We have a handful of simple guiding rules when it comes to having external GPS antennas that come with their in-dash navigation receivers. The first cardinal rule we have to remember here is not to cut or modify your antenna in any way. The second one is to make sure that it is consistently having contact with those GPS satellites that are orbiting the earth.
This explains the reason why you need to mount your antenna to, say your car, in such a way that it would minimize the likelihood for interference to occur.
Most of the time, GPS antennas can be mounted on your dash, near the top of its underside, just above or behind the receiver. Nowadays, we have strong and reliable satellite signals which makes it all-sufficient when it comes to maintaining your required reliable reception. It also allows you to keep your antenna hidden, and thus would be out of sight.
Alternatively, some of the leading brands you will find in the market today would recommend mounting their offered GPS type of antenna either along the rear deck or on the dash. If you do so, make sure that it will have open access to a clear, cloud-free sky. Also, see to it that it is not very much in close range to a 2-way antenna or A-pillars — it should work okay that way.
Do you want to know under which cases you can install your antenna on your car exterior?
Check out the following scenarios for this:
- you have metallic window tint
- you wired rear defroster
- Your car window is solar reflective
- you radio antenna is a windshield-mounted type
It is also paramount that a GPS type of antenna is as level as possible. This will allow it to have a solid connection to its attached metal sheet or plate, in the absence of one. Some kind of adhesive will keep the antenna to remain in place.
After this, you have to route your antenna wire to the receiver’s rear along the floorboard or dashboard. You can also course it through a door or window seal.
Wire connections
Receivers that are equipped with video screen features need to have several wire connections that are not at all necessary in non-touch screen stereos. Here is a closer look at some of them.
Parking brake wire connection
If you have equipped your vehicle with whatever kind of video screen application, for safety reasons, you must see to it that it is also attached to the parking brake wire. This measure is also applicable to your vehicle’s GPS antenna systems.
While your car is in motion, the it came with will be disabled. If you need to look for a particular phone number, or if you want to change something at the unit’s default settings, what you need to do is to pull over the vehicle first. It seldom happens though that the use of a foot brake would also be necessary.
Reverse signal wire connection
Navigation systems also need to access your car’s back-up light or reverse signal wire. This connection will indicate to the vehicle navigation system that your car is traveling in reverse. If this wire is not connected or not hooked up, then your vehicle will have a hard time tracking properly. It will render your navigation system to fail on its job and designed purpose.
Help on Choosing and Installing Navigation Receiver
You only need to follow several extra steps when installing a navigation stereo, the in-dash type. If you are about and all set to shop for your next navigation receiver, it is important to know and identify first what models are likely going to work and are compatible with your car.