Surgery on a GPS antenna

[dirkus]

Can anyone tell me if there is any reason that the wires of an external antenna couldn't be spliced together?

I need an antenna to use in our RV but I need a cable that is roughly 25 feet. The longest I can find is 16 feet. I was thinking about getting two of the Gilsson antennas, cutting off the connector end of one a couple of feet from the end and the antenna end of the other at the same length. If I then spliced them together I could have one antenna with a 28 foot cable for the RV and one with a 4 foot cable for the car.

Anyone know if the antennas would still work after the surgery?

TIA,
dirk

[thatlonghairguy]

I'm not a cable engineer, but I wonder if you could create an extension cable instead? A pair of male and female connectors and some cable might do the trick.

[coop]

Have you called Gilsson? They seem to be a small "customer centered" company. They might be able to make an extension cable or even whip up a special unit with a longer cable.

It might be a bit more expenseive, but much more likely to work than hacking one together yourself.

Nope, I'm not affiliated with them with them... just noted that they seem to respond well to sustomer requests and questions here on the board.

coop

[DeWat]

While this is not a direct answer to your question, have you tried using the Q without an external antenna yet? The only reason I ask is because I've frequently driven an Allegro Bus, and I used to use my old GPS V "standalone" sitting on the center console well below and behind the dash and windshield. I've never had a problem with satellite reception. Kinda made me think that at least that part of the roof may have been fiberglass instead of metal.

I also own a Town & Country van. While I was waiting for the auto nav kit to come out, I couldn't sit the Q in the dash, so I would lay it on the center console directly beside me. I would then sit the external antenna (8' of cable) in the dash where the Q would be meant to sit. This also worked well.

Just some ideas that **might** save you some $$$.

DeWat

[paul6347]

I too would suggest to call Gilson. I believe they could do custom length antenna wires. Can't be much more, mayby $2-3. Good company.

Paul

[Error94]

If for some reason Gilsson can't get you a longer cable, I know there are MCX extension cables out there. Garmin sells an 8-foot one, and I'm sure there must be other (less expensive) options as well. I just wonder what the effective length for a GPS antenna is.

[Toy Man]

Try http://www.gpscables.com/

[dirkus]

Thanks to all for the replies.

Yes, I had contacted Gilsson prior to this post and they said they would not be able to make anything custom and did not offer an extender cable.

I had thought about an extender cable but couldn't seem to find one anywhere. I'll check out the link suggested and look harder! I like that idea better than trying to hack something together myself.

I am wondering if there is a limit to the length since 16' seems to be pretty standard as the longest length anyone offers.

Our RV is what they call a Class-C which is the kind build on a van chassis with a sleeping area over the driving cab. I can't get any reception with the built in antenna anywhere in the cab.

dirk

[Error94]

Dirk,

I could not find any extension at www.gpscables.com, but search for "mcx extension" at shopping.yahoo.com and you will see the 8' Garmin from several vendors.

[dirkus]

Error94,

Thanks, I just got off the GPSCables site myself and also couldn't find any mention of the extenders. I sent support an email asking if they have anything that would work.

I also sent tech support at GPSCity (where I bought my iQue and who offers the extension that you mentioned) an email asking them if they know of any reason that the extension wouldn't work (too long, etc.).

Thanks again for the assist!!

dirk

[jonasolof]

You need a coax like RG 316 or RG174 AT or RG 188 with a mcx male at one end to plug into your ique and a mcx cable female (little bit more uncomon) at the other end to fit the male plug at the end of your existing antenna.

I had the same problem, only I needed a cable 3 inches long. One company said they would do it for me and wouldn't even bother to bill it.

mcx is a very common connector - but not in consumer goods. First find somebody making mcx connectors (GOOGLE). Ask them who buys the connectors to make cables. Find a company close to you. In CA it should be a piece of cake. One idea is to look for companies making external wifi antennas or cell phone antenna cables. Extension coax 10 feet long might be in stock somewhere (more google).

iQue works much better with an external antenna, regardless of what some people say. Preferably one made for 3 V and not for 5. Why do you need 25 fet of cable? Not that it is any of my business but it doesn't seemt that you have the optimal solution. There is always cable loss also. But then I don't know what RV means.

BTW forget surgery, mcx is tiny (I'm have some ear surgery training so I know how to operate under a microscope.) These connectors are crimped to the cable with an expensive tool (costs 160 USD here in Sweden). You can splice but will get an impedance mismatch on the cable. Better just use an extension.

It should take about 10 minutes to make your cable. Parts cost about 6-12 USD depending on local price level.

Good luck

Jonsa Lonnroth
belgium&sweden
ex radio amateur, now into GPS