Just wondering if anyone has fitted a GPS tracking device into their van.
in looking at them on eBay they all seem to need a external aerial for both the phone and the Gps.
so how do you managed this without it being obvious?
I have a pop top and am struggling to work out how to install. Any ideas would be appreciated.
cheers
Allen
Ondabeach said
09:39 AM Jun 20, 2015
Hi Allen, these GPS trackers are basically just a modified mobile phone, so as long as you position it within the van in a location where you can use your regular phone, it should work fine.
Here's one that doesn't have an external antenna, is delivered from Sydney and it's under $50:
Allen,
I understand that the cheaper trackers use the 2G network, so I would be looking at a Telstra Sim card say the one at $15 for 6 months with the best coverage. Also as a been there/done that to me any aerial is better than none, so in the worst case would be putting it underneath the van, if you cannot put the phone aerial behind say the gas bottle/spare tyre.
Units with a Geo Fence can call you or SMS when the van is moved out of say a 100m zone from where you last left it. And of course you have the facility to be able to call the unit and it will give you the Lat/Long of your van position. Probably its best to use SMS because to me this method can get thru in low signal areas when a voice call cannot.
Peter
Jetta7 said
06:23 PM Jun 20, 2015
Hi Steve, thanks for your information and the link, there are so many on eBay !!!
cheers
allen
Jetta7 said
06:28 PM Jun 20, 2015
Hi Peter, thanks for your information, hadn't thought about under the van , you have opened up some options for me , like the idea of geo fencing , will now think about some options of location
eric2011 said
09:41 AM Jun 21, 2015
PeterInSa wrote:
Allen, I understand that the cheaper trackers use the 2G network,
Peter
FWIW, I received notification from Telstra that a GSM phone system I have, and which uses the 2G network, will no longer be available sometime during 2016. Telstra will no longer use the 2G network
UPO said
09:43 PM Jun 21, 2015
Like the concept of the GPS tracker - however a few questions for those who know more than this bunny.
A: Presumably the GPS unit is on continuous charge from the van battery. The link given by Ondabeach notes 48 hour standby for that unit - so if the van battery was disconnected 3 - 5 days before the deed, then I assume the unit would not work due to flat battery - do any of these have a flat battery pending SMS warning ?
B: Having asked the above, I think I just realised the obvious solution is to have a smaller ( 7ah ?) on permanent charge but certainly not obviously connected to the van battery would then lengthen the dead battery event by quite a while - feasible ?
C: Yes plenty of space under the van but does the fairly beefy waterproof / crud proof protection required and the surrounding chassis have any / much effect re connectivity ?
D: Having a glass panel van would a small hollowed out cubby hold in a side panel be better than under the van ?
E: Probably the biggest issue is self inflicted - by talking about the hidden GPS that you have installed
Thanks
UPO - Richard
PeterInSa said
12:32 PM Jun 22, 2015
My 10 year old $950 unit does have the facility for low battery notification. Thought about using this facility to let me know when the van batteries are kaput as when batteries have problems charging further just creates heat and if the charger does not have a heat sensitive control that works a fire could result.
Do not think an under van aerial will cause to much of a problem with mud etc just less sensitivity to signals.
Re 2G terminitation, maybe better to get a low tech next G phone with aerial input as long as you load the necessary software for tracking.
Peter
Jetta7 said
07:22 PM Jun 23, 2015
Eric, thanks for the info re 2gsm
allen
normn said
02:27 PM Jun 26, 2015
Hi just a reminder that the Telstra 2 gsm Network will close in 2016 -17
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has fitted a GPS tracking device into their van.
in looking at them on eBay they all seem to need a external aerial for both the phone and the Gps.
so how do you managed this without it being obvious?
I have a pop top and am struggling to work out how to install. Any ideas would be appreciated.
cheers
Allen
Hi Allen, these GPS trackers are basically just a modified mobile phone, so as long as you position it within the van in a location where you can use your regular phone, it should work fine.
Here's one that doesn't have an external antenna, is delivered from Sydney and it's under $50:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RealTime-GPS-Tracker-GSM-GPRS-System-Vehicle-Car-Tracking-Device-Mini-Spy-TK102-/271473954097?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3f351bcd31
I understand that the cheaper trackers use the 2G network, so I would be looking at a Telstra Sim card say the one at $15 for 6 months with the best coverage. Also as a been there/done that to me any aerial is better than none, so in the worst case would be putting it underneath the van, if you cannot put the phone aerial behind say the gas bottle/spare tyre.
Units with a Geo Fence can call you or SMS when the van is moved out of say a 100m zone from where you last left it. And of course you have the facility to be able to call the unit and it will give you the Lat/Long of your van position. Probably its best to use SMS because to me this method can get thru in low signal areas when a voice call cannot.
Peter
Hi Steve, thanks for your information and the link, there are so many on eBay !!!
cheers
allen
Hi Peter, thanks for your information, hadn't thought about under the van , you have opened up some options for me , like the idea of geo fencing , will now think about some options of location
FWIW, I received notification from Telstra that a GSM phone system I have, and which uses the 2G network, will no longer be available sometime during 2016. Telstra will no longer use the 2G network
Like the concept of the GPS tracker - however a few questions for those who know more than this bunny.
A: Presumably the GPS unit is on continuous charge from the van battery. The link given by Ondabeach notes 48 hour standby for that unit - so if the van battery was disconnected 3 - 5 days before the deed, then I assume the unit would not work due to flat battery - do any of these have a flat battery pending SMS warning ?
B: Having asked the above, I think I just realised the obvious solution is to have a smaller ( 7ah ?) on permanent charge but certainly not obviously connected to the van battery would then lengthen the dead battery event by quite a while - feasible ?
C: Yes plenty of space under the van but does the fairly beefy waterproof / crud proof protection required and the surrounding chassis have any / much effect re connectivity ?
D: Having a glass panel van would a small hollowed out cubby hold in a side panel be better than under the van ?
E: Probably the biggest issue is self inflicted - by talking about the hidden GPS that you have installed
Thanks
UPO - Richard
Do not think an under van aerial will cause to much of a problem with mud etc just less sensitivity to signals.
Re 2G terminitation, maybe better to get a low tech next G phone with aerial input as long as you load the necessary software for tracking.
Peter
Eric, thanks for the info re 2gsm
allen
Hi just a reminder that the Telstra 2 gsm Network will close in 2016 -17
Norm