GPS Antenna

An antenna is NOT just an Antenna...   They have to be designed for specific Wavelengths & fine tuned to be as efficient as possible...   If not designed properly you could easily destroy the main unit...

You would be FAR AHEAD to BUY, if required, an antenna designed for the main unit...   IMHO...

You do NOT want to experiment with just any ole piece of wire.....  or other antenna...  IMHO...

Good Luck!   Looks interesting....    What does the unit do?   Display GPS measurements?

@witchdoc59 Can you show us a picture of what you received? The link you posted certainly shows an antenna. Depending on what 'Color' you clicked on when you purchased, you will get just an antenna for about $3 or $4, and if you click on the next 'colour', you get an antenna and a GPS module for closer to $10. Make sure you understand the different models, and I can tell you I have a different unit that came with both the antenna and board. Different boards will work as long as you match up the correct library. I assume you watched Bill's video and read his article about GPS.

@zander

  here is the picture of what I received.  And yes I've watched Bill's video a couple of times.  I've also been playing with a Beitien 880 but I'm getting strange results from it that make me think I may have a defective module.

@witchdoc59 Is the antenna on the other side?

@witchdoc59 As far as the B880, leave it running at least overnight as it likely was last on in China and it takes a while for it to figure out where it is now. I went through the same thing.

@zander

  There is the backside.  I'll hook it up to the computer and see if it's receiving anything but I thought I'd need the screw on antenna.

@witchdoc59 Nope, that's the antenna right there. Just carefully check to see if you can see a wire exiting the antenna block. If it is visible it should be connected somewhere likely at an IPEX connection.

@witchdoc59 BTW, I highly recommend to NOT add another antenna normally. The only time I would consider it is with a proper antenna, it has to be designed for GPS use. The only time you will need it is if the module is located somewhere that it can't 'see' the open sky.

@witchdoc59 You may need to change a jumper or add one. These are normally zero ohm resistors in an SMD form factor so you will need your best soldering skills. If you give me the part number I can see what is available. Also if you have the tech to take in focus close up photos of both sides so I can maybe see what the antenna termination looks like.

Hi @witchdoc59,

  Looking at the link you provided, it appears you have been sent a module with a different connector (SMA at a guess) to the other boards which appear to use the much smaller (IPEX , also at a guess) connector.

So if you did find an external antenna, you would need to ensure it had a compatible (SMA?) plug on the lead.

The antenna does need to be one intended for the same GPS usage if it is stand even a reasonable chance of picking up the incredibly weak GPS signal. A WiFi or (large) mobile phone or whatever may have a compatible plug, as that type of plug has been in professional usage for many decades, but the antenna is very unlikely to receive any useful signal.

As you can see, the most common GPS antennas are 'patch' antennas that are shaped like a thick postage stamp, but those in the pictures all seem to have the tiny IPEX connector.

I don't work in this field, so I can't suggest any products, but more 'robust' GPS antennas are made for applications like fitting to the top of a vehicle or structures, and the SMA connector suggests this module was expecting to be fitted in a box with the connector protruding for such applications. I have no idea of the cost of such antennas but I would expect them to be more than a pound or two implied in the link for the tiny patch antennas. (At a guess an SMA plug by itself would be more!!)

By contrast, the other units with the tiny IPEX would only be suitable for inside a box or other protective structure, where the cable etc. was fixed in position.

So whilst I can't recommend a product for the board you have, your cheapest solution might be a new board with antenna. Of course, if that is what you ordered, as the other options on the page include that choice, you might try getting a refund from AliExpress, providing it was only a short time ago.

Good luck, Dave

@witchdoc59 

. I've also been playing with a Beitien 880 but I'm getting strange results

I haven't played with these modules but for GPS in general, remember:

  GPS signal is very weak ... most building structures will make it extremely 'flakey' inside ... best starting outside, well away from buildings, trees, etc.

It can take a long time for a GPS to 'lock on' ... minutes certainly .. maybe hours I have seen mentioned ... if it knows the time and place, and has been used recently, then it 'can' have a good first guess as to what to look for. But starting from scratch, it has a needle in a haystack problem, trying a huge range of possibilities, until it finds a choice that resolves to a signal. Most GPS systems remember the last settings .. I don't know about these modules .. I would expect them to, but have no proof.

Some modules have the patch antenna on the back of the board .. in which case, that side has to be skyward facing.

Others may have more specific information for you. Good luck and please reply with any new tricks you learn.

Best wishes, daev