Hacking GPS: External Antenna?

**dubwise** · 06-22-2004, 07:13 PM

I've got a Deluo USB style GPS (with built-in antenna). Since the case doesnt seem like it is going to withstand the elements for very long, I was wondering if anyone has soldiered an external GPS antenna to the GPS module.

Last time on was on the deluo site I could have sworn they had a model with an external antenna, but now I visit it and it seems to have disappeared. Anyways, has anyone attempted this?

**666** · 06-22-2004, 07:29 PM

open it up

**Grayscale** · 06-22-2004, 08:00 PM

mine has a solder point where i could easily add an external...but my question is...could it just be a long wire? or does it need to be of a certain length, wavelength, blah blah etc

**Pokey** · 06-22-2004, 08:23 PM

Solder something on it and let us know....

In reality, nothing should happen to a reciever when an unballanced attenna is used, its only damaging on a transmitter, where the power has to be radiated.

**b_nom** · 06-22-2004, 08:40 PM

I've got this Trimble GPS Antenna, it's a P/n 28367-00, I found something similar on Trimble's website, and supposeddly it's a 35dB gain 5v antenna . But I'm not able to test it with my Deluo mouse

, since my brother has it in his car and is not coming back to Houston till the end of summer

me-->

<--my brother

**b_nom** · 06-22-2004, 10:13 PM

I found this on deluo's website. what do ya'll think?

**Grayscale** · 06-23-2004, 09:39 AM

I'm more interested on the WiFi side of antenna boosting...but man those antennas are so expensive! Does anyone know if like a CB antenna would work? I know they have that wire wrapped in a coil around the main antenna so that might cause it to not pick up on the right frequencies, dunno...

**siberia37** · 06-23-2004, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Pokey

Solder something on it and let us know....

In reality, nothing should happen to a reciever when an unballanced attenna is used, its only damaging on a transmitter, where the power has to be radiated.

Not really true with GPS antenna's- some of the passive ones are DC shorts and can damage a receiver that expects an active GPS antenna. Best thing to do is find out what kind of antenna the unit uses currently and find one to match. My guess is it will be some kind of active 5v antenna- pretty standard.

**dubwise** · 06-23-2004, 04:55 PM

Thanks for the reply guys... I'm going to soldier a proper external antenna to the existing setup. I'll let everyone know the results, whether I blow it up or mod it proper.

**Pokey** · 06-24-2004, 08:54 AM

"Not really true with GPS antenna's- some of the passive ones are DC shorts and can damage a receiver that expects an active GPS antenna."

What??? enlight me....

.