Help finding older Ray Marine rail mount GPS sensor

[rfrye1]

The mushroom shaped dome the screws onto the rail mount on my '98 Hunter finally cracked. It's an old system and redundant, but useful in a pinch. Does anyone have clue where to find a replacement? I've looked on EBay, but can't find one.
Thanks. Bob

 

[rardiH36]

I encountered the same type of issue several months ago. And started a SBO thread asking for info. Below is the URL to it.

If you have the original GPS manual, the spec page is likely to have the connector type. And also will specify the voltage that the head unit supplies to the antenna. (mine was 5v). Following the advice from a forum member that a generic replacement should work, I bought one on eBay. For about $7.50 including shipping. I was able to mount the new antenna underneath the cockpit coaming forward of my primary winch, rather than out in the weather. Works great!

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...or-an-older-chartplotter.179772/#post-1304401

And here is the url for the generic antenna I bought.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141788621413

 

[rfrye1]

Thanks Rardi, great help. Quick question. Was the connection of the new antenna a "plug & play" or did it require more wiring? Co-axial, or the standard 4 wire NEMA setup?
Thanks. Bob.

I encountered the same type of issue several months ago. And started a SBO thread asking for info. Below is the URL to it.

If you have the original GPS manual, the spec page is likely to have the connector type. And also will specify the voltage that the head unit supplies to the antenna. (mine was 5v). Following the advice from a forum member that a generic replacement should work, I bought one on eBay. For about $7.50 including shipping. I was able to mount the new antenna underneath the cockpit coaming forward of my primary winch, rather than out in the weather. Works great!

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...or-an-older-chartplotter.179772/#post-1304401

And here is the url for the generic antenna I bought.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141788621413

 

[rardiH36]

Hello rfrey1:

Comparing your opening post to your next reply, I see that I just assumed that the mushroom only was a GPS antenna. Nothing more. But by your next question, maybe there is more to the thing? Such as also being a NEMA device.

Anyway, mine was a mushroom type GPS antenna only that failed on my circa 2003 Standard Horizon 150 GPS + Chart Plotter. And the $7.50 eBay device was a perfect replacement (actually an improvement!). The original antenna and new antenna connect to my Standard Horizon display/head unit. Just a simple matter of screwing into the antenna input of my chart plotter. In my case, it's the chart plotter head unit, not the antenna, that then interfaces with other instruments and my Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot. One thing to note is that the GPS "antenna" units are more than just a passive antenna. Inside is a circuit board with micro chips that need a supply voltage to operate. In my case (and I suspect most cases) the supply voltage is transmitted via the 2 wire (center+ and shielding-).

Attached is a picture of the coaxial connector and wire of my generic eBay GPS antenna. There are several types of generic coax connectors. You will have to do your own sleuthing.

But if you have four wires in your connector to the mushroom then it is more than a GPS antenna and I don't have the knowledge to assist.

Hope this helps a bit your sleuthing towards a solution.

 

[rfrye1]

Thanks Rardi. Headed down to the boat tomorrow to take a closer look at the setup. I'm pretty sure the old ST6000 system may still use that GPS when I don't have my Chartplotter mounted on my pedestal.
Many Thanks. B