cheap NMEA gps antenna?

[manitu]

Hi folks.
After a near cathastrophic incident a coupple of days ago, I'm redesigning my Nav setup.

I've bought a geonav 11 flash for cheap , but with the antenna missing.

I'll order a proper GPS antenna, but after managing to destroy both gps solutions onboard + throwing the backup compass overboard with the water, I won't go to sea without 2 working solutions , + a handheld gps+vhf for each crewmember.

I got a USB gps and a small laptop with OpenCPN , but the stability of this is less than optimal to say the least.

So.. I'm looking for a cheap backup NMEA GPS antenna and found this link PS2 GPS mouse connector for Brookhuse NMEA Multiplexer


My guess is that it should be possible to use this method without the multiplexer? If I just cut off the ps2 plug , connect nmea wires directly to the chart plotter and use a voltage divider to supply the 5v VCC from the plotters auxillary 12V VCC output?

I'll use a GPS like this one http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...383334534.html
Any reasons it wont work?

.manitu

[edsailing]

Originally Posted by manitu

I got a USB gps and a small laptop with OpenCPN , but the stability of this is less than optimal to say the least.

I use a usb gps puck on an extension cable, a netbook and OpenCPN and it has performed flawlessly over 20K miles. I'd suggest you identify the problem and fix it rather than come up with what appears to be a complicated workaround.

[manitu]

Laptop with opencpn... Piece of ***** in a small sailboat.

Consumes too much power.
Unstable.. (anything wich depends on windows is by nature)
not waterproof (fixable but costs more than a USB puck)

The ps2 puck is even cheaper , I'll buy 3!
The voltage divider is one IC and costs like 20$
I got myself an 11" geonav plotter wich consumes 1/3 of the power my tiny computer needs...

I'll still keep the laptop , but not as primary or even secondary means of navigation.

Anyway , the question was not IF I should get a plotter and gps antenna , but if a cheap spare antenna is possible.


.manitu

[manitu]

come to think of it.. 12 to 5 VDC.. I'll just hack a car USB plug, like the one you use to charge your phone in your car with.. got a bunch lying around.

I'll have to try this, no biggie if it wont work but I hope it will.

.manitu

[toddbrsd]

I used the Garmin GPS 18 LVC to transmit coordinate data to my VHF. Here is the link to my post on Ericson website if you are interested.

GPS Antenna=

Good Luck

[EzzyD]

Originally Posted by manitu

Laptop with opencpn... Piece of ***** in a small sailboat.

Consumes too much power.
Unstable.. (anything wich depends on windows is by nature)
not waterproof (fixable but costs more than a USB puck)

The ps2 puck is even cheaper , I'll buy 3!
The voltage divider is one IC and costs like 20$
I got myself an 11" geonav plotter wich consumes 1/3 of the power my tiny computer needs...

I'll still keep the laptop , but not as primary or even secondary means of navigation.

Anyway , the question was not IF I should get a plotter and gps antenna , but if a cheap spare antenna is possible.


.manitu

OpenCPN works wonderfully with linux... or Mac. no need for windows...

[manitu]

Yeah, if linux magically makes the computer watertight and makes it consume 1/3 of the power we're on to something..... (pun intended)

try to keep on topic (cheap nmea GPS antenna)
I'll keep a computer with opencpn aboard, and it got it's own subforum.

.manitu

[manitu]

@Todd: THANKS!! missed your post at first. Just the info I needed!

I see that the optimal choice is the garmin 18, since it takes 5-18VCC + it sends 4800baud as standard.
A good nr.2 is the UsGlobalsat mr-350p as it is allso 4800 baud as standard, voltage is no biggie.
Others might pose some problems or inconvinience as they might need to be plugged into a computer to set the right baudrate..

.manitu

[barnakiel]

There is the Garmin GPS and then there are some less marketed equivalents. I used the newer Garmin recently and the signal, speed, etc. were all very good - the antenna mounted INSIDE the boat - in a place where the deck has no core.

Google some and you will find what you want. The Garmin (I think now it is number 18) is very good stuff, just a bit more expensive than others.

b.

[manitu]

Sorry if some of my answers comes out rude , but after seeing how fast the **** hits the fan when you dont know where you are in a critical situation, I'm in no mood to be told that my judgement of what's safe for me is wrong.

I'm going for a geonav chart plotter with globalsat mr-350p antenna + backup antenna,
2 x handheld waterproof GPS with compass and barometer, 100mm compensated magnetic compass, 2x army issue backup compasses, paper charts.. and a mini laptop for internet duties, wich might as well have OpenCPN and a usb-gps , just for fun.

.manitu