[dennis_99]

I am mounting an external GPS antenea and was looking for ideas. I don't have a T-Top yet, but plan on getting one soon, so I was thinking of a bracket mounted on top of the rail above the windshield. Any ideas, thoughts or pics?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Cat O' Lies]

external GPS antenna

Here is what I came up with.

 

[makoman2]

Here is what I came up with.

How long have you had that bracket attached? It looks like 3/16 aluminuim .If it is not very soft material it will crack at the brake due to vibration. You may want to ad a brace @ a 45 deg angle.

 

[Cat O' Lies]

I've had that bracket for a while, and it's not going to break. It would have by now, if you knew what conditions that boat has been in. The antenna is not heavy and the aluminum angle is more than strong enough to hold it to the console!

 

[dennis_99]

Thanks for the pic. So I guess the antenna does not have to be the highest point on the boat? Any problems with interferance?

 

[trout250]

I was told that you need to mount it as high as possible an without any thing obstructing it for more efficiency. Not a lot of experience with it on my part .

 

[Gottagofishin]

I don't thing a 3oz GPS anteana is going to crack that bracket unless you hit it with a hammer. LOL!

As long as it has an unobstructed view to the sky, it isn't going to have a problem reading the satellites. I fish on a Lake & Bay a couple of months ago that had the GPS anteanna surface mounted on the rear transom right next to the poling platform. It didn't have any problem with reception. Even at 60 mph.

Too answer your question though, I've fished on a number of boats that had the anteanna surface mounted on the top of the console. Usually in a front corner. If you stick it on with some double sided 3m tape it will stay for quite a while, That way you don't have any holes to worry about when you get your t-top.

 

[Cat O' Lies]

Height is not important. Unobstructed view of sky is! VHF antenna is a different story!

 

[21tv]

I bought one of the pvc anteana mounts, mounted on left hand side of top hand rail, so far so good

 

[dennis_99]

Where did you find that pvc anteana mount?

 

[mullet head]

I have had mine on the cc since I got it...no problems...oddly enough, I bought the bracket to mount it directly behind LMC 332C on the arm that puts it about 8" above the cc.

The plate I tried is the GPS adapter plate at the bottom with all the holes.
You can see it in the 2nd pic "original system with adapter plate".

Not sure why, but I kept losing the GPS signal!!

 

[dennis_99]

Thanks for all the help guys; I knew I could count on 2cool for advice/ideas...

DR

 

[Priority1]

My extra coax and antenna (same type as yours) is coiled and tie-strapped "underneath" the fiberglass console and has always worked perfectly. Never had any interference problems. Not sure about an aluminum console though…..that might cause interference.

 

[muleherder]

I just used one like this on the rail. Works good.

Find it here http://www.boatersworld.com/product/316030444.htm

 

[Cat O' Lies]

thats a nice mount, but i can make one for about $2.

 

[dennis_99]

muleherder,

That is the mount I used afterall. I found it last night at Academy for like $5 and it fit perfectly...

Thanks again to everyone for all the help. Hope to post pics soon.

DR

 

[muleherder]

Glad you found one. I hope it works out for you.

 

[DMC]

The antenna doesn't have to be the highest point on the boat. It's not line of sight like VHF, but satellite. Some people have them mounted under the console, some under poling platforms, some have the puck sitting on the console, much lower than other things on the boat. If you are getting a t-top, I wouldn't do any drilling on the boat. Just bracket mount it on the grab-rail and secure the cable with ties. That way you can remove it and be no worse for wear afterwards.