How to Use an External GPS Antenna

A GPS has an internal antenna built into it so that it can read satellite signals and translate them into the tracking data or maps you see on your screen. Reception can be compromised when using a GPS in closed-off locations, such as the woods, inside your house or in some cars. Use one of the several categories of external GPS antennae to improve reception.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• External antenna
• GPS
• Computer

Use an External GPS Antenna for Optimum Reception

1. Reseach your options and read user reviews before choosing an external antenna for your GPS. With many products available on the market, you want to rate the performances of items you are considering before purchasing expensive equipment.
2. Select a "passive antenna" when you can see the sky but your GPS receiver's view is somewhat impeded. A common example of this is when you are driving in the car. Sometimes the windshield can block signals from reaching the GPS, but placing a passive antenna on top of the car can help.
3. Use an "active external antenna" when you and your GPS are in a place that is closed off from the view of the sky, like a mountainous or wooded area. This antenna is similar to a passive antenna but requires an electrical power source.
4. Inter-connect an active and a passive antenna to create a "re-radial antenna". This option is used when the GPS needs an active antenna but does not have the required connector for an external antenna. The active component reads signals that are passed through to the passive component, which then amplifies the signals so they can be picked up by the GPS.
5. Install a "smart antenna" if you will be using the GPS to manipulate or store data on your computer. This type of external antenna functions as a GPS receiver without a screen and must be attached to a computer in order to read the data it receives.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your GPS manufacturer's website or user guide to learn which external antennae are compatible with your GPS model.
• A GPS receiver must have an unobstructed view of the sky in order to accurately read satellite signals. If you are in your house and your GPS is not working, try moving closer to a window.
• Be sure the voltage of your GPS receiver and external active antenna match. A higher-voltage antenna will not work with a lower-voltage GPS. A lower-voltage antenna will drain power from a higher-voltage GPS and can damage the receiver.

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