An odd question...
 

If there happens to be a similar thread, feel free to point the way to it. That being said...

I admit, I haven't yet personally bought an n810. To be sure, I am interested, though I have a few concerns and conditions before I make an investment into them.

Where I personally work and live, there are life support machines nearby that are...rather sensitive to GPS-using devices. This is part of the reason there are legally no phones allowed to be activated within something a little under 1/4 mile distance from this location. Phones are likewise a concern. The problem is that I need a portable phone. Now, something like the n810 seems like the perfect phone for what I need, especially considering there's a wireless broadband connection in the area that will support the Skype function (Why this doesn't affect the machines, I don't know, and I'm not inclined to question serendipity).

And so, my real question is: How is it possible to completely deactivate the GPS on a n810 without affecting the phone's functions? This would be up to and including physically removing the chip from the phone, which is my honest preference. And no, I'm honestly not concerned about the warranty.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Re: An odd question...
 

In that case you might look into getting an N800 since it doesn't have the GPS built in ... Short of; like you said; tearing the tablet apart (which I'll admit I have zero knowledge on the hardware/makeup of this tablet).. you could code the OS to not initialize the gps daemons when the device boots up.. going so far as to remove the GPS software installed on the tablet.

If the antenna is never turned on I don't think it will try to transmit/receive anything; but I have not done any kind of signal testing to that effect.

Re: An odd question...
 

How in the world does a receive-only GPS chip affect anything around it?

Re: An odd question...
 

Well... I've heard those arguments before - especially from people who work around/on airplanes... the electronic equipment is so sensitive that it can have an affect... Though I have no idea if it's fact or an urban legend.. it does seem something that is 'receive' only would only affect itself.. since that would imply the traffic you are grabbing is already around you.. :shrug:

Re: An odd question...
 

Go to "Control panel > GPS location" and uncheck "Enable GPS".

Re: An odd question...
 

unless u open the maps app the gps will not be active.

Re: An odd question...
 

As to how it can happen, only the simplest radios can operate with just a passive tuner; anything like GPS has to generate a reference frequency, and some portion of that will be emitted.

As for the 400-yard limit, it seems excessive to me, but I suppose I don't have any data on the equipment in question

Re: An odd question...
 

if i were you i'd probably go in for the n800, but i'd also wait since the n800 is pretty old it self and a new tablet might be coming out

Re: An odd question...
 

I'd remove gpsdriver, gpsd & map. As for opening the N810, lets just say that Nokia has a few documents...

Re: An odd question...
 

Strange that any GPS chipset causes problems due to leaking emf, while wifi/bt are ok.

I'd have thought you'll have the same problems just from the N8x0 itself leaking a bit of emf (or any other electronic device for that matter).

Re: An odd question...
 

Seriously, if there is a concern of a leaky LO in a GPS chipset, then there should be a concern with any computer/electrical device. I'm pretty sure that the computer/tablet clock frequency or some harmonic thereof is likely radiating as well.

Re: An odd question...
 

link and link for more gps info

Re: An odd question...
 

It's probable the people making the policy have no clue either.
At any rate, I agree with jellotherat, you can disable them in control panel. Now, I'm not an insider with all the tech details to know how complete this is.
I would also suggest the N800, but I had just lost mine and was looking for a new one.... they arn't available in the brick and mortar stores or thier online counterparts anymore. You'd have to get it Ebay or, I found one in the Buy and Sell forum.

Re: An odd question...
 

Do you mean GSM instead of GPS? Usually GSM radio is not allowed within certain distances around sensitive devices. It is almost impossible for a GPS device to disturb such electronic devices.

Re: An odd question...
 

I have read all of the previous replies, and do appreciate the contributions. Regarding the software disabling, that is a good start, I agree. Though I would honestly say it is not enough.

This is, generally, my concern. The fact that there will be a frequency emitted both actively and passively.

As far as the equipment, they were rather tight-lipped about it. However, I was able to wrestle out the general impression that the life support devices are given "instructions" on a wavelength/frequency close enough to the GPS (How, I don't want to know) that they don't want anything near them. They're apparently in the process of replacing it as quickly as possible, but in the meantime, I am without a proper phone.

I attempted to inquire about that as well. It looks like the system is on a wireless network, just a different frequency. They apparently had a device that was able to convert the broadcast the standard "Wifi" frequencies instead of the GPS types. The problem is that the security for the "Wifi" network is rather weak. Which could very easily put lives in jeapordy if someone with the right software managed to get in.

I can understand where you get the line of thought, but no. I specifically meant GPS. I am aware that the cellular network, and that is something I want to avoid as well, but no, that is not what I was referring to.

And it is that "almost" that makes all the difference.


Again, all of your contributions have been appreciated. Though I will be honest, my direct preference is being able to open the n810, remove the GPS and, if and/or when the time requires it, be able to put it back in.

Your thoughts?

Re: An odd question...
 

Unfortunately it's not as simple as just desoldering and removing the GPS chip, unless you want an expensive paperweight. Short of being an electrical design engineer and having the complete design schematics of the device, it can't be done. The various functions and systems on modern devices like the N810 are so intertwined that removing one system would likely cripple or completely destroy other critical systems.

Unless the keyboard and transflective screen are that absolutely important to you, it sounds like you'd be much better off buying an N800. It has it's perks anyway, like having 2 full-size SD card slots and the FM radio.

Re: An odd question...
 

Get an N800. . . . :rolleyes:

Re: An odd question...
 

I suspected as much, though I wanted to check the possibilities of an alternative. Again, I appreciate the effort.