GPS Antenna Mounts

[Kacers]

Searched here and didn't see alot of info. Inquiring on options for mounting an external antenna for my newly purchased (used) Garmin 276C unit.

What are the best mount locations on a D2? I was thinking on the ARB somewhere but thats getting increasingly dirty now-a-days. Plus someone here would probably post that the extra weight on the ARB would cause it to sag. :smilelol: Roof rack could work but that gets hit also with the limbs.

Any advice from others who have done this would be greatly appreciated. Pics would be even better.

AndrewT

 

[sean]

i used a magnet mount on top of the snorkel. disco nomad has the same setup, neither of us has had a problem.
another friend has his windsheild pulled to run the wire for xm radio behind it to the roof.

the antenaes are just a little over half a inch thick so as long as the wireing is hid there is not much to catch.

 

[craig]

Searched here and didn't see alot of info. Inquiring on options for mounting an external antenna for my newly purchased (used) Garmin 276C unit.

What are the best mount locations on a D2? I was thinking on the ARB somewhere but thats getting increasingly dirty now-a-days. Plus someone here would probably post that the extra weight on the ARB would cause it to sag. :smilelol: Roof rack could work but that gets hit also with the limbs.

Any advice from others who have done this would be greatly appreciated. Pics would be even better.

AndrewT

I used a through roof GPS from MightyGPS.com. They also sell a through roof antenna. I have a roofrack over it (not shown in picture) and either the chicken coop flooring, the King Starlite XL, or the RhinoPro flooring can be used and the signals will pass right through it.

The location is behind the back seat dome light. Just drill a hole, bolt the GPS down, run the wires through the headliner (lot's of room so, it's easy), down the B-pillar, under the carpet to the dash.

A few friends have mounted them on the center of the hood, near the front windshield as well.

--Craig

 

[syoung]

On DII's there's a hole already in the roof one could use for a GPS antenna in the rear. I bought an OEM antenna to put there, then decided against it because of the roof rack.
Mine uses a Garmin boat antenna on a typical boat antenna mount. It's designed to fold over if it gets whacked. Overkill- absolutely. The little magnet antennas work fairly well and you can put them just about anywhere.

 

[craig]

Steve,

Where's the hole?

What was the problem with the roofrack and the OEM antenna?

I agree with the magnetic comment. My GPS isn't magnetic. It bolts on and has a rubber seal. It works fantastic since it's a 20 channel, WAAS, SIRF III chipset.

http://mightygps.com/WeatherproofGPSReceiver.htm



--Craig

 

[PCFRover]

Hey Andrew, I used a Mag mount and it worked fantastic anywhere on the roof.

 

[Slunnie]

I've got the same unit, and have put it on the snorkel head.

 

[syoung]

There's a plug on the roof on the DII toward the rear where the Rover NAV antenna would be- that's where I planned to put mine. I use my roof rack a lot and sometimes use a Thule box up there, so I mounted the GPS antenna on the front of the roof rack. Snorkel would be a good place too, but the antenna I have sticks up from the mount kinda high so I opted for a boat style pole mount.

 

[craig]

Ah. I don't have that plug on my 99.

 

[Kacers]

There's a plug on the roof on the DII toward the rear where the Rover NAV antenna would be- that's where I planned to put mine. I use my roof rack a lot and sometimes use a Thule box up there, so I mounted the GPS antenna on the front of the roof rack. Snorkel would be a good place too, but the antenna I have sticks up from the mount kinda high so I opted for a boat style pole mount.

Steve - got any pics? I think I have access to the same 'boat' antenna from Garmin and it says it can be pole mounted or flush mounted. I assumed flush mounted for vehicle use but curious what the pole mount looks like.

PCFRover, Thx for the tip. I was going to ask you how you did this before and forgot. I look forward to getting the unit and using it.

Thx,

AndrewT

 

[syoung]

I can't find any good pics- if I can remember to take my camera home, I'll shoot some for ya.

 

[Kacers]

Thx - much appreciated.

AndrewT

 

[rmuller]

Andy, I need to mount my GPS antenna also, so maybe we'll both tackle it this weekend.

 

[Kacers]

Cool. What kind did you get and is it magnetic mount, pole mount, or other?

AndrewT

 

[DiscoNomad]

Heres what I did...

I ended up also putting my 2 meter / 70 centemeter HAM antenna off the snorkle. It provides a wonderful ground plane and works very well with the roof rack.

Nomad

 

[Kacers]

Damn - everyone has a snorkel. I'm thinking either hood mount (in the center up near the cowl) or rack mount (two center light tabs on my SD are not used now). Hood mount means drilling unless that adhesive stuff works well and is water and heat-proof. So rack mount seems like a better option for me but jury is still out.

I'd prefer it outside as opposed to cluttering up the dash.

AndrewT

 

[DannyDisco]

Ah. I don't have that plug on my 99.

Navigation wasn't an option until 2003, hence we early DII owners don't get a cheater hole.

 

[Kacers]

OK - got my marine antenna mounted up. Thought I'd post up some pics.

I built a shelf out of steel (elec box cover) and cut it down to kind of a diamond shape then rounded off the front so it conforms to the antenna base. It mounts to the stock light tabs on the SD rack and I can still put lights on those tabs later if needed as it sits far enough in front for clearance.

Ant wire routes across the SD rack to the side and then down the front door clip area into engine bay and then thru the main grommet in the drive-side firewall. From there, I planned to route up thru the dash but there is this perfectly sized nook that parallels the front door seal and lets the wire route up to the dash basically unseen. Works for me.

AndrewT

 

[fishguy]

anybody have a really trick install of the garmin 276C itself? I would like to move my front overhead light back a bit and install it in that space. East Coast Rovers moved the light back and installed some guages in its place on a DII featured on their website. Also does anyone know a source for the factory gps antenna to go in the factory hole on the roof? and would that wire in easily to the 276c? I would like to see pics if anybody has done a custom install period of the 276C in a DII. I'm getting tired of the bag of shot mount from Garmin that I've been using.

Thanks

Tim