Remote GPS Antenna Installation
Instructions
WARNING
See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the
GPS device product box for product warnings and other
important information.
CAUTION
Always wear safety goggles, ear protection, and a dust mask
when drilling, cutting, or sanding.
NOTICE
When drilling or cutting, always check what is on the opposite
side of the surface.
This antenna can be installed to provide a stronger GPS signal
to a compatible Garmin
®
chartplotter. This antenna uses a BNC
connector to connect to the port labeled ANTENNA or EXT GPS
on a compatible Garmin chartplotter.
Antenna Mounting Considerations
You can mount the antenna on a flat surface, install it under
fiberglass, or attach it to a standard 1 in. OD, 14 threads per
inch, pipe-threaded pole (not included). You can route the cable
outside of the pole or through the pole. For optimal performance,
consider these guidelines when selecting the antenna mounting
location.
• To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, the antenna
should not be mounted closer to a compass than the
compass-safe distance value listed in the product
specifications.
• To ensure the best reception, the antenna should be
mounted in a location that has a clear, unobstructed view of
the sky in all directions
À
.
• The antenna should not be mounted where it is shaded by
the superstructure of the boat
Á
, a radome antenna, or the
mast.
• The antenna should not be mounted near the engine or other
sources of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
Â
.
• If a radar is present, the antenna should be mounted above
the path of the radar
Ã
. If necessary, the antenna may be
mounted below the path of the radar
Ä
.
• The antenna should not be mounted directly in the path of the
radar
Å
.
• The antenna should be mounted at least 3 ft. (1 m) away
from (preferably above) the path of a radar beam or a VHF
radio antenna
Æ
.
• On a sailboat, to prevent inaccurate speed readings caused
by excessive heeling, the antenna should not be mounted
high on the mast.
• The antenna provides more-stable readings when located
nearer to water level.
Testing the Mounting Location
1
Temporarily secure the antenna in the preferred mounting
location and test it for correct operation.
2
If you experience interference with other electronics, move
the antenna to a different location, and test it again.
3
Repeat steps 1–2 until you observe full or acceptable signal
strength.
4
Permanently mount the antenna.
Surface Mounting the Antenna
NOTICE
If you are mounting the bracket on fiberglass with screws, it is
recommended to use a countersink bit to drill a clearance
counterbore through only the top gel-coat layer. This will help to
avoid any cracking in the gel-coat layer when the screws are
tightened.
Stainless-steel screws may bind when screwed into fiberglass
and overtightened. Garmin recommends applying an anti-seize
lubricant to the screws before installing them.
Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the
mounting location for correct operation (
).
1
Using the surface-mount bracket
À
as your mounting
template, mark the three pilot-hole locations and trace the
cable-hole in the center of the bracket.
2
Set the surface-mount bracket aside.
Do not drill through the bracket.
3
Drill the three 3.2 mm (
1
/
8
in.) pilot holes.
4
Use a 25 mm (1 in.) hole saw to cut the cable hole in the
center.
2
Installation Instructions
