Inside a GPS antenna...?

[Allegro]

Hi

Out cruising at the weekend the GPS suddenly stopped working, showing no satellites acquired and hence no position, although the display etc is still fully functioning. Connections etc all seemed intact but unscrewing the antenna and giving it a shake there's a splashing noise coming from within!

But, I can't get into it! It's a Garmin GPS and the antenna is, I think, the GA28. The base unscrews, and there's a tiny screw on the underside that comes out but doesn't seem to do anything. The top half of the "dome" looks as though it ought to unscrew from the bottom half, but I can't persuade it to. I'm wondering about drilling a hole in it to try and let the water out, but wondered if anyone else had a better cure before I completely wreck it!

Cheers
Patrick

<hr width=100% size=1>Sailing a Victoire 25 on the Scottish West Coast

 

[Sunnyseeker]

If its the same as the one I had, 4" dia top about 6" high on an Al base.
It did unscrew but was very corroded, when you get inside very small connectors.
I just remember it was extremely fiddly, took most of the day to change te main cable but that was the problem and it did work afterwards, its sealed with an O ring but the thread was corroded, if its corroded inside, you'll probably have to completely strip it take the wire back to good wire and start again.
Once the thin wires get corroded they self destruct as soon as you move them, so it gets worse before it gets better.
Good luck, it is possible.

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[Gordonmc]

That being the case, is there any real advantage in the mushroom aerials over the little "After Eight" ones?
I have been using one of the latter plugged into a Garmin 45 handheld for nearly two years now. It sits under the sprayhood on a lump of bluetack and seems to work fine. I realise it will probably fall to bits at some point, but it they only cost a few sqids.

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[StugeronSteve]

You can probably hear the little GPS fairy rattling round inside, she's most likely fallen off her perch. That is how they work isn't it?

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo

 

[jhr]

The GPS Fairy

No. I think you'll find that the rattling sound is the rat going round in the treadmill, providing the energy to pump the coordinates down the wire to the display unit.

It sounds like the existing rat has died, in which case he needs to install a new one, preferably with WAAS/EGNOS capability pre-loaded. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[StugeronSteve]

Re: The GPS Fairy

Hang on that's ridiculous, if you don't mind me saying, the rat would eat the fairy, any fule kno that it's the fairy's pixie helper that makes the electricity.

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo

 

[Allegro]

Any more details (since its possible I'm in the market for a new antenna!). Searching for "after eight antenna" is not, I fear, going to help me to track it down!

Cheers
Patrick

<hr width=100% size=1>Sailing a Victoire 25 on the Scottish West Coast

 

[jhr]

The Curse of St Custard\'s

Anywun who beleeve in fairies and pixies is uterly wet, weedy and a worm, like Fotherington-Thomas. My frend Peason have a rat in his GPS so yar boo sucks /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[StugeronSteve]

Re: The Curse of St Custard\'s

Look here blabber mouth, my Missus would'nt go on the boat if she thought there was a rat in there so it's a b****y fairy OK.

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo

 

[jhr]

Re: The Curse of St Custard\'s

First time I've seen a fairy with a scaly tail and grey fur.... but your secret is safe with me /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

In an attempt to be helpful to the original poster, I think that if he goes to the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.garmin.com/marine/>Garmin</A> site and clicks on the appropriate model, there is a list of available accessories attached to it, including some for discontinued models. Difficult to be more constructive without knowing the model's chapter and verse.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[rjp]

Patrick,

Look on eBay under 'GPS antenna'. There are often several available.

John

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