GPS 2400 Cell/FME/3.0 Antenna Adapter

**midgetg0at** · 05-17-2006, 09:05 PM

Just purchased this antenna:

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...72af9e92af5f2a

And this NIC:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127118

And purchased this adaptor to connect the two:

http://www.eur-am.com/adapter/fme-sma.htm

Unfortunately, it's the wrong adaptor for the card, works on the antenna thou. My hope is that people actually use this antenna and have done what I'm attempting to do, and hopefully they've needed an adaptor.

Or perhaps if one of you has a free moment and/or actually knows about this stuff I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

This antenna also has GPS and Cell connections, I havent gotten that far yet as i'm still looking for a GPS receiver (Any suggestions on that as well - keeping the antenna in mind) and dont have inet via cell phone.

Anyway, I'm asking for help

... with the adapters....

Thanks in advance.

**midgetg0at** · 05-17-2006, 11:44 PM

Come on guys, someone take a stab!

**midgetg0at** · 05-19-2006, 12:12 AM

Nice guess I'm on my own. When I get it working I'll update this thread as it may come in handy for some other poor schlemp who gets no replies

**JAC** · 05-20-2006, 01:34 AM

Hey keep the faith,
I got my antenna few months ago and ordered adaptors from radio labs think
it's (RadioLabs.com) and a 500mv amp it will be in this tuesday. Also using a
Linksys wireless-g pci card w/external antenna in my 328i that had already
installed from factory a cell ant.

I'll keep you posted w/pictures.
P.S. also undergoing the TRANSFLECTIVE UPGRADE on my Xnrc 700tsv.
sp 13000
xm & HQCT
overdrive line driver w/shielded monster cable
SVEN4 unit
Upgraded all speakers w/stage-1 from BSW sound

**midgetg0at** · 05-20-2006, 10:51 AM

Excellent.

Am I correct in searching for a FME Male to SMA Reverse Thread Female adaptor? It's the best I was able to come up with. Plan on making some phone calls monday to see who/what can help me.

Hopefully I wont get laughed at for my noobishness (nice word, eh).

Anyway, reply is greatly appreciated and I'm more interested in part numbers / companies to order from then pics, although pics are nice too

**JAC** · 05-21-2006, 01:37 AM

I tried more than a few companies and got nothing! Seemed I was dooomed but google kept listing so I kept calling. When the parts come in tuesday I'll post model numbers. The parts are not regular adapters but rather pigtail adapters (aka custom cables) 26.95 for two/only needed one. Did you mount the antenna on your car yet? I did and had to grind the square corners to fit it in round hole and did a water pressure test @ a car wash, kept inside lining off to check for leaks. Then it rained for 3-days did'nt know that was coming lost 3 bucks. Anyway it passed the rain test too. Currently looking navsync site for a gps module with a ext-ant.

**midgetg0at** · 05-21-2006, 11:43 PM

I did install it today, it was....fun

Not that bad actually, the main pain in the arse was the b piller, once that was done, i had fun dremeling the antenna to knock out the corners, as you did. I also had to cut off 1/4" of the threads in order to get it to work. Probably unique to the touring (wagon) model as it has the hatch back "hump" welded to the roof which contains all the wires, and of course the antenna.

View my little DIY at http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=4379416

I did find a gps module w/ an external antenna - havent received it yet, so i cant attest to it's functionality/usability, but here is the link

http://www.deluoelectronics.com/cust...&cat=19&page=1

And in the event someone in the future is looking at this post, the product is:

GM-M308 GPS Module

If you decide to order it, use the coupon code "GPSP5TH" to grab 20% off
I found the link for this gps either on mp3car.com forums or e46fanatics.com forums.

But yea, I'm very interested in your "custom cables". If you only need one lemme know what you're looking for in terms of $ (i'd assume 13.50) and which antenna and card/module/whatever it attaches to and i might take it off your hands.

I havent attempted to secure the antenna yet as I'm not sure of the best method - right now i'm thinking 3M Glue or whatever holds on the badges......but then i'd have to glue the antennas seal to the antenna, and then the seal to the car..seems odd, but unless i can find some kind of "butterfly nut" (think about the things you put in drywall when you need to hang a picture but no stud is there).

Anyway, keep in touch.

**JAC** · 05-22-2006, 12:16 AM

Why can't you use the proper nut supplied with this antenna?
I've reviewed carefully your pictorials but can't figure out why you would use
glue or something like a butterfly nut for final installation. The part on the antenna thats threaded has a cut out and you can use that to keep the antenna in place (from rotating while installed) home depot has straight flat galvanized steel (to keep from rusting do to humidity) with holes. You see the openning slit the supplied nut uses it to keep the antenna from rotating.
As to the extra custom cable HECK you can have it for free....the only reason I really ordered two was incase I ruined the 1st one. But now all I have to is plug it in.

**midgetg0at** · 05-22-2006, 09:45 PM

JAC, thanks for the offer on the cable, i'll email you my address information - which antenna is it for thou, before you send me something i may not need.

Also, my 323i is a wagon, so i have the hatch back to deal with. BMW created a little "bubble" and welded it to the roof so they can run wires and attach the rear hatch, i dont have direct access to the bottom of the antenna - it slid in through the top of the car.

I'm not crazy about the idea of drilling because the last thing i want to do is cut up a wire [or a dozen] to secure an antenna.

Good news on the GPS module i ordered, it takes a standard SMA Male connection, so i was able to use the FME Male to SMA Male adaptor found at http://eur-am.com for $2.50 + $2.xx shipping, total came to just over $5.00 - still looking for a FME Male to SMA Reverse Thread Female adaptor for my NIC.

I've attached an image to show the "bubble" i'm talking about. Keep in mind that the antenna only goes below the thin metal of the roof - not all the way through so the bolt that came w/ the 2400 is useless unless i drilled.

**midgetg0at** · 05-22-2006, 09:49 PM

Are you suggesting i somehow squeeze a small metal "bar" through the antenna hole and then screw the antenna into it to hold it snug? I dont think thats an option as the antenna hole is just barely larger than the threads of the 2400.