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I think it would be good for everyone to contribute here and share what you have found interferes with your Garmin Signal. Keep in mind we are talking two different signals, GPS and VHF, it would be nice to identify which one you are talking about.
The reason we need to understand these things is so we can eliminate them and the Garmins work to their full potential.
I talk to people everyday that has an issue and Garmin Equipment gets the blame for it, when it is from outside interference or operator error and Garmin has nothing to do with it.
I will start off with some of the things I have seen effect the operation (range mainly) of the Garmin Astro Systems.

1. Most common is loss of vhf signal is due to mainly an antenna problem on the DC 30 or 40 dog collar. If the antenna itself is not breaking down the connection has some corrosion and should be the first thing checked and cleaned.
If its not the collar VHF Signal then it is the Handheld VHF antenna. Many cases it is a crack in the solder connection at the base of the sma connection inside the handheld. This is from over tightening the antenna. Snug is all you need.
Antenna problems usually show up at 200 yards or more. That is a key number to zero in on and identify antenna problems.
2. Many of the lights we use when coonhunting will have an effect on the Garmins. If your loosing your Garmin signal at 500-700 yards, click your light off and see what happens. This is generally 18 volt or higher lights with rheostat switch on the head.
3. Trucks and power cables. Mainly Deer, Yote and Bear Hunters see this. Many of the new trucks with wifi and blue tooth will have an effect on the range of your Garmin if you have a power cable hooked up. Many hunters have this happening and don't realize it.
4. Back to the trucks, if you have your handheld in the center of your truck by your console down low the signal will be affected. Some trucks have darker widow tinting towards the roof and if your antenna ends up there that can affect them also.
5. If you have a day the GPS signal is just awful, before you blame the garmin I suggest google SUN STORMS/SPOTS. There always seem to be one or two days a year this affects things.
6. Power lines and micro wave towers are a signal killer also.

Remember the first thing to do if you have a question mark is determine if it is GPS related or VHF related. Check the GPS signal on the handheld and check the flashing lights on the collar. Those lights and how they flash tell a lot when trouble shooting.

Now what have you seen interfere with your Garmin!!

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Registered: Mar 2004
Location: Bunn, NC (Near Raleigh)
Posts: 1584

1 - I have found that cheap LED flashlights can affect mine, not so much the signal but it will affect the compass. I discovered this when i was carrying a small LED flashlight in my overalls pocket and the map seemed off. I had to re-calibrate multiple times in one hunt. It happened again when taking a new person hunting and they were using a small handheld LED. I have not observed this condition when using or around nicer high quality LED lights.

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Registered: Jun 2012
Location: McRae Ar
Posts: 3701

Some of the LED lights use a PWM (pulse width modulation) to control the brightness. Your Garmin unlike you rf tracker has intelligence modulated onto the signal. The PWM interferes with this. Most of the ones with the problems are using some sort of a buck driver. Like Bruce mentioned the higher the voltage the more the problem. That’s because the more voltage being used the more that it has to "buck" or reduce the voltage the LED is requiring. Any process that produces a frequency close to the Garmin’s can interfere with it. Have you ever noticed it just doesn’t work in some areas? The utility and gas companies have devises sometimes in the ground that interfere with it also.

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Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Taylorsville, Ky
Posts: 213

Heavy snow seem to make mine loose signal. But this was to the point that I had to sit and get my barrings in woods that I grew up in. I couldn't hear or see anything got the garmin out and it wasn't working. Only happens once.

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: Western Pa
Posts: 3377

Thick woods make my signal weak here in PA. Step out to a pipeline or clearing and signal is good to go..

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: Western Pa
Posts: 3377

Also, I do not get enough range. My 320 gets about 1/4-1/2 mile less range than my 220... I DO NOT want to have to keep paying for all the bells and whistles so I can get a cpl extra hundred yards on top of the 600-700 I get on a regular basis. My dogs hunt out a mile. Even with extendable antenna, I rarely will consistently pick them up over 1/2 mile. My dc 30 gets about 300 more yards range than my 40. What again was the improvement? All I really notice is birds eye...

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PKC CH NITECH GRCH 'PR' COON BUSTIN' WHITE STUFF

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Registered: Oct 2011
Location:
Posts: 389

When I first got my 320 & dc40 it would loose signal quite often. Sometimes at 75 yards sometimes at 800 yards. I put the long range antennas on both collar & hand held and it does a lot better. Also another thing I do is once a month I take antennas off and spray contact cleaner where they attach then squirt electrical grease in all the fittings. Helps with corrosion and to keep dirt out. Next time I take the antennae off my collar I'm going to spray that anti-corrosion spray where you antennae connects to the actual collar. Going to use the spray that you use to spray the post on a car battery. I've also heard that by punching holes in the collar and re-attaching the unit where it sits on the side of the dogs neck instead of under their neck helps.

Question- Is there any way I can take and put all the property lines from my area on a map card? I have a plate book with all the local property lines just don't know how to get it on a map card that can be used in my garmin.

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Registered: Not Yet
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Mr. Clark let me comment on what your doing. It sounds great and that kind of stuff really helps out. One thing I many slightly disagree on and others can give their opinion is grease in the contact areas. I agree with cleaning the contact points. The putting the contacts points together with the screw. Then Lithium Grease or electrical grease can be applied over the area. I want metal to metal in the contacts areas and this may be what your saying and I just read it wrong. Anyway good tips!!

As far as property lines from one map to another I don't know a way. Someone else might. I hear Garmin is expanding their mapping to have these type of maps for the entire US. I think some are now available for limited areas.

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Registered: Oct 2011
Location:
Posts: 389

I'll have to check out garmins new maps. I know I check with a forresty supply company and they didn't have any sd cards with property lines.

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2713

The only interference I haven't been able to clear up with my Garmin is the GPS showing the wrong direction when riding an ATV or side by side.

With either of two different 220's and an Alpha I have to step about 5 feet away to get an accurate direction reading with the compass. Doesn't seem to matter if the engine is running or not.

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Registered: May 2013
Location: Eastern nc
Posts: 16

laural patches are a killer in western nc they are everywhere but as soon as the dogs get out of them its fine

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: michigan
Posts: 2573

quote:

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Originally posted by Virgil
The only interference I haven't been able to clear up with my Garmin is the GPS showing the wrong direction when riding an ATV or side by side.

With either of two different 220's and an Alpha I have to step about 5 feet away to get an accurate direction reading with the compass. Doesn't seem to matter if the engine is running or not.

---

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Registered: Mar 2004
Location: tioga co.pa
Posts: 1728

young..ifn my blues range a mile....i wouuld take all their collars off kick them in the A@% and tell em keep going

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