Quest and external antenna

[TangibleSolid]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if the external antenna for a quest (GA27 C) is powered ie requires 12 volt external power source or will it work when the quest is using internal battery power?

I ask because I want to use my quest away from the bike but on an external antenna if possible

Better to ask before I buy the antenna and find it's not suitable for my needs

Thanks
'solid

 

[RAM-man]

Interesting questions..

GPSW has an own brand external antenna, part number is ANT-76-MCX and is approx £25. The antenna has an MCX connector {techie bits are Current: 7mA, Gain: 28dB(typ) Cable: 5m} and is powered from the quest.

Did this recently on the SilentG mean machine (1100S) and improved his satellite signal reception - what surprised us more - the antenna was placed where the sun doesn't shine (under a rear cover) and it worked fine.

RAM-man

 

[TangibleSolid]

re external antenna

Thanks for your reply,

Sorry I don't understand the techy bit. Does this mean that this antenna will work on a quest without an external power source? (ie from the unit's own battery power)

If so where can one be purchased? (at that price it appears to be half what I would have to pay for a Garmin antenna)

Thanks
'solid

 

[RAM-man]

"GPSW has an own brand external antenna, part number is ANT-76-MCX and is approx £25".

Solid.. GPSW means GPS Warehouse .. look at www.gpsw.co.uk and using their search box type in the part; ANT-76-MCX

RAM-man

 

[CoolCarbon]

Solid,

Have a look here

This antenna doesn't need external power and will fit the Quest.

I bought one off this Chap for my SP III, he's good to deal with and a good price too...

CC

 

[Phil Thomas]

The External Antennae are phantom powered (ie up the feeder at about 3.5V) So you do not need any extra power source although whether it is practical to run it on it's internal I'm not too sure.

There are plenty of compatible antennae on e-bay for about 15 quid as I recall - certainly a lot cheaper than the genuine Garmin units.

Regards to all,

 

[SilentG]

What Ram Man said.

GPSW do two external antennae for the Quest, each of which is about £25. I went for the one with higher gain, the ant-76-mcx, which has the downside that it draws slightly more power (7mA) from the Quest. The extra power draw is not a big deal for me since my Quest is powered from the bike using the Garmin cradle, but might be a consideration if you run the Quest off its internal battery. The antenna plugs into the small coaxial socket on the rear of the quest under the rubber flap next to the USB port.

The difference it makes to satellite signal reception is huge. Since fitting it, I have not lost satellite reception on any occasion. Prior to that the reception was fairly ropey and did lead to several exciting journeys where I was riding without navigation for significant periods. I actually had my first Quest replaced because the internal antenna was so poor, but the replacement is not much better.

The antenna comes with 5m of cable, so it is no problem to fit it on your preferred location on the bike. On my R1100S, I run the cable from the handlebars, under the tank and seat to the pillion grab cut outs, then I velcro the receiver onto the pillion seat under the plastic pillion seat cover. Without the antenna, I can normally see about 4 or 5 satellites with 50% signal strength or greater. With the antenna connected to the Quest, I now see 5 or 6 satellites at more than 90% strength and another two or three at more than 50%.

HTH

Paul

 

[TangibleSolid]

Thanks for your replies.

Now I know what i want and where to get it .

Cheers
'solid

 

[swebb]

Positioning of External Antennae?

I've been considering an external antennae for my GS12/quest for a while now, and have seen various peoples posts suggesting that the external antennae can be located out of sight??

Is this completely true by design, or is this just "luck"?

I would consider mounting maybe under the front beak to keep out of view, but hopefully give good reception, can anyone tell me if this setup would be advisable, or am i best to place on top of said beak to get best reception possible?

thanks...

Stu.

 

[RAM-man]

Swebb,

.. to carry on from my prevous comment and the added notes from SilentG.

I can only reiterate, that when the ANT-76-MCX was connected to SilentG's 1100S and the antenna away from line of sight - it worked, this may be due to using the higher gain version, otherwise its a 'dunno' - it worked - fact !.

The next time a GS12 comes into GPSW I shall take a look or do some quick tests with both antennae if only to see if we can repeat it or if both work.

So to any GS12 riders calling in - remind me.

RAM-man

 

[SilentG]

The pillion cover on the R1100S is made of plastic, like the fairings, at about 3mm thick. This seems to cause no problems whatsoever to the external antenna. I originally thought about mounting the receiver on the telelever arm, or the front mudguard, but I thing the metalic yolk and petrol tank would inhibit the satellite reception. Since the accuracy of civilian GPS receivers is no better than about 5 metres, it really doesn't matter where on the bike you mount it, but I would try to avoid putting it in the shadow of metalic bits.

Someone once posted a picture of the antenna mounted on top of the beak on an R11XXGS, which apparently worked well. I'm sure if you could secure the antenna below the beak so that it is out of sight, it would probably still work as well. You might even get away with mounting it below the pillion seat on a GS (assuming you're not regularly carring a pillion, of course).

HTH

Paul