Does anybody have experience with generic antenna replacements for older chart plotters?
Installed in my boat when I bought it in 2007 was an early 2000's Standard Horizon GPS chart plotter CP150c. It wouldn't acquire the satellites. I tracked the problem down to a bad coax cable solder connection within the antenna. Several years ago, same fault occurred again. I restored function by re-soldering again. Then recently same issue. But I was a bit careless this time, plus one too many re-solderings. The circuit board in the antenna is now physically kaput. The head unit is still powering up fine. I have it linked to my VHF and ST4000+ autopilot. So am not inclined to give up on my chart plotter without a fight. So what to do?
On line, I am seeing listings for many "active" generic GPS antennas that have essentially the same specification as shown in my CP150 owner's manual. Mainly 3.0 - 5.0 volts (I did measure the volts today from the head unit antenna out. Yes = 5.0v). The generics have the same SMA connector, same RG174 cable type, same receiving frequency, etc, as in the CP150 owners manual.
Most are priced around $10 including shipping. From my perspective, certainly worth the risk of buying . A few "hits" for CP150 specific antennas are ~ $150.
Installed in my boat when I bought it in 2007 was an early 2000's Standard Horizon GPS chart plotter CP150c. It wouldn't acquire the satellites. I tracked the problem down to a bad coax cable solder connection within the antenna. Several years ago, same fault occurred again. I restored function by re-soldering again. Then recently same issue. But I was a bit careless this time, plus one too many re-solderings. The circuit board in the antenna is now physically kaput. The head unit is still powering up fine. I have it linked to my VHF and ST4000+ autopilot. So am not inclined to give up on my chart plotter without a fight. So what to do?
On line, I am seeing listings for many "active" generic GPS antennas that have essentially the same specification as shown in my CP150 owner's manual. Mainly 3.0 - 5.0 volts (I did measure the volts today from the head unit antenna out. Yes = 5.0v). The generics have the same SMA connector, same RG174 cable type, same receiving frequency, etc, as in the CP150 owners manual.
Most are priced around $10 including shipping. From my perspective, certainly worth the risk of buying . A few "hits" for CP150 specific antennas are ~ $150.
