Volvo XC90 antenna module for GPS?

underdog · 04-18-2006, 01:56 AM

My Volvo XC90 did not come with the navigation system, but I'm looking at installing a CarPC. Can I use the built in antenna module to connect to a GPS (perhaps GPSlim 236)?

http://www.i-car.com/html_pages/abou...05/111405.html

Scroll down to antenna module, and see the picture to the right.....

DarquePervert · 04-18-2006, 08:00 AM

All I see is bodywork on the Volvo.

But you can use an OEM GPS antenna with a GPS receiver that accepts an external antenna. Most of the "mouse" or "puck" style GPS receivers don't have this capability.

underdog · 04-18-2006, 12:45 PM

This is a cut and paste from the above site...

Antenna Module and Cover

The radio antenna, instead of being imbedded in glass, is mounted under the roof. This is a huge antenna, spanning the width of the vehicle. It can be removed from inside the vehicle after removing part of the headliner (see Figure 4). The antenna module can also be a global positioning system receiver and traffic message channel receiver, depending on the vehicle options.

The antenna module is not open to the sky on top, but covered with a thermoset epoxy cover. The antenna module cover is attached with stationary glass urethane.

jcdillin · 04-20-2006, 01:41 PM

it would be a big stretch to be able to use that antenna, you would just have to get your hands on one and try it. But you might run into problems like how to power it and connecting to it, I would just go with a tiny mag mount antenna on the roof. A car that high you'll barely see it.

underdog · 04-20-2006, 02:46 PM

Good suggestion. How do I mount it to the roof, and wire it down inside the car? Do I have to drill a hole in the roof?

P.S. I just looked at your wireless steering wheel controls. Really nice!

jcdillin · 04-20-2006, 02:54 PM

Thanks

nope, no holes required, they are magnet mount so they stick to your roof and you can remove them if needed. You just stick them to the roof and run the wire down through the back hatch, it's normally a very small thin wire.

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...roducts_id=464

you pair one of those antennas up with one of these

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...roducts_id=641

and you'll have a very nice gps system.

I want your car BTW

i'm seriously considering getting either one of those or the S60 R

underdog · 05-09-2006, 08:56 PM

That looks like a cool set up. The board says it is powered by a 110V supply. I'm assuming you can give it a 12V from the car?

This or an S60R? Pretty different cars. But, I like the XC90 so far. Just want more from it, which is why I'm here....

jcdillin · 05-09-2006, 09:11 PM

it's actually powered via 5v that you can get from your car computer.

klokman · 05-11-2006, 06:06 PM

Underdog,
As far as I know the GPS antena isn't fitted as standard unless you had SATNAV as a factory option.

I use a Haicom GPS "PUCK" with USB. I run the cable up through one of the tailgate pillars and into the plastic part of the roof. Its RF transparent in there so reception is fine. That way you don't have to drill any holes or put the antenna on the outer skin of your roof.

JC-S60 · 05-11-2006, 06:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by klokman

Underdog,
As far as I know the GPS antena isn't fitted as standard unless you had SATNAV as a factory option.

I use a Haicom GPS "PUCK" with USB. I run the cable up through one of the tailgate pillars and into the plastic part of the roof. Its RF transparent in there so reception is fine. That way you don't have to drill any holes or put the antenna on the outer skin of your roof.

That's what I was going to say: if the factory antenna works there, another will too.

Nice car BTW

If they would just make an R-version of it