Tomtom BT external antenna

Tim Buxton · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 4:12 pm Post subject: Tomtom BT external antenna

Hi, can some kind soul tell me which connector this unit uses for its external antenna? It mentions MC, but I'm only familiar with MCX and MMCX.

Cheers,
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Tim

lbendlin · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 6:17 pm Post subject:

The comparison database says it is MMCX
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Lutz

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Scotes · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 09, 2004 Posts: 20

Lutz,

In another post you say the comparison table data is unconfirmed. The manual or the TomTom BT unit says it is an "MC female". Does an MMCX plug go into an MC female jack? I'm really starting to get frustrated trying to find an external antenna for my TomTom BT unit (her in the US) and can't seem to find anyone who knows.

lbendlin · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 3:31 am Post subject:

Can you measure the diameter of the socket? MMCX is slightly smaller tham MCX
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Scotes · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 09, 2004 Posts: 20

The overall diameter of the hole for the socket is 4mm, the outer diameter of the plug is abour 2.5mm and the inner diameter is about 1.5mm. The inner depth of the socket looks 2.5->3mm and the outer depth is about 1.5mm - I can't really get an accurate measurement of the depth as it is in the TomTom unit.

Scotes · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 09, 2004 Posts: 20

One of the vendors I've contacted (www.buygpsnow.com) has said they have tested 3 types of antennas and none of them have worked with the TomTom unit.

Pc-Mobile · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 2:46 am Post subject:

If it is not in the manual, surely a phone call/email to Tom Tom technical should clarify all this.
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Pc-Mobile
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Scotes · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 09, 2004 Posts: 20

You would think but that is unfortunately not the case. I contacted TomTom and their response was to send me a link to a retailer in the Netherlands with a Dutch website. I'm in the US. Oh, and it was TomTom US that sent me the link - not their Europe office. I replied asking for some more info but after two days have not had a reply.

I followed up some with BuyGPSNow.com and they told me of the 3 antenna they did try -
MMCX connector - http://www.buygpsnow.com/item.aspx?itemid=212
MCX connector - http://www.buygpsnow.com/item.aspx?itemid=13
MCX connector - http://www.buygpsnow.com/item.aspx?itemid=352

Now the first two list as being MMCX or MCX but the third one I am guessing is MCX by SysOn's web page - though it then seems odd it wouldn't work with another GPS with an MCX connection.

Good as all this is it only confirms that the TomTom is not an MMCX or MCX connecter. I have seen it listed as an MC connector but can not find anyone selling a GPS antenna with an MC connector no matter how I try and google it.

The only consolation is I stuck it in my trunk yesterday afternoon and still ended up receiving 6->8 sats. In my armrest it pulled down 4 though I will probably mount it in my trunk. So maybe I'll be able to live without the antenna. As long as it is saying it is receiving the sats is accuracy effected by sticking it in my trunk?

Somebody out there has got to be using an external antenna with this!!

lbendlin · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 4:06 pm Post subject:

Please remember there is a difference between acquiring a fix and keeping a fix. Keeping a fix is much easier, and the armrest may be good enough. But once you lost the fix, it is unlikely you get it back in the armrest. The trunk should be a very good place for the receiver, and you can live without external antenna (like everybody else ;-) )
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Lutz

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Scotes · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 09, 2004 Posts: 20

I was going from a cold start when I had it in the armrest - just turned it on and dropped it in. I've got another spot in my roof (where an alarm glass breakage and movement sensor would go) and testing the receiver there from a cold start netted me 9 sats. 8O

I guess I thought that these things needed a clear view of the sky but apparently that's not the case! 8->9 sats through metal is pretty impressive. I guess I will give up my quest for the elusive TomTom external antenna - I just don't seem to need it. Thanks for the help though! Thumbs Up

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