Speedhut GPS antenna

[Munypit]

This is a question for the members that have installed the Speedhut Guages. I received a new speedometer for Christmas, and trying to figure out the best place to mount the GPS antenna. I want to get a good signal but kinda keep it out of site.

 

[Peanut Butter]

I personal do not have a gps speedometer, but I do lots of 2 way radio communication. Your gps device is basically a radio receiver. The signals are broadcasted from a satellite. That being said, top dead center of the roof is the best spot (that is if you have a roof). Next best place would be the center of the hood. I guessing these two places are probably out of the question though. So, you don't want to cover it with a cloth top. If you never use a cloth top, then top of the windshield frame would be ideal. Next best place would be on the cowl of the jeep, preferably in the center and close to the hood. Keep in mind that you will lose signal in a parking garage, dense forest, etc. But for the most part you will not notice any miss reception. Hope this helps some. Rod

 

[007]

I'd love to know how this works. I'm drooling over the whole set for mine. Not sure I can hold off...


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[Lumpy Grits]

How big is this antenna?
What does the instructions say for mounting?
GPS antennas are very short/stubby. Cloth top is not an issue. My GPS is mounted to the dash-No reception issues.
LG

 

[Peanut Butter]

How big is this antenna?
What does the instructions say for mounting?
GPS antennas are very short/stubby. Cloth top is not an issue. My GPS is mounted to the dash-No reception issues.
LG

Actually, anything in between the antenna and the satellite can be a problem. Big problem, maybe not. But the GPS operates in the gigahertz frequency range. Similar to your internet Wi-Fi. If you think about it, you can go to the other side of a window and have decreased reception. Will it still work, yea. But why stack obstacles in the way, soft top, trees, buildings, etc. And he did ask what was the best location. Rod

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Been run'n a GPS in my CJ for 15+ yrs.
It's mounted so the ant. 'sees' through the glass.
Never any issue.
When your up in the 'gig' range of freq. Car glass is not an issue.
LG

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

Personally, the place I'd put it is in the fresh air cowl off the hood....."but tim the cover for the cowl will block the signal bla bla bla".

I have a GPS dash radio in my f150 and despite all the nay saying and, honestly, pioneers instructions saying not to do so I installed the antenna inside my dash because I didn't want to look at it or push it through a seal. I have NEVER had an issue with signal.

I would drill a hole large enough to get the wire through in the side of the cowl under the dash. Seal it with a bulkhead and sillycon, glue the antenna to side, put the cowl grill back on and never have to look at it..

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Keep the GPS antenna as far away from RFI as you can, like ignition systems.
LG

 

[brownrxmd]

A lot of people mount their gps antennas xm radio antennas on their roll bars if they have a soft top. I mounted mine on top of the roll bar gps signals pass through a soft top no problem. Plus the antenna stays outta sight. I used velcro and a small magnet. There are also aftermarket folks who make a gps antenna mount just for for roll bars. :drool:

 

[007]

When I do his Speedhut kit I'd planned on putting mine near the vents on cowl. Any issues there?


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[Peanut Butter]

When I do his Speedhut kit I'd planned on putting mine near the vents on cowl. Any issues there?

That should be a good spot. Clear and out in the open. Any object between the antenna and the satellite will attenuate the signal. Multiple objects may increase this attenuation to the point of total signal loss. In general the higher the frequency the easier the signal will pass through an object. But it is also common practice to lower the power output as the frequency increases. Glass most definably attenuates a GPS Signal. Soft top will too. To the point of total signal loss, not be themselves, but when you throw other objects in the picture, it might. Rod

 

[Dolf]

In general the higher the frequency the easier the signal will pass through an object.

That’s debatable. UHF (ultra high frequency) in the microwave frequency range are generally point-to-point only. An example would be a microwave tower with antenna dishes that communicate with another tower without anything in the way. On the opposite, VLF (very low frequency) communications can be used to talk to submarines at the bottom of the sea. I really wouldn’t worry too much about a receive only antenna. I say that with the caveat that I don’t have experience with GPS units, but I have both FFC commercial and amature radio licenses. As long as the antenna is out in the open without too much around it, especially the grounded body, you should be just fine.

 

[Munypit]

Well I am going to wait until it warms up a little to install the guage. That soft top was a pain to install since it had been in storage for 2 years and it has to come off to do all the repairs that is going to take place behind the dash.