How to Improve a Magellan GPS Antenna

GPS unit inside of a vehicle

To accurately pinpoint your location using a GPS receiver, you need to be in the direct view of at least four GPS satellites. This should be an easy task, since the United States government operates and maintains a number of GPS satellites, making sure at least 24 satellites are available at any given time. However, interference can still come in a variety of ways. With commercially available GPS units such as the RoadMate and Maestro devices made by Magellan, you can do a lot to improve the reception of the GPS antenna.

Instructions

1. Check your battery life. In instances where GPS reception is an issue, the GPS unit will often attempt to boost power to the antennae in an attempt to gain a better signal. If you are in a situation where you can keep your GPS unit plugged in, do so.

2. Position your GPS antenna with a direct line of sight to the sky. For units with an internal antenna, this most often means on the windshield. Avoid keeping the GPS unit inside a case or other compartment when in use, as this will disrupt the signal from the GPS satellites.

3. Keep your GPS antenna away from other electronic devices -- particularly TV antennas, which can often interfere with GPS tracking ability. If you're experiencing any interference and your GPS unit is near other electronic devices, turn the other devices off to see if they affect the GPS reception.

4. Install the most recent software and firmware updates on your GPS unit. Many times, inaccurate positioning is the result of outdated GPS software. Magellan frequently publishes software and firmware updates to its units.

5. Allow the GPS unit to pinpoint your location before driving. While you typically need to be in the direct view of four GPS satellites to pinpoint your location, many GPS units can calculate your position without a direct view if they have other data to work from. The initial signal matters a lot since it configures the GPS antenna to receive the input from the satellite.

6. Install an external antenna. Magellan and other third-party vendors manufacture external antennas to be used with GPS units. Having the antenna outside the vehicle will greatly increase the unit's ability to receive a signal. When mounting an external antenna, mount it either on the roof or outside the windshield. Both of these areas on the vehicle will serve as a ground plane, or a surface that will help conduct the antenna's reception.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your state and local law enforcement before mounting items on your windshield.

References

• "Magellan RoadMate 2036, 2045, and 3045 GPS Receivers User Manual"; MiTAC International Corporation; 2009
• Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering: In Simple Terms, How Does GPS Work?
• Glisson Technologies: Frequently Asked Questions
• United States Coast Guard: GPS Receiver Interference from Active Television Antennas

Resources

• Magellan GPS
• GPS Magazine