Magellan GPS Map 7000

royandrews · 07-10-2006, 05:32 AM

Hey. I just got a Magellan GPS Map 7000 flight computer for free from someone who was throwing it out. Anyone heard of it? It was made in 1994 so its kinda old.

I'm currently trying to get it to work. It comes up with a blank graph with sat numbers on the y axis and SQ (signal quality) on the x axis. The graph stays blank most of the time but every now and then sat 21 jumps to almost max, wobbles around a bit then dissapears completely.

What do I do? None of the other sats get any proper signal. The reciever can see about 8 satellites and their location but no fix or SQ.

I would appreciate any help. Thanks.

royandrews · 07-10-2006, 07:12 AM

Ok. Went for a drive and got a lock eventually. However, I'm going to need an external antenna.

The standard quadrifilar antenna disconnects to show a bnc connector. In the box that came with the GPS was a RG58 cable with the connector broken off the end.

Also, the manual says that in aircraft (or car in my case) use, I should connect the normal antenna via the RG58 cable or connect a patch antenna. There are no more details. So, I have some questions:

a) Do I need to use the RG58 cable or can I use another?
b) Does my unit use a powered antenna? (ie: are there unpowered patch antennae available)
c) Should I use the stock antenna or another one?
d) How do I fix a connector to the broken cable? I have no experience with coax.
e) Should I use another cable instead? Can I?

walstib · 07-10-2006, 07:51 AM

Instead of trying to patch an RG58, why nort make a trip to Radio Shack and get a new one? I think a new cable may fix a lot of your issues.

royandrews · 07-11-2006, 03:30 AM

Well, a "short" trip to radio shack would take 22 hours and $3500.

But in Aussie we have Jaycar. I went there but they only sell cable, connectors and crimping tools. They don't have pre-made cable with BNC connectors. I asked them if they could crimp on the connector but they said no.

So I bought a connector today and couldn't afford $50 for a crimping tool. I'm going to have to find someone to do it for me.

Can anyone comment on my antenna questions above? Thanks.

Rafster · 07-11-2006, 03:43 AM

Why not just buy an Antenna on Ebay.

That's what we did with my sister's Magellan 360.

Peace,

Rafster

piabu · 07-11-2006, 03:43 AM

Which part of Oz?
If you are around Perth, try http://www.wacb.com.au

royandrews · 07-11-2006, 07:16 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Rafster

Why not just buy an Antenna on Ebay.

That's what we did with my sister's Magellan 360.

Peace,

Rafster

What antenna did you get? A replacement original or a new patch antenna?

Quote: Originally Posted by piabu

Which part of Oz?
If you are around Perth, try http://www.wacb.com.au

I'm in Sydney. I've been trying to find a store near here tho.

royandrews · 07-17-2006, 01:32 AM

Just a quick update as to my progress with this unit.

I crimped a new plug to the coax cable and it works fine on the roof of my car. I made my own magnet mount from an old speaker magnet. I now get lock in about 15 seconds. I only lose signal when I'm near home because I live in a valley.

I mashed the data output port when trying to fix a small problem with it. So i put a new socket on the unit and hooked up the serial data and power lines to the plug. It works perfectly. WOOT! Transmits data in AIR and several NMEA protocols.