External GPS antennas

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The purpose of this page is to give an overview on using external GPS antennas.
 
The purpose of this page is to give an overview on using external GPS antennas.
  
The connector for both the Neo 1973 and the Neo FreeRunner is the same, MMCX, but  
+
The connector for both the Neo 1973 and the Neo FreeRunner is the same, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMCX MMCX], but  
 
the GPS chipset has been changed. Even though the antennas listed here will probably work on either Neo, they have been separated out according to what has actually been tested.
 
the GPS chipset has been changed. Even though the antennas listed here will probably work on either Neo, they have been separated out according to what has actually been tested.
  
TTFF (Time To First Fix) and number of satellites locked in will vary greatly depending on the current conditions (the constellation of the satellites, terrain and buildings, and weather). To do a serious comparison test we would need to test all the antennas at the same time under known conditions. Currently this page will just tell you some antennas that have been found to function with the Neo FreeRunner and Neo 1973.  
+
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_to_first_fix TTFF (Time To First Fix)] and number of satellites locked in will vary greatly depending on the current conditions (the constellation of the satellites, terrain and buildings, and weather). To do a serious comparison test we would need to test all the antennas at the same time under known conditions. Currently this page will just tell you some antennas that have been found to function with the Neo FreeRunner and Neo 1973.  
  
 
== Neo FreeRunner ==
 
== Neo FreeRunner ==
 +
 +
=== Hama MMCX GPS-Antenne 5m ===
 +
 +
€ 21.95 at [http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B000OUYT1M amazon.de]
 +
* 5 m connections cable with MMCX plug
 +
* mounting: magnetic base
 +
* water resistant
 +
Tested with [[TangoGPS]] and got TTFF in about a minute with very cloudy sky/rain, at the moment 10 sats.
 +
 +
=== Hama MMCX GPS-Antenne 2m 90°===
 +
€ 19.95 at [http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B000OUYTLW amazon.de]
 +
* 2 m connections cable with 90° MMCX plug
 +
* mounting: magnetic base
 +
* water resistant
 +
Tested with [[TangoGPS]] and got TTFF in about a minute with very cloudy sky/rain, at the moment 10 sats.
  
 
=== Arkon External GPS Antenna with MMCX connector ===
 
=== Arkon External GPS Antenna with MMCX connector ===
Line 12: Line 27:
 
$12,50 at [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F1WNAO amazon.com]
 
$12,50 at [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F1WNAO amazon.com]
 
The Amazon link will suggest other similar products.
 
The Amazon link will suggest other similar products.
There are no clear specs, tested in the FR with tangoGPS and got TTFF in few seconds with a clear sky, picks 10 sats.
+
There are no clear specs, tested in the FR with [[TangoGPS]] and got TTFF in few seconds with a clear sky, picks 10 sats.
  
 
=== Haicom GPS-AHI-101 ===
 
=== Haicom GPS-AHI-101 ===
Line 23: Line 38:
  
 
A brief test (hanging the antenna out of the window in my apartment) show that it works quite well. TTFF in 216 seconds, 6 satellites in view.
 
A brief test (hanging the antenna out of the window in my apartment) show that it works quite well. TTFF in 216 seconds, 6 satellites in view.
Note: I used my [[Neo FreeRunner|FreeRunner]] to do the test, I haven't tested the antenna with my [[Neo 1973]] yet.
 
  
 
=== Semsons external antenna ===
 
=== Semsons external antenna ===
Line 29: Line 43:
 
No brand name. [http://www.semsons.com/gps90deexboa.html Item #GPS-ANT-MMCX(90)]
 
No brand name. [http://www.semsons.com/gps90deexboa.html Item #GPS-ANT-MMCX(90)]
 
Tested briefly outdoors, seems to work fine. (Will do more testing later.)
 
Tested briefly outdoors, seems to work fine. (Will do more testing later.)
"On sale" for $10,99 + $5 shipping. Purchased on 23 Jul 08
+
Purchased on 23 Jul 08 for $10,99 + $5 shipping.
  
* External Active Antenna for GPS
 
* Allows more flexible antenna placement for better reception
 
 
* 90 degrees MMCX connector
 
* 90 degrees MMCX connector
 
* Magnetic base and water resistant
 
* Magnetic base and water resistant
 +
 +
The 90 degree connector is very handy, the wire does not stick straight out the side of the FR so it's easier to hold in your hand with the cable attached.
 +
 +
=== GlobalSat GPS-108 ===
 +
 +
* MMCX
 +
* magnetic base
 +
* 14,90 EUR in finnish verkkokauppa.com
 +
* SNR went from 36 to 41 in xgps when antenna was plugged in
 +
* current_now went from 123 mA to 146 mA (+23 mA) when antenna was plugged in
  
 
== Neo 1973 ==
 
== Neo 1973 ==

Latest revision as of 16:45, 23 May 2009

The purpose of this page is to give an overview on using external GPS antennas.

The connector for both the Neo 1973 and the Neo FreeRunner is the same, MMCX, but the GPS chipset has been changed. Even though the antennas listed here will probably work on either Neo, they have been separated out according to what has actually been tested.

TTFF (Time To First Fix) and number of satellites locked in will vary greatly depending on the current conditions (the constellation of the satellites, terrain and buildings, and weather). To do a serious comparison test we would need to test all the antennas at the same time under known conditions. Currently this page will just tell you some antennas that have been found to function with the Neo FreeRunner and Neo 1973.

Contents

[edit] Neo FreeRunner

[edit] Hama MMCX GPS-Antenne 5m

€ 21.95 at amazon.de

  • 5 m connections cable with MMCX plug
  • mounting: magnetic base
  • water resistant

Tested with TangoGPS and got TTFF in about a minute with very cloudy sky/rain, at the moment 10 sats.

[edit] Hama MMCX GPS-Antenne 2m 90°

€ 19.95 at amazon.de

  • 2 m connections cable with 90° MMCX plug
  • mounting: magnetic base
  • water resistant

Tested with TangoGPS and got TTFF in about a minute with very cloudy sky/rain, at the moment 10 sats.

[edit] Arkon External GPS Antenna with MMCX connector

$12,50 at amazon.com The Amazon link will suggest other similar products. There are no clear specs, tested in the FR with TangoGPS and got TTFF in few seconds with a clear sky, picks 10 sats.

[edit] Haicom GPS-AHI-101

The Haicom GPS-AHI-101 have these specifications:

  • dimensions: 50 x 50 x 17 mm
  • 5 m connection cable with MMCX plug
  • mounting: magnetic base
  • Power handling: 1 Watt

A brief test (hanging the antenna out of the window in my apartment) show that it works quite well. TTFF in 216 seconds, 6 satellites in view.

[edit] Semsons external antenna

No brand name. Item #GPS-ANT-MMCX(90) Tested briefly outdoors, seems to work fine. (Will do more testing later.) Purchased on 23 Jul 08 for $10,99 + $5 shipping.

  • 90 degrees MMCX connector
  • Magnetic base and water resistant

The 90 degree connector is very handy, the wire does not stick straight out the side of the FR so it's easier to hold in your hand with the cable attached.

[edit] GlobalSat GPS-108

  • MMCX
  • magnetic base
  • 14,90 EUR in finnish verkkokauppa.com
  • SNR went from 36 to 41 in xgps when antenna was plugged in
  • current_now went from 123 mA to 146 mA (+23 mA) when antenna was plugged in

[edit] Neo 1973

[edit] Navilock NL-65AT MMCX

The Navilock NL-65AT MMCX is an active GPS antenna from the company Navilock. According to the manufacturer it has following specifications:

  • dimensions 40,5 x 38,0 x 12,3 mm
  • 2m connection cable with MMCX plug
  • power consumption:
    • with 3V 12mA
    • with 5V 18mA

The antenna was only tested briefly, the input signal increased by a factor of 4 in a car.

Personal tools

The purpose of this page is to give an overview on using external GPS antennas.

The connector for both the Neo 1973 and the Neo FreeRunner is the same, MMCX, but the GPS chipset has been changed. Even though the antennas listed here will probably work on either Neo, they have been separated out according to what has actually been tested.

TTFF (Time To First Fix) and number of satellites locked in will vary greatly depending on the current conditions (the constellation of the satellites, terrain and buildings, and weather). To do a serious comparison test we would need to test all the antennas at the same time under known conditions. Currently this page will just tell you some antennas that have been found to function with the Neo FreeRunner and Neo 1973.

Neo FreeRunner

Arkon External GPS Antenna with MMCX connector

$12,50 at amazon.com The Amazon link will suggest other similar products. There are no clear specs, tested in the FR with tangoGPS and got TTFF in few seconds with a clear sky, picks 10 sats.

Haicom GPS-AHI-101

The Haicom GPS-AHI-101 have these specifications:

  • dimensions: 50 x 50 x 17 mm
  • 5 m connection cable with MMCX plug
  • mounting: magnetic base
  • Power handling: 1 Watt

A brief test (hanging the antenna out of the window in my apartment) show that it works quite well. TTFF in 216 seconds, 6 satellites in view. Note: I used my FreeRunner to do the test, I haven't tested the antenna with my Neo 1973 yet.

Semsons external antenna

No brand name. Item #GPS-ANT-MMCX(90) Tested briefly outdoors, seems to work fine. (Will do more testing later.) "On sale" for $10,99 + $5 shipping. Purchased on 23 Jul 08

  • External Active Antenna for GPS
  • Allows more flexible antenna placement for better reception
  • 90 degrees MMCX connector
  • Magnetic base and water resistant

Neo 1973

Navilock NL-65AT MMCX

The Navilock NL-65AT MMCX is an active GPS antenna from the company Navilock. According to the manufacturer it has following specifications:

  • dimensions 40,5 x 38,0 x 12,3 mm
  • 2m connection cable with MMCX plug
  • power consumption:
    • with 3V 12mA
    • with 5V 18mA

The antenna was only tested briefly, the input signal increased by a factor of 4 in a car.