41DS GPS Antenna Location

[dkinzer]

Our new-to-us 2007 41DS is outfitted with mostly Raymarine electronics:
E80 Classic Chart Plotter
ST60+ Speed, Depth and Wind
ST7002 Auto-pilot with S3 Course Computer
RD418D Radar
and
Em-trak R300 AIS receiver with an S100 VHF splitter/combiner

I suspect that the radar and the AIS receiver were added by a previous owner post-delivery while the rest of the equipment is probably original to 2007.

Today, I spent some time figuring out how all of these are interconnected which was productive (and spawned some upgrade ideas) but the exercise led me to wonder where GPS fixes are being calculated. I haven't seen anything anywhere that I would identify as a GPS antenna but I know that it is possible that the E80 or the S3 might have an internal GPS antenna.

Can anyone give me a clue as to where GPS fixes are being calculated and where a GPS antenna might be located?

 

[Nodak7]

Ours is mounted on the Cabin top right above the Nav Station. Looks like a mushroom.

 

[sail sfbay]

My Hunter 46 has a E120 at the helm and E80 at the navigation station with a gps receiver (antenna) located outside of the starboard gunnel adjacent to the cockpit tied onto the navigation displays through Seatalk. Your gps reciever could be located wherever the electronics contactor decided to install it.

 

[dkinzer]

Looks like a mushroom.

Thanks. Yes, I'm familiar with the mushroom-like GPS antennae as well as the more nondescript square or rectangle antennae. So far, I haven't spotted anything on our boat that I would characterize as a GPS antenna. I'll continue to search.

 

[Brian D]

As you may know, GPS antenna/receiver can be as small as a USB flashdrive. So it really could be anywhere. It might even be up on the spreader, or below decks. In my boat (not a Hunter) my GPS for my VHF is a Garmin handheld which is right next to the radio, which is below decks and works just fine. I have even used a hockypuck GPS antenna/receiver attached to the roof of my coachroof. But like you mentioned, it very well could be embedded within one of the equipment.

 

[Sailgunner]

Most MFDs have the GPS built in. Don't know about your E80.

 

[MFD]

On my 2009 Hunter 41DS - the GPS is a little white mushroom unit, about 4" circular, on the deck on the aft port quarter.

 

[dkinzer]

I did finally find it - mounted on the deck at the starboard quarter near the shore power inlet. I think that it is probably a RayStar 125 although it might be a 120.