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Forums > Skills & Gear > Navigation
Subject: Aux antennae

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AuthorMessages
Chris Rollins



07/10/2007 9:16 PM Alert 
I just got the Garmin Etrex Legend Cx. It's very cool, and it didn't take long for me to buy the topo map and a 1 gig card. I had a conversation with ike a while back about an aux antennae that sits outside the car and then bounces the boosted signal into the car. I might be mistaken on the operation but the point is i'd like an aux antennae for the car. The legend seems to be a little weak and i'll be using the gps on the trip to texas and plan to use it ALOT in the car. The legend just has a USB connection on the back. Thanks dudes.
Craig Miller
Title Sponsor


07/13/2007 10:01 AM Alert 

Chris,

Did you find a solution yet?

It is my understanding that the eTrex doesn't have an external antenna port on it.  One way to boost the signal would be to setup up an external re-radiating antenna.  Such as the one from PC-Mobile

This antenna comes in two pieces.  An external antenna that you can use with any GPS (that has a compatible connector) and a power transmitting unit (a repeater).  The GPS signal comes in through the antenna, goes into the repeater box, gets amplified and sent back out again via the antenna.  There are no wires connecting the antenna to your  GPS, but the stronger signal should be able to penetrate the roof, and the external antenna should offer better reception.

I believe there are other companies that also make re-radiating antennas, some of which connect to your cigarette lighter rather than using batteries.

Craig

 

My Overland Adventure Blog
Peter Carey



07/13/2007 10:13 AM Alert 
and your kids should have three arms. :)
The Carey Adventures
Craig Miller
Title Sponsor


07/13/2007 10:14 AM Alert 
LOL! I was thinking the same thing as I read it. I *believe* it is pretty low powered.

Craig
My Overland Adventure Blog
Andy Berglund



07/13/2007 10:42 AM Alert 
a silly question but where does it reside in the car? obviously, if you have it closer to the windshield it'll get a better signal than on the center console, for example. also, is it running on battery power or the aux power cable? it *may* get a better signal from having a dedicated power supply than batteries; or, you'll run through batteries real fast.

at any rate, a friend used a similar garmin unit in my wife's jetta; it sat in the cupholders and still got a great signal. on the open road i'll bet you'll be fine.

a
I am loving the Gilmore Girls-Scott Williams
Craig Miller
Title Sponsor


07/13/2007 11:50 AM Alert 
Andy,

I'm not sure if you are asking about the eTrex or the antenna. The antenna goes on the roof. The radio signal being put out by the antenna is *really* low, so the battery life is quite long. A 12v source is preferable for a vehicle, but the batteries make it portable so you can keep your GPS in your pack and get good reception under the trees when hiking.

Craig
My Overland Adventure Blog
Chris Rollins



07/13/2007 11:25 PM Alert 
"the legend" sits on the rubber mat on the dash, and while out of downtown it works fine but in between buildings and such it's not so good, i know it's -just- an etrex but i figure maybe with an amplified signal i could get a little better reception... No extra ant. port craig, and thanks for the link, i think that's what i was looking for! i'll never get poor reception in tree cover again. Btw hey peter, what was the map you had loaded for our 695 camel trophy trip?? I thought the topo 2008 would have those trails we were on, boy was i wrong!
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Forums > Skills & Gear > Navigation > Aux antennae



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