External antennafor Garmin 2610

[BurnieM]

I have a MK-76 mini antenna and it made a big difference (faster acquisition and less dropouts) with my GPSmap 176.
However, my GPSmap 276C works fine with just the standard antenna both in the car and on the bike without any of the problems some others are experiencing.

Note that my MK-76 has a magnetic base and works very well on a metal surface but performs poorly (worse than standard) if you place it on a non-metallic surface.

 

[MikeO]

If you want a really neat and tidy installation, take your antenna to any aircraft avionics shop, and they will be able to shorten the cable to a length that is appropriate for your bike. I had mine cut down to about one foot in length. This requires fitment of a new MCX connector, which requires very specialized tools and a skilled technician. Expect to pay about USD 30 for this work.

Pan, thanks for the, as usual, breathtakingly detailed input .

If I get the above work done on mine (I've just ordered the antenna you recommended), is it possible to get a straight, rather than a 90º plug put on the end, to avoid the problems you mention?

Mike

 

[PanEuropean]

Whatton's photos are an excellent example of a very good choice of location for the antenna. Because it is flat, the antenna won't really be bothered much by the motorcycle blocking about 120° of azimuth behind it.

I suggest you not mount it underneath any kind of covering. In aviation applications, we are forbidden to even paint any kind of external antenna, including GPS antennas. This prohibition is usually silk-screened right on the side of the antenna.

Mike O: I asked the avionics shop to look for a 'straight' (non 90° angle) MCX connector, and they couldn't find one. I couldn't find one doing an internet search either. Seems the design goal of the MCX connector is minimum space, so almost everyone makes them in 90° angle format. Downunder's mention of the Gilsson antenna with the moulded straight connector is the first I have heard of one like that.

PanEuropean

 

[meyerweb]

Thanks to one and all for the great information. I DID know the 2610 used an MCX connector, and I do know what a BNC connector is. I just didn't know precisely how an MCX connector worked.

As I do have problems picking up tiny objects :-( , I think I'll acquire the Gilson.

Interesting thought: Would mounting the antenna directly on top of the 2610 cause any issues? That's pretty much the highest level spot on my moto, other than the top of my helmet. And when I move the GPSR to a car, I could just move the antenna right along with it.

Bob

 

[DOWNUNDER]

MCX straight plugs are available.

I am a pilot and also an electronic technician so I have been able to obtain the crimping tool in Hong Kong and the cable and plugs/sockets from an Australian supplier. The crimping tools are prohibitive in Australia.
I make my own cables. It is fairly delicate work though and would not advise it unless you have significant electronic experience.

One simple way is to:
1 Have an adaptor with a straight MCX plug (which plugs into the GPS)
2 Plus some length of cable (Minimum of about 6 inches/15 cm)
3 An MCX socket that you plug your right angle GPS antenna into.

PLUGS:
http://www.rfshop.com.au/page20.htm

cable:
http://www.rfshop.com.au/page5.htm
There are two types of cable RG174 (the standard black cable) and RG316 which is a lot tougher.

The plugs/sockets are made by:

http://www.jyebao.com.tw/MCX.htm

Distributors:

http://www.jyebao.com.tw/contact us.htm

Phone the distributors and ask them who sells their plugs.
As you can see there are distributors all over the World.

A US distributor:
http://www.smelectronics.us/mcx,_mmcx.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[PanEuropean]

Bob:

For panel-mount aviation GPSRs, which have the antennas located on the top of the fuselage, there is a prohibition against mounting GPS antennas within 3 feet of each other.

I don't know how well the SP 26xx case is shielded against RF emissions that might have a bad effect on an antenna mounted less than a ¼ inch above the guts of the GPSR. I'm sure the GPSR complies with emission specs, but I doubt those specs are so tight that they require no emissions within ¼ of an inch of the case.

My opinion: Mount it at least 6 inches away from the GPSR. Besides, when you use the external antenna in the car, you want it as far forward on the dashboard as you can put it, so that you minimize the blocking effect of the roof of the car and the A pillars on the car. Mounting the external antenna on top of the GPSR itself won't allow you to achieve that objective in the car.

PanEuropean

 

[MiGSel]

Externa antenna mounting

As I didn't find a clear and straight answer anywhere, I did some testing tonight.

* [INT] internal antenna patch only
* [ON] external antenna on top of the beak
* [UNDER] ext. ant. under the beak
* [TOP] ext. ant. on top box

Put camera on tripod and with interval setting: one pic every minute.

Here are the results:

1) The external antenna clearly gives me more satellites and stronger signals.

2) On or under the beak doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

3) On the top box seems weaker than under the beak.


So in the garage I went and made me a bracket to fix the antenna under the beak. Looks like this:

I'm happy with the result.

I'll report back with satellite experience in the Black Forest, by the end of September.

Cheers,
Michel

 

[PanEuropean]

An excellent test, thanks a lot for running it. When you did the test with the antenna on the top box, did you sit on the motorcycle in the normal rider position? If not, the results would have probably been even worse, with the rider on the seat, because the rider's body blocks satellite signals.

When you make the bracket to hold the antenna under the beak, try not to run any metal up the sides of the antenna - this will block the antenna's view of the horizon on either side of the motorcycle. See if you can keep your mounting plate flat, to enable the vertical sides of the antenna to "see" the horizon. You'll get even better results that way. By example, I think you will get degradation of the signals from PRN 24 and 26 (low on the horizon on the right side in your pictures) if you have the metal bracket running flush up the sides of the antenna when you mount it under the beak. (Obviously, these numbers will change as the satellites move around - the reference to 24 and 26 only applies to the photos above)

Do you know what the beak material is made out of? Is it ABS plastic or PVC?

PanEuropean

 

[Greg Masters]

MiGSel/Pan

This is very interesting - keep going!

Greg

 

[meyerweb]

Thanks to all, especially Pan European. My 2610 is also on an ST1100, so I guess I'll mount the external antenna on my master cylinder, unless you've found a better place.

Thanks again,

Bob

 

[MiGSel]

This is the antenna:

10052-05 GA 27C low profile remote automobile antenna

It wasn't mounted inside the topbox, just put on top of my Touratech Zega XL box. I wonder whether the funny result could be because of the flat aluminium surface under the antenna?

And no, I wasn't sitting on the bike. I was sitting in a comfy chair, lower than the top of the box

The bike was standing with the beak pointing south, so the sides of the bracket couldn't be blocking sat. 26. The house on the other hand... And sat. 24 on the east horizon is visible on the "all done" pic, which is with the antenna in the bracket, so with the side of the bracket east of the antenna.

I suppose the actual sensors inside the antenna "box" are not competely on the side of it, but more in the center. So a bit of metal on the sides won't be blocking too much of its sight.

I don't have a clue what the beak material is.

Cheers,
Michel

 

[MikeO]

Not being a metalworking wizard, like Michel, I looked for a 'pennytech' alternative when my antenna arrived the other day.

I checked under the Adv's beak-cover, and found that there was sufficient clearance to mount it between the top of the beak and the underside of the cover...

...so I secured it there with a piece of industrial strength Velcro. I bolted the cover back on, routed the cable up behind the silver 'undershield' and...

...plugged it into the back of the GPS. The cable tie (which I've since cut down to half the pictured length), was attached by the guy who soldered the MCX right angle plug (couldn't source a straight one in the required timescale). It allows me to pull the plug out without putting any stress on the co-ax connector.

If you look carefully here...

...you can see how I routed the cable...

Mike

 

[PanEuropean]

Mike O:

Nice install. That's exactly the same antenna I have, and I have been very happy with it.

BTW, are those PIAA 910's you have installed as auxiliary lights?

PanEuropean

 

[MikeO]

Mike O:

Nice install. That's exactly the same antenna I have, and I have been very happy with it.

BTW, are those PIAA 910's you have installed as auxiliary lights?

PanEuropean

Yes, 910 fogs, which come on with dipped beam, and 1200 spots which come on with main...

Mike

 

[MiGSel]

Great solution Mike! I never thought of looking under there.

Wouldn't be so great for me anyway, because I want to use the antenna in the car too. Where it's mounted now, I just need to cut a few cables ties to take it off.

But for bike-only use it's perfect!

What's the story behind your bike taking a rest there?

 

[MikeO]

What's the story behind your bike taking a rest there?

See the latest journal entry...

Mike

 

[sixfootandstocky]

I have just read an article in a magazine that said certain car windscreens prevent radio waves, mobile telephones and GPS signals from passing through them effectively. I believe these are known as "heat reflecting windscreens" by some manufacturers and are normally supplied when air conditioning is provided.

I suggest that this is why my BMUU Nav 2 keeps losing satellite reception, even though it is right up front, at the base of the windscreen.

P.S. was anyone else surprised/annoyed by the fact that they had to buy a separate vehicle power lead with speaker built-in, to enable them to hear voice prompts in the car?

Bonjour.

 

[PanEuropean]

It is possible that your automobile has what is referred to as a 'metallized' windshield, which does indeed obstruct the signals from the GPS satellites.

The easiest way to confirm this is to visit the website of a toll highway in your country that uses transponder technology to automatically record the passage of the cars and collect the tolls. These metallized windshields also interfere with signals going to and from the transponder inside the car. The toll highway people usually maintain a list, on their website, of which make and model of cars have the problem windshields.

It is also possible that you have the WAAS (SBAS) feature of your GPSR turned on. If this is the case, turn it off, and you will encounter fewer 'lost satellite reception' messages.

Regardless of whether or not you have a metallized windshield, you will find that your GPSR performs much better if you attach an external antenna to it, even if the external antenna is just positioned on the dashboard a few cm ahead of the GPSR. This is less necessary on a motorcycle, where the built-in antenna has a much better view of the whole sky, however, you will notice an improvement if you use an external antenna on your motorcycle as well.

PanEuropean

 

[sixfootandstocky]

Many thanks,

WAAS - off.

Mine has this type of windscreen or "pare-brise athermique" which is supplied with a/c.

The article did specifically refer to the "Telepeage" transponder, used on toll roads here. Interestingly it said stick your Equipment under the back windscreen or behind the rear-view mirror.

Behind the mirror on many cars, mine included, is an area of black dots or other shading, specifically designed to let signals pass through.
As it isn't level it may be difficult to use this area for GPS.

Would "heated windscreens" also affect GPS performance?

I suppose that the bottom line is to fit an external antenna.

Bonjour.

 

[AndyB]

Low Profile GPS Antenna

Just got a low profile anntena from the GPS warehouse £24.99 - part No. ANT-19-MCX. Certainly improves the number and strenght of signals. Only downside I can see is the length of cable it comes with. Am going to look into getting a crimp and plug, then shortening the cable. Will let you know what the cost is if you are interested, might be able to set up shortening cables for people.