What is the strongest MCX antenna

[alncc1701]

Hi

I have a Route 66 / RAC 200 Satnav which has a MCX antenna connector on the back of it. Ideally I would like to find a way to get the satellite signal into it as powerfully as possible. I have a Qstarz bluetooth GPS unit BT818 which is so good at picking up the signal that not only does it work great in the car without any external antenna it also can detect the satellites inside of my house.

However when it comes to the RAC satnav it is not as strong a receiver. Is there a small plugin solution that could go into the back of the MCX connector and get almost as good a reception as the Qstarz? Something that is very small and lightweight and merely plugs in and works from inside the car rather than outside the car? I kind of want to avoid having to get a 2 meter long cabling magnetic external antenna "glued" on top of my car roof if possible. If this is not possible then please could you suggest the best rated/most powerful external cabled solution.

Many thanks

Al

[Brickie64]

Al,
Might be worth popping down to a Maplin shop if you have one locally. They sell a GPS external antenna and would probably let you give it a try before buying.
It's hard to find anywhere on the high street that sell these items. I bought one some time ago for my Navman iCN510 (from somewhere on the internet) which seems to work better with it but still takes a long time to get a fix from cold and absolutely ages if you drive away before it's had chance to get a fix.

I think a lot of it is down to the device rather than the antenna.
_________________
"A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible"

Garmin Nuvi 3598 + GO 720 (+USA Map Card) + NavFree for iPhone in case all else fails ;-)

[mikealder]

What car are you using the RAC unit in, and do you know if it is fitted with Athermic glass? - Mike

[alncc1701]

Hi

Thanks for replies. I found that Maplin antenna and will probably go for it thanks.

I am using different cars all the time because I don't have a car right now I just rent as I need so I need a gps that will work no matter what windscreen type.

The RAC gps is not too bad with receiving signal but I just want to get it stronger so I can use it anywhere. I tried it on a bus but it kept losing the signal.

Hopefully that antenna might fix this. But I wonder if there was a device that could turn the gain up thru the antenna connector so I don't need a long cable. Maybe not.

My Qstarz is a powerful little gps. It has no antenna and can get a satellite fix in 30 seconds from cold in a fast moving car. I was amazed.

Kind regards

Al

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