• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

ONSTAR CONVERSION?

S

shaneallen

GUEST
;)
Does anyone know of any ONSTAR conversion accessories or addon's? What I'm wanting to do is somehow tap into the ONSTAR system to accomplish the following: (1) use the ONSTAR cell phone antenna.
(2) use the ONSTAR microphone and speaker for use with a cell phone for hands free communication, (3) tap into the ONSTAR GPS module to feed a GARMIN GPS with information.

It seems to me that the ONSTAR system is ideal to support cell phone accessories w/o having to install another hands free system for my Nokia phone and removes the need to have another external antenna.

I do not want to disable the ONSTAR stuff, only add to the functionality. ONSTAR is a good service and reduces my insurance costs by more than it costs me to have it on a yearly basis. I do not want to pay the ONSTAR expensive charges for cell phone usage.

Certainly someone - somewhere - has already comeup with some aftermarket products to tap into the ONSTAR system - seeing that ONSTAR is already installed on a number of cars/trucks and it is not new. Come on, this is NOT an original idea.

THANKS..

shane_allen@yahoo.com
 
This would be a great mod. The gps and the phone system would be great, Surely someone has done this.
 
shaneallen said:
;)
Does anyone know of any ONSTAR conversion accessories or addon's? ?What I'm wanting to do is somehow tap into the ONSTAR system to accomplish the following: ?(1) use the ONSTAR cell phone antenna.
(2) use the ONSTAR microphone and speaker for use with a cell phone for hands free communication, (3) tap into the ONSTAR GPS module to feed a GARMIN GPS with information.
Click to expand...

Funny you should ask this... I have been discussing this very project via email with Jason Pendlum for a week or two. I have been suprised that more people didn't think of this, or want to do it.
I purchased the Nokia Car kit (CARK-91 US) for my Nokia 5160 phone. Jason sent me the wiring information for the back of our radio and I have been comparing the kit with the radio and compiling my last few questions for Jason.

1) I do know that the Onstar antenna will be of no use to the Nokia car kit. It will require a seperate antenna, but I am going to try the setup without one for awhile and see how well it works. The original phone gets great reception all over north Texas.

2) I'm finalizing the wiring details. I'll let you know what I come up with.

3) I can't answer this one.

I'm glad to know I'm not alone with this one. :cool:

helmet
 
The most important one to me (at this point) is accessing the GPS antenna. These aren't cheap, and considering I already have one in the truck, I'd love to be able to plug it into my PocketPC. It'd have to be NMEA (sp?) compliant though.
 
Fish, I have the same desire. Are you using a gps now. I have an ipaq and am looking at destinator to use. I want a gps that has a wired antenna so I can put it on the dash for better reception. I presently use delorme with a laptop, but this setup is too cumbersome, that is why I want something to use with my ipaq.
 
Thank you Shaneallen for the link.
I called Uhl, and we had a great conversation about this mod. They plan to have a release in April of this year for the GM Onstart system that will allow us to use the Onstar system with our Nokia cell phones for a handsfree setup. The only catch is that you will to buy the handsfree kit from Nokia to tap in with the Uhl product to use the system. I have asked them keep us in mind, should they need anyone to help test, etc. If I find out anything else between now and April, I will post it here.
 
;) ;) ;)

EMAIL FROM uhltronics@att.net
We are presently working on a solution for the GMC
products. This new product will be the Triad2 and
must have the capability of sending and receiving
various digital commands. The Triad2 protocol must
not in any way interfere with the complete functionality
of the on board OnStar system. Our present target date
for beta testing is in April. The new unit will still
require that a "hands free car kit", such as the Nokia
CARK-91US or other similar device be installed. We will
develop the installation instructions for the various
GM vehicles.Thanks for your interest in Triad Interface
System.
Regards
UHLTronics LLC
Sandra & Jim Uhl
 
The OnStar System has a Motorola Cellular Transceiver that is used (I used to work in the factory where they were made) for the communications with OnStar. I am not sure about an ESN situation when getting service, but it would seem that you could just use that with a handset. The Transceiver is the same type as the bag phone. We also manufactured them for other auto companies that used them for factory installed cellular phones.
 
I have a Nokia 7160 I would love to be able to hookup my cell ph. though the onstar system. ??? :eek: ;D :D :cool:

I am trying to find some one to hookup IPAQ. :cool: :cool:
 
The whole ESN thing is good for a lot of people, but what if you use a carrier with GSM technology (Voicestream, Cingular, ATT Wireless)?? The ESN thing does no good there....I think the product UHL is working on would be independant of what type of network you are on, and just uses the mic and speakers and possibly the antenna.
 
Anybody get an update from UHLtronics on the GM cell phone/OnStar solution? Last I saw here it was to be tested in April - any updates??

???
 
I received an email from Uhl last week and it looks like beta testing will be in June.

This message has been brought to you by Beta. ;D ;D ;D

helmet
 
I did some searching previously about tapping into the Onstar GPS. Everything that I have found has indicated that Onstar does not have a NMEA protocol and uses something proprietary. Bottom line....cannot use the GPS for a laptop or PocketPC.
 
Helmet....I got this reponse back from UHL...is this you?

--------------------------
From: uhltronics@att.net [mailto:uhltronics@att.net]
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 10:34 AM
To: Richard Vissers
Subject: Re: Triad2 testing

Richard:
Thank you for volunteering to do beta testing on the Triad2 prototype. We have
already shipped one unit for beta testing to an Avalanche owner in Dallas;
however, we will keep your name and number for future reference. Respectfully, UHLTronics, LLC Sandra and Jim Uhl
 
Indy said:
I did some searching previously about tapping into the Onstar GPS.
Click to expand...
I think we talked about this in another thread at one point, but there is a guy who has taken apart his onstar and wired in a connector so you can get RS-232 NMEA data from the box. The link is here.

I have not tried this (yet) so I don't know if we have the same Oncore chip in the AV but I would guess it is doable.
 
rvissers said:
Helmet....I got this reponse back from UHL...is this you?

--------------------------
From: uhltronics@att.net [mailto:uhltronics@att.net]
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 10:34 AM
To: Richard Vissers
Subject: Re: Triad2 testing

Richard:
Thank you for volunteering to do beta testing on the Triad2 prototype. ?We have
already shipped one unit for beta testing to an Avalanche owner in Dallas;
however, ?we will keep your name and number for future reference. Respectfully, UHLTronics, LLC Sandra and Jim Uhl
Click to expand...


Yes, that is me. >:D ?I have the unit, and Jim and I have been working through some details the last day or so. ?I will probably install it Saturday morning.
I have promised pictures and notes to Uhltronics, and with their permission, I will post them here too.
I have no idea what their production time frame is, but I can ask Jim what his plans are.

helmet
 
Helmet,

Any updates on this?....I just checked their website and it's pretty dead (no updates since March 10th). If you are under a NDA and can't talk about it I understand.....but would love to hear any tidbits you can provide.
 
Just looked at Helmet's account and he hasn't even logged in since Feb 28th, 2003, 5:14am so I am not sure if he's getting these....anybody know his email address or how to get a hold of him?
 
Just hope you don't have Onstar with the Sony chip.. i could not tap into it at all..
 
I ended up getting an email update back from them....this is what they said:
------------

Richard:
Thank you for your inquiry. We had two beta testers during the past couple of
months and have run into some programming problems. We received one Triad2
back and are personally conducting tests on it before sending back to the beta
tester. Learning through trial and error, it has been very difficult working
with beta testers "long" distance. We are also searching our surrounding area
(Albuquerque, NM) to find a volunteer beta tester.
At this point, we will not update the "Latest News" on the website, because we
still have a unit out being beta tested by another person.
Keep in touch.
Respectfully,
Sandra and Jim Uhl
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top