GPS Antenna wire routing

[Tony Wilcox]

I have a GPS antenna to install, the chartplotter will be at the helm. I have a Dodger and Bimini . Anyone installed an antenna on the Biminni supports or anywhere else ? If so what route did the wire run from antenna to the plotter at the helm?Many thanksTony

 

[Rich McCue]

gps

I have a GPS at the helm. Tidewater installed it . The antenna is od the port top rail they ran the wire inside the rail it comes out in my stern locker then runs next to the steering cables up to the helm. I also have a dodger and bimini

 

[Don Alexander]

GPS Antenna

Tony,I suggest you choose a point to mount the antenna on the pushpit top rail close to the upright at the side of the walk through. Use a 1" screw type rail mount.Drill a hole to take the BNC connector in the transom close to the pushpit mounting foot. Note: this is reinforced with aluminium plate within the fibreglass but it does not matter if you drill through it. Ty-wrap or tape the cable down the upright.Run the cable through the locker to a point where the split cable sleeving leaves at the inboard forward end. Remove the cover over the steering quadrant and chase the GPS cable through this sleeving and up into the steering console. Then lead it to your instrument.You can do this on either side of the cockpit but the stbd side duct probably has less cables in it. Mine did.Seal the cable into the transom with silicone rubber and coil the spare cable neatly in, either the locker, or the console. Either way it will need protecting from being snagged.Its quite an easy job really.

 

[Steve Weinstein]

Been there, Done that.

Tony, According to what I've learned, most GPS antenna's are pushpit mounted for the least amount of roll. The higher they're mounted, the more they roll, and it's harder to acquire or keep the signals.I've got a pedestal guard (1") and I've mounted the GPS/plotter there. I ended up with the same pushpit solution as Don. The only difference is I removed the pedestal and drilled down through the guard mount. Drilled a hole at the top of the guard large enough to thread the tiny connector through, snaked it through (easy), silicone the hell out of the drilled hole where the antenna cable comes through, re-set the guard and you're done. The whole deal was about 40 minutes.

 

[Chuck Wayne]

GPS install

I did much the same on my 29.5: used std antenna mounts that clamp onto the pushpit rail, ran the cables (I had a differential unit)into the cockpit quarter locker, then up the steering cable tunnel to the pulpit. the BNC connectors are standard radio/computer network connectors (10B2 coax type) and you can cut them off, make much smaller holes in your boat, and crimp on new ones (or use the gold screww on ones (from WM) like I did