to re-mount the modules on more sensible breakout boards, maybe a Pi Hat.
The 8 pin chip on the board is an MCL BP2G. RF power combiner/splitter https://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/BP2G+.pdf <https://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/BP2G+.pdf> If I am reading the datasheet and board layout right, the top connector is connected to PORT1, the GPS is PORT2, and the side connector is SUM. I would imagine that the GPS would be on SUM if the idea was to feed in >1 RF signal, but maybe I am misunderstanding it? I was surprised by your note that the USB voltage input is 3v, but after checking the LEA-4x datasheet, sure enough, 3.6v max. I thought all USB had to be 5v? Finally, it looks like the PCB is ceramic, rather than normal epoxy/fiberglass. Hopefully that doesn't make removing the modules any more difficult... John > On Apr 5, 2022, at 9:14 PM, paul swed <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hello to the group. > Gregory had mentioned a deal on Ebay for 5 X LEA-4T receivers at $25. > Seemed like an OK deal to be able to have a few units around for > experimenting. > They arrived and were easy to get operational. > They are a little different. The module actually has 2 antenna inputs. Took > a bit to figure out what was going on. Both work in the L1 band and the > side connector appears more sensitive by 4-5 db. But both work. > Its a circa 2006 16 channel receiver and does capture WAAS. > Locks in about 30 second from cold start. Ublox u-center 8.18 works fine > with the unit. > Its setup for USB. But that USB is just 3V logic so be careful. > The unit runs on 3V. None of the ttl 3V rs 232 ports connect to anything. > But TX1/RX1 actually have control and data at 9600 baud. Pins 3-4 on the > actual chip. Attaching some small wires allowed complete control of the > module after passing through a logic to usb serial converter. > 1 PPS works just fine but have not compared it to anything. > So for me at least the $5 wonders will be fine. > Regards > Paul > WB8TSL > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] -- To unsubscribe send an > email to [email protected] > To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] -- To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
