Pico + GY-NEO6MV2 GPS Clock - 1U Mini Rack Faceplate

Inspired by Jeff Geerling’s video on the Pico GPS Clock, I decided to build my own version tailored for the "1U Mini Rack" system. This faceplate allows you to mount a GPS clock directly into your desktop rack setup.

While Jeff’s original project focused on the Waveshare L76K GNSS Module, I’ve adapted this build to use a standard GY-NEO6MV2 GPS module and a common 16x2 LCD screen (with I2C module) for a clean, readable display.

Support me by using my referral code on Prusa Website: @maxcou_485438

Hardware Required

To build this, you will need:

• Raspberry Pi Pico (or Pico W)

• GY-NEO6MV2 GPS Module (with external antenna)

• 16x2 LCD Display (with I2C Backpack/Interface)

• 1U Mini Rack system (This faceplate is designed to fit the standard 1U mini rack mounting holes)

• x12 M2 Screws for mounting internal electronics

• x4 M3 Screws for securing the case

Print Settings

• Material: PLA or PETG (I used PETG)

• Infill: 15-20%

• Supports: No support needed, already integrated into the model Front_1U_TimeGPS for Raspberry Pi Pico support (Need to be removed so that the micro-USB connector of the Pico can fit)

• Layer Height: 0.2mm

Setup & Code

I used the micropyGPS, RPI-PICO-I2C-LCD to handle the GPS NMEA data and the I2C display.

Note: Make sure your GPS antenna has a clear view of the sky or is placed near a window to get a satellite lock!

from machine import UART, Pin, I2C
from micropyGPS import MicropyGPS
from pico_i2c_lcd import I2cLcd
import time
--- 1. SETUP LCD (I2C1 for Pins 26/27) ---
i2c = I2C(1, sda=Pin(26), scl=Pin(27), freq=400000)
lcd = I2cLcd(i2c, 0x27, 2, 16)
--- 2. SETUP GPS ---
gps_uart = UART(0, baudrate=9600, tx=Pin(0), rx=Pin(1))
my_gps = MicropyGPS(location_formatting='dd')
--- 3. CONFIGURATION ---
TIMEZONE_OFFSET = -5 
had_fix = False
display_cycle = 0   # Which value to show (0-3)
loop_counter = 0    # Tracks how many 0.5s loops have passed
HOLD_TIME = 20       # 20 loops * 0.1s = 2 seconds per value
def get_local_datetime(gps_obj, offset):
    d = gps_obj.date
    t = gps_obj.timestamp
    try:
        utc_tuple = (2000 + d[2], d[1], d[0], int(t[0]), int(t[1]), int(t[2]), 0, 0)
        utc_seconds = time.mktime(utc_tuple)
        local_seconds = utc_seconds + (offset * 3600)
        return time.localtime(local_seconds)
    except:
        return None
print("System Starting... Searching for Satellites (NEO-6M)")
lcd.clear()
lcd.putstr("GPS Searching...")
while True:
    if gps_uart.any():
        raw_data = gps_uart.read()
        for b in raw_data:
            try:
                my_gps.update(chr(b))
            except:
                continue
if my_gps.fix_type < 3 and had_fix:
    print("\n[!] 3D Fix Lost.")
    lcd.clear()
    lcd.putstr("Fix Lost")
    had_fix = False
elif my_gps.fix_type == 3 and not had_fix:
    print("\n[OK] 3D Fix Acquired!")
    lcd.clear()
    had_fix = True

if my_gps.fix_type == 3:
    local = get_local_datetime(my_gps, TIMEZONE_OFFSET)
    
    if local:
        # Prepare Terminal Timestamp
        timestamp = "{:04}-{:02}-{:02} {:02}:{:02}:{:02}".format(
            local[0], local[1], local[2], local[3], local[4], local[5]
        )
        
        # --- LCD ROW 1: Constant Time ---
        lcd.move_to(0, 0)
        lcd.putstr("{:02}:{:02}:{:02}        ".format(local[3], local[4], local[5]))

        # --- LCD ROW 2: Managed Rotation ---
        # We only update the content of Row 2 if the HOLD_TIME is met
        if loop_counter == 0:
            lcd.move_to(0, 1)
            lcd.putstr("                ") # Clear row
            lcd.move_to(0, 1)
            
            if display_cycle == 0:
                lcd.putstr(f"Satellites: {my_gps.satellites_in_use}")
            elif display_cycle == 1:
                lcd.putstr(f"HDOP: {my_gps.hdop}")
            elif display_cycle == 2:
                lcd.putstr(f"VDOP: {my_gps.vdop}")
            elif display_cycle == 3:
                lcd.putstr(f"PDOP: {my_gps.pdop}")

        # Increment loop counter
        loop_counter += 1
        
        # If we reached the hold time, reset loop counter and move to next value
        if loop_counter >= HOLD_TIME:
            loop_counter = 0
            display_cycle = (display_cycle + 1) % 4

        # --- TERMINAL LOG (Updates every 0.5s) ---
        print(f"\rLocal Time: {timestamp} | Sats: {my_gps.satellites_in_use} | PDOP: {my_gps.pdop} | HDOP: {my_gps.hdop} | VDOP: {my_gps.vdop}   ", end='')
else:
    print(".", end='')
    lcd.move_to(0, 1)
    lcd.putstr(f"Sats Found: {my_gps.satellites_in_use} ")

time.sleep(0.1)</code></pre><p><strong>Support me by using my referral code on Prusa Website:</strong> <em>@maxcou_485438</em></p>