Antenna open can you help!

[Whitty]

Hi
For the past 5 years I have been very happy with my electronics, but at the end of last year I noticed that the Philips AP Navigator mk6 which is 16 years old was not getting a signal and the message on the screen stated open antenna. I have been informed that Philips no longer make this item and therefore need help to find a compatible GPS antenna. The Philips Navigator is linked to all my other instruments with NMEA 0183 system. If a compatible antenna is not an option I wondered if I was to purchase a Raystar 125 and plug into my Raython C80 Chart Plotter which is only 6 years old, would this then send the info via the NMEA system back to the Philips Navigator and other equipment. (Note: the Philips antenna is the only GPS antenna in the system and I have checked the antenna cable for cracks and breakages in the connection but the GPS antenna seems to be a sealed unit).

Hope some one out there can help as I would hate to loose the Philips AP Nav as this is a brilliant piece of kit.

 

[pvb]

I don't think the AP Mk6 uses an active antenna, so you could try a simple patch antenna and see whether it will work with that.

Otherwise, almost any GPS would output NMEA to your system, at a lower price than a Raystar 125. The advantage of the Raystar is that it can output by NMEA or SeaTalk, thus simplifying connections to your C80 plotter.

As an aside, I'm surprised you find the AP Navigator so useful when you have a C80!

 

[andrewfollett]

When my GPS antenna failed and i found a new one was unavailable I went searching on Ebay. I found a used one that day. Its a great place to sell kit thats being upgraded and a great place to find spares. If one isnt being sold now, dont worry but keep checking every few days. Check out international sellers also. I recently bought a good used iridium aerial for a small fraction of a new one.

 

[Whitty]

Thanks both of you for your replies.