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LBOCEAN
USA
134 Posts |
 Posted - 06 févr. 2004 : 11:55:10
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With the exception of the connector and the end of the cable, does anyone know if you can use an alternate brand GPS External Antenna?
I've noticed some nice ones on other vehicles that are more aero dynamic, and, there color coded to the roof of the car.
I'd like to do something similar, but not certain about the receivers design/tuning to a specific product, that type of thing. |
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LBOCEAN
USA
134 Posts |
Posted - 06 févr. 2004 : 18:59:53
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*UPDATE*
I spoke with Magellan today they told me that the external antenna is an active antenna, but they didn't know if there was any specific matching to the Roadmate itself.
The other issue would be the connector at the end of the cable, which is an SMB type connector.
They suggested I search www.gpsoutfitters.com |
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gpspassion
93400 Posts |
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LBOCEAN
USA
134 Posts |
Posted - 06 févr. 2004 : 19:38:15
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* More Update *
I've been hot on the trail with this one. And a *BIG THANKS* to www.gpscity.com for taking the time to talk and provide this information.
As it turns out, Magellan (those sneaky guys) made the external antenna with alittle twist to it. The connector at the end of the cable IS NOT your standard SMB connector. Instead, it is a "Reversed" Male Connector.
So what that means is your stuck buying Magellans Ext. Antenna... Like it, or not. Unless of course you have a passion for proto-typing :)
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Edited by - LBOCEAN on 21 févr. 2004 10:45:06 |
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marex
Canada
20 Posts |
Posted - 22 févr. 2004 : 02:24:16
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Magellan External Antenna:
1. Is there a preferred location for placing the antenna?
2. How should the cable be routed?
3. How do you get from the outside to the inside of the car?
4. Can the 12 ft cable be shortened to suit the car OR does it have one of those permanent, molded connectors?
Tried the Magellan website but can't find any useful info.
marex |
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LBOCEAN
USA
134 Posts |
Posted - 23 févr. 2004 : 05:53:20
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quote:
Originally posted by marex
Magellan External Antenna:
1. Is there a preferred location for placing the antenna?
2. How should the cable be routed?
3. How do you get from the outside to the inside of the car?
4. Can the 12 ft cable be shortened to suit the car OR does it have one of those permanent, molded connectors?
Tried the Magellan website but can't find any useful info.
marex
A1. You can try using the antenna internally, on the front dash or back deck, to see if it helps improve overall signal strength. If it does, then routing the cable will be alittle bit easier. Otherwise, outside the vehicle, usually on the rear decklid or rear of the roof (upper edge of the rear window)
A2. When I've ever installed cables in vehicles, as a precautionary measure, I've kept cable bends no more than 120 degrees. Routing cables can be concealed through removing side panels and using "Carpet Cloth Tape" (found at most hardware stores) to secure along the route. Keep the cable free from areas with moving parts and were feet are likely to step, such as the top of the center hump. I'm certain the cable that comes with the antenna is shielded, but again, as precautionary, keep the routing of the cable away from power wires as much as possible.
A3. Custom installations such as these are best performed by someone with experience in removing windows or whom have installed exterior antenna's on vehicles. I personally have done both.
In one installation I had the rear window removed so I could cut a U-shape cutout from the back edge of the roof, using a dremel tool. Making a custom grommet and using weather sealant assisted in keeping the cable taught and away from being pinched by the window once reinstalled. The cable ran from the outside to the inner well side of the roof edge. Using carpet cloth tape kept it in place so as not to get pinched when re-installing the plastic molding. The window was then re-installed. The final installation showed less then a 1/4 inch of cable going into the weather strip. This paticular cable run came down the drivers rear roof support beam, along side the seats, around the foot well area (again using carpet cloth tape), and into the center console where the device was installed.
Another option is to drill through the roof. Problem being here is, to cut or not to cut the cable, then resplice it. There's also the issue of the hole itself, size to allow the connector (if kept on), weather sealing, cleanlyness of the installation, etc.
Securing the antenna to the top of the vehicle can be done using weather sealant.
A4. Cutting any cable connection will cause signal loss. Depending upon how good you are with a soldering iron and heat schrink tubing, etc. you could customize the lenght, but I wouldn't suggest it. You could coil the excess cable, somewhere along the run, again, keeping it out of the way from foot step or moving parts.
With a past installation of an "In Vehicle" cellular phone, I coiled the excess into a fabric bag, and tucked the excess inside the rear cavity well of the trunk. This however, was because the main brain was mounted there. Another location would be behind the passenger kick panel, as apposed to the driver side which usually has a fuse buss behind it and additional wire looming for other area's of the car, more so than the passenger side does. |
Edited by - LBOCEAN on 23 févr. 2004 06:27:12 |
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Brad Seaman
13 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2004 : 02:40:12
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I couldn't agree more (with your answers). However, if there are any folks here who are serious about extending the cable length of their antenna, you can use figures 3 and 4 shown in this link (the right angle jack in fig 4 which attaches to the RM is a bulkhead type, so it has approximately 3/16" of threaded length above the connector).
http://www.newark.com/product-details/text/CD121/8304.html
(They refer to these as "solder/crimp", which means both, and not either/or.)(The crimp would require a hex-crimp tool like a DMC HX4).
(Johnson also makes similar SMB connectors, and SMB to other-style adapters)
If you are going to splice the cable to add length, you should use a good-quality splice such as a Raychem SolderShield:
http://www.raychem.com/US/datasheets/1654025_Sec_8/8-60_8-63.pdf
... but you'll need the proper crimpers for the center conductor, and a heat gun. A properly installed splice is of negligible effect on the quality of the cable/signal, and would be preferable to making an extension cable.
Regarding alternate antennas, the amplifier voltage should be matched and the max gain should be no more than the receiver wants (i'm not sure right now what either of these values are for the Roadmate). I'm also not sure if you could use a passive antenna, or not. Lord knows, there are likely numerous antennas that would look better than that Andrew 19100 thing. But, I could never go back to the fold-down antenna - I was ready to send my RM700 back until I hooked up the external antenna. It was like night and day.
Cheers,
Brad
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slickersled
202 Posts |
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Brad Seaman
13 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2004 : 04:10:27
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That does sound like a dandy. I had seen one on eBay and was thinking about that for the second vehicle mount. For that price you can't go wrong, even if it's only just-as-good-as the magellan hockey puck-looking thing! They claim it to be better, and it apparently has 2db more gain.
Cheers,
Brad |
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silvabullet
41 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2004 : 08:23:29
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| Now this is good news. Kep us posted |
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LBOCEAN
USA
134 Posts |
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slickersled
202 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2004 : 21:59:29
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I just got back from Glisson which is 20 minutes from me to pick up an external antenna and the windshield mount. The antenna has the appropriate connector and just plugs into RM unit. The $5 suction mount has four cups so it is firmly attached to the windshield and the metal base on which the antenna rests also acts to enhance signal reception. The base can be adjusted to accomodate different windshield slants and the antenna can either be securely mounted on it via two screws or simply by its strongly magnetized back.
I had a chance to talk to the CEO who said that they also operated as GPSGeek.com, an online gps accessories retailer which has been around for a couple of years catering to Garmin users. Apparently, this is the first batch of antennas they've manufactured tailored to the unique Roadmate connector and their first shipment is almost sold out. The antenna has a one year warranty and the mount six months. The magnetized antenna back is really useful as it was simple enough to run the cable out through my sunroof and attach it to the car roof without dealing with the windshield mount. I was able to retain a blue WAAS lock even in the multi-tier parking area at the Target store I stopped by. Apparently all the antenna needs is some daylight at the sides of the parking structure to amplify and filter the signals from the WAAS birds which are low on the California horizon. |
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Brad Seaman
13 Posts |
Posted - 25 févr. 2004 : 00:16:33
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quote:
Originally posted by LBOCEAN
In regards to a right-angle connector, nothing available yet, but will let me know if and when.
This looks exactly like the one used on the Andrew antenna:
http://www.rfconnector.com/sblf11xx.htm
$6.27 ea
Cheers,
Brad |
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silvabullet
41 Posts |
Posted - 25 févr. 2004 : 23:34:11
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| I just got off the phone with Glisson and they are telling me they are sold out and will not have them for atleast another two months. You mentioned you were int hat area can you stop by the store and see if they have anymore left. |
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slickersled
202 Posts |
Posted - 26 févr. 2004 : 02:44:36
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| I talked to the CEO and unfortunately they're sold out. I think Magellan offers a $30 credit on accessories when a Roadmate is registered which can be applied to an external antenna from them. |
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gilsson
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 26 févr. 2004 : 22:39:46
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Dear LBOCEAN,
The Magellan RoadMate 500, 700 and Meridian Color GPS receivers use SMB(female) connectors. In addition to the connector itself, you also need to be mindful of whether the antenna can accept the voltage at the Magellan antenna port. Antennas are almost always optimized at a specific voltage, hence it best if one buys an active antenna that is optimized for a particular brand and model of GPS receiver, if at all possible.
We have just started shipping the new Magellan-compatible amplified GPS antenna for the RoadMate 500, 700 and Meridian Color GPS receivers for $29.95. It may be worthy of your consideration.
Kindest regards,
Ming Ho
ming@gilsson.com
quote:
Originally posted by LBOCEAN
*UPDATE*
I spoke with Magellan today they told me that the external antenna is an active antenna, but they didn't know if there was any specific matching to the Roadmate itself.
The other issue would be the connector at the end of the cable, which is an SMB type connector.
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Edited by - gilsson on 26 févr. 2004 22:46:01 |
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External GPS Receiver
