BCD436HP/BCD536HP: NMO style GPS for HomePatrol

[pbody]

I am working on an instal in my new car, I want to keep it clean and use NMO mounts for as much as possible. I notice there is several NMO GPS antennas out there however I can't seem to find any compatible GPS units that will connect to my bcd436hp

Does anyone have any experience with a clean instal for this, the Uniden GPS receiver looks like a rats nest of pointless wires.

 

[mmckenna]

The NMO GPS antennas are just that, an antenna.
You need the receiver. There are no NMO mount receivers, so you'd need a separate receiver that had a GPS antenna port. Then connect that to the NMOHF mount with a GPS antenna on it.

 

[pbody]

The NMO GPS antennas are just that, an antenna.
You need the receiver. There are no NMO mount receivers, so you'd need a separate receiver that had a GPS antenna port. Then connect that to the NMOHF mount with a GPS antenna on it.

that is exactly my problem. I can’t find any compact GPS receivers with an antenna port.

 

[mmckenna]

Dealing with the power/data connector is the challenge:

Garmin GPS 15x™ | Sensor

www.garmin.com

Other option is to purchase an old hand held GPS receiver that has an antenna port. You can connect the external antenna, and just take the data feed off the back of the GPS. You could probably find something used off e-Bay.

 

[donc13]

that is exactly my problem. I can’t find any compact GPS receivers with an antenna port.

That's because "modern" GPS receivers don't need an external antenna. They do fine just sitting on the dashboard or in cars with moon roofs, on the center console.

 

[pbody]

That's because "modern" GPS receivers don't need an external antenna. They do fine just sitting on the dashboard or in cars with moon roofs, on the center console.

Yup thats the part of the problem. I don't want to be able to see the gps receiver. Ideally it will be hidden down near my spare tyre.

 

[donc13]

Yup thats the part of the problem. I don't want to be able to see the gps receiver. Ideally it will be hidden down near my spare tyre.

And yet you want an NMO mount that requires a 3/4" hole in the vehicle's sheet metal.

To each their own. 😊

 

[pbody]

Holes can be avoided with a lip mount but if I’m drilling holes for the rest of my install what is one more?

 

[n3obl]

Main problem is most of the GPS for NMO is using another device as a receiver. the antenna wire runs to a GPS box somewhere in the vehicle that actually receives the signal.

 

[mmckenna]

Holes can be avoided with a lip mount but if I’m drilling holes for the rest of my install what is one more?

And it works well. But we are well aware there are those that will avoid doing a proper installation "at any cost".

Sure, sticking them on the dashboard works well enough. I've got one of my work trucks set up that way. "Good enough" is the description I'd use, but in some locations, it isn't.

Other work truck has a multiband/multifeed blade style antenna on the roof, one hole for 2 WiFi antennas, one GPS antenna and one LTE antenna.

If you want to drill a hole, then go for it. It looks better and works better. Other benefit is you can always reuse the NMO mount for another antenna. The GPS NMO antennas will require a 5 volt feed up the coax to run the amplifier. GPS receivers will supply that. Then feed the data output to your radio. It won't be easy to build this out, but that's part of the hobby. It's a fun project.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Holes can be avoided with a lip mount but if I’m drilling holes for the rest of my install what is one more?

It's one more when you could just put the GPS receiver on the dash or deck using velcro and eliminate one potential leak source completely.

 

[pbody]

It's one more when you could just put the GPS receiver on the dash or deck using velcro and eliminate one potential leak source completely.

I would much rather a properly installed, grommeted and siliconed nmo hole over some sticky residue on my dash and an ugly gps unit to look at or potentially have stolen.

 

[mmckenna]

It's one more when you could just put the GPS receiver on the dash or deck using velcro and eliminate one potential leak source completely.

Properly installed NMO mounts are not a leak source.

 

[JoeBearcat]

I understand what you are saying, but which is more likely to eventually develop a leak:

* A properly installed NMO mount
* A body panel with no holes

 

[cmjonesinc]

What's more likely to become a projectile in an accident

A gps laid or velcroed on a dashboard
An nmo antenna

 

[mmckenna]

I understand what you are saying, but which is more likely to eventually develop a leak:

* A properly installed NMO mount
* A body panel with no holes

Well, for me, neither. I've been installing NMO mounts for 30 years, never had one leak.
Running coax through a window or weather stripping will let water in. It can also damage the coaxial cable.

But, whatever people want. If someone doesn't want to drill a hole in their vehicle, it doesn't impact me. I've done a lot of them over the years, and the claims of "resale value" "Leaks" "sheet metal damage" are not true. Usually the faults that people claim permanent mount antennas cause are actually caused by the installer not following directions or not using the right tools.

 

[donc13]

What's more likely to become a projectile in an accident

A gps laid or velcroed on a dashboard
An nmo antenna

A scanner mounted in the front. Especially if within an airbag deployment area.

 

[freqseeker]

siliconed nmo hole

Please don't use silicone or any sealants on a nmo mount. That will almost certainly leak.

 

[dlwtrunked]

That's because "modern" GPS receivers don't need an external antenna. They do fine just sitting on the dashboard or in cars with moon roofs, on the center console.

Serious GPS receievers (rather than consumer grade) come with an external antenna connection.

 

[donc13]

Serious GPS receievers (rather than consumer grade) come with an external antenna connection.

Professional surveyor and L2/L5 gps receivers start at +$1,000 and rapidly go up from there and would provide zero additional benefit to a Uniden scanner.

For use as a "where am I" (L1 gps receiver) within 100 feet or so and that cost <$100 are fine for a scanner.