W1N

Hello all!

I just got me a new H2 and decided to go for a aftermarket receiver, so that I can play mp3's out of DVD and use Navigation feature as well. I got me a Kenwood DDX series receiver and the navigation unit. I was just thinking of using the Onstar antenna for my navigation, since I can't use the OnStar here (I'm located in Europe). This way I could get better visibility to satellites and I didn't have to install another GPS antenna to my truck since it already has one. I think the antenna technology should be the same, so that shouldn't be a problem...

Anybody information how this can be done, like wiring guides? All together I've heard it shouldn't be a big deal?

Thanks and you guys have great forum here!

ElKeeed

look in the faq, its been done

W1N

Might be just me, but I can't find a thing in there.

thanks!

peijffertje

I would like to know how to do this as well. I seach in the faq but its not there.

DarquePervert

Must be just you....
Maybe it's just a newbie trait.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=42445

YOu need to look in the FAQ Emporium. This was found inthe FAQ to the FAQs thread.

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W1N

Sorry dude, but I think this is not what we are looking for. I would like to use just the Onstar antenna located on my car roof for aftermarket Navigation unit rather that using the oem antenna that was delivered with the aftermarket Navigation unit.

I think somebody said all I need to do is change the plug in the onstar antenna wiring and plug it into the aftermarket Navigation unit. I'd like to get confirmation for this and see how it has been done.

Thanks anyway!

ElKeeed

Why not just use the onstar gps? You can't just plug any old antenaa into a random nav unit and expect it to work.

W1N

What do you mean? I already have another device that has the GPS in it, but I do not want to istal a second antenna in my car. So why not use the one that already exists, when I can't use OnStar here anyways...


Antenna is antenna, it is mechanical component. If it has been designed to communicate with GPS satellites, it is very likely that the antenna can be used for positioning and other satellite using devices too.

ElKeeed

Onstar has a GPS unit in it that you can use whether you are using onstar itself or not.




Wrong! The gps is designed to talk to the satellite, the antenna is chosen for the characteristics of the specific gps. Different antennas can be very different. Have you not wondered why you need a huge dish to pick up sky tv from a satellite but only a little antenna to pick up gps?

DarquePervert

Sorry it wasn't in the FAQ.
But it was in a simple search for ONSTAR GPS on these forums:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...ght=onstar+gps

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nkotch

Umm... you kinda missed his point. He was saying that since it's a GPS antenna it should work with other GPS receivers in general, as long as he can get the right physical connector on it. From the very little I've read it seems like it could be easier to just put a different connector or use an adapter to hook it into another gps receiver you already have than to wire up a serial connection to it.

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joego

Onstar isn't GPS though; you have voice communication with the people at OnStar. I suppose the antenna on the thing could be a compound antenna with GPS and OnStar recievers built in, but good luck in you project and for god sakes tell us what you did to make it work.

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W1N

I know few that has done this in the past. I guess you have to know which wire is for voice and which is for the GPS signal. As what I have heard this project shouldn't be too tough. But I let you guys know when I'm done with it.

Thanks!

Jahntassa

Actually, from what I remember, Onstar is simply a GPS reciever and a Cellphone jammed together. In the newer, digital versions, there's also a databand in the cellphone that allows two-way data between the car and the Onstar service.

'Onstar' isn't exactly some mythological third service that exists out there. It's GPS and cellular.

As for the antenna: Generally GPS antennas are GPS antennas. There's no seperate GPS signals that prevents one GPS antenna from working with one reciever and not another. It's not like trying to use an FM antenna with an AM radio.

You should be able to find the Onstar brain and unplug the GPS antenna from that, adapt it and extend it to your headunit. Finding an extension might be a bit of a pain though, I don't know how common those are.