External GPS Antenna Question - Motorola Q Forum

MrClean · 03-27-2007, 11:28 PM

I purchased a BT-GPS receiver for my Q and also got an 'active external antenna'. The antenna is magnetic obviously, I was wondering if it could be placed under the hood (in the engine compartment) and still work properly. I wouldn't mind putting it on the roof of my truck but I'd rather have it in a place that's not out in the open. If it's under the hood it'll make it easier for me to route the cable to the interior of the vehicle.

Thanks in advance!

pyrobling · 03-28-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClean

I purchased a BT-GPS receiver for my Q and also got an 'active external antenna'. The antenna is magnetic obviously, I was wondering if it could be placed under the hood (in the engine compartment) and still work properly. I wouldn't mind putting it on the roof of my truck but I'd rather have it in a place that's not out in the open. If it's under the hood it'll make it easier for me to route the cable to the interior of the vehicle.

Thanks in advance!

I used to work at Car Toys. I would actually recommend NOT doing that. The antenna needs a clear signal of the sky without anything blocking the view for it to work properly and to get the reception from all the available satellites.

There are ways to install it on the exterior of the vehicle, most likely within 2-4 inches of the corner where the windshield and the driver door meets. Then you face the antenna towards the door where the weatherstripping is. This will only leave about 1/2-1 inch of antenna exposed. The cable can then be routed through the weatherstripping, down the doorjam, across the dash where the window meets to hide the cable. You can then either route it through the dash or have it sittings across on the center. Most installs done where through the dash, down under and would route into the center console depending on the length of cable.

-A

MrClean · 03-29-2007, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyrobling

I used to work at Car Toys. I would actually recommend NOT doing that. The antenna needs a clear signal of the sky without anything blocking the view for it to work properly and to get the reception from all the available satellites.

There are ways to install it on the exterior of the vehicle, most likely within 2-4 inches of the corner where the windshield and the driver door meets. Then you face the antenna towards the door where the weatherstripping is. This will only leave about 1/2-1 inch of antenna exposed. The cable can then be routed through the weatherstripping, down the doorjam, across the dash where the window meets to hide the cable. You can then either route it through the dash or have it sittings across on the center. Most installs done where through the dash, down under and would route into the center console depending on the length of cable.

-A

Thanks Adam, I used to do mobile electronic installations and when we did the GPS Nav systems they provided a metal plate to put the antenna on so it could be placed in the windsheild area. The instructions that came with this antenna said that it needed to be installed on a metal surface, which allows the antenna to turn your entire vehicle into a ground plane, which makes for better reception. I kinda figured it needed a 'view' of the sky, just hoping against hope that I could conceal it. I have an F150 (2000) with the suicide rear doors that I can run the antenna lead down through the weather stripping and into my center console where I'm going to put the receiver.

Newps · 04-03-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClean

Thanks Adam, I used to do mobile electronic installations and when we did the GPS Nav systems they provided a metal plate to put the antenna on so it could be placed in the windsheild area. The instructions that came with this antenna said that it needed to be installed on a metal surface, which allows the antenna to turn your entire vehicle into a ground plane, which makes for better reception. I kinda figured it needed a 'view' of the sky, just hoping against hope that I could conceal it. I have an F150 (2000) with the suicide rear doors that I can run the antenna lead down through the weather stripping and into my center console where I'm going to put the receiver.

Try the antenna at the most forward part of the windshield inside the car, up on the dash. It doesn't need to be sitting on metal, the wavelength at GPS frequencies is so small as to be irrelevant as far as ground planes go. The antenna probably has a foil backing that serves as the ground plane. I have several GPS's, none of which need to be on metal to work. My Garmin aviation unit works just fine well inside the car with its built in antenna. Accurate GPS nav is provided by 4 satellites, any more than that is irrelevant for auto navigation.

Stealth · 04-06-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newps

Try the antenna at the most forward part of the windshield inside the car, up on the dash. It doesn't need to be sitting on metal, the wavelength at GPS frequencies is so small as to be irrelevant as far as ground planes go. The antenna probably has a foil backing that serves as the ground plane. I have several GPS's, none of which need to be on metal to work. My Garmin aviation unit works just fine well inside the car with its built in antenna. Accurate GPS nav is provided by 4 satellites, any more than that is irrelevant for auto navigation.

I have the Holux 240 and I just put in in my shirt pocket and it works just fine once it has initially acquired the Sattelites.

MrClean · 04-06-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newps

Try the antenna at the most forward part of the windshield inside the car, up on the dash. It doesn't need to be sitting on metal, the wavelength at GPS frequencies is so small as to be irrelevant as far as ground planes go. The antenna probably has a foil backing that serves as the ground plane. I have several GPS's, none of which need to be on metal to work. My Garmin aviation unit works just fine well inside the car with its built in antenna. Accurate GPS nav is provided by 4 satellites, any more than that is irrelevant for auto navigation.

Thanks for the info Newps, I thought it would be fine in the windshield too and it does seem to work well. The instructions just said to put it on a metal surface and the antenna is magnetic which of course makes it easy to apply to the exterior of the vehicle. Honestly the receiver works pretty good without the antenna too, but it does seem to be a little more accurate when it's connected.

erussell · 04-10-2007, 12:21 PM

I have a Holux Slim BT GPS and have never had to use the external antenna. I just place it on the lower console of my car (1995 - MB E320), so it doesn't slide around.

Stealth · 04-10-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erussell

I have a Holux Slim BT GPS and have never had to use the external antenna. I just place it on the lower console of my car (1995 - MB E320), so it doesn't slide around.

Just curious... what software do you use?