On 2/23/2010 10:05 PM, ps56k wrote:> "Rich Webb"<bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote in message > news:evo8o5pank0carhhjd8664l8iqm82gclcb@4ax.com... >> On Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:25:39 -0800, DaveC<invalid@invalid.net> wrote: >> >>> Garmin makes an "integrated" FM traffic info receiver for some models of >>> GPS >>> that allows connection to the car's AM/FM antenna. But not my model (Nuvi >>> 660); I must use only the GTM20, a cigarette-lighter-powered model: >>> >>> <https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=403> >>> >>> Benefits of using the car's antenna are mostly stealth: the >>> cord-that-is-the-antenna between the cigarette lighter (which will be >>> relocated inside the glove box) and the GPS plug that lays on the >>> dashboard >>> makes for an advertisement to crooks. And the car's antenna would, >>> arguably, >>> work better. >>> >>> What are my options re. adapting the GTM20 to work with the car's antenna? >>> Could this be as simple as splicing in a motorola antenna plug to the >>> cable? >> >> Belay my last... It looks like the newer GTM-20 models do in fact have >> a receptacle for a connector to an external antenna. Mic'ing it out, the >> diameter looks like it takes a 1/8" plug (3.5 mm is too large). The >> (fuzzy) picture in the manual shows just a tip/ring configuration >> (reasonable for an antenna) and claims that it's available at the Garmin >> store. Their store search is abysmally bad, though, so if it's even >> there it'll take patience finding it. >> >> -- > > Where is the antenna connector you are talking about ? > > This photo shows the 12v DC tubular connector - with the 12v center pin > contact - > https://buy.garmin.com/shop/alt-image-lg.do?pID=403&img=productImageLarge > and going to the special 18-pin flat connector for the GPS > https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=403#specsTab > > > >On my Garmin with the GTM-25(?) receiver, there is a boxy looking dongle in the cable and on the side of that box a small almost invisible hole for the antenna. Bear in mind if you try to splice this antenna into the FM/AM antenna on your car, it is very likely the AM sensitivity will go to heck due to impedance mismatch. If you have an XM/Sirius, the satellite might even be muxed onto that cable with DC power for the satellite radio preamplifier. My theory is that the urbanized locations where I am likely to need the RDS traffic receiver, there will be sufficient FM broadcast signal coverage footprint. I am going to do like another poster suggested and route the GTM-25 cable horizontally under the dash pad and install a switched accessory outlet under the dashboard. -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"� "Use only Genuine Interocitor Parts" Tom Servo ;-P
Adapting a Garmin Traffic Receiver to car antenna?
Started by ●February 23, 2010
Reply by ●February 24, 20102010-02-24
Reply by ●February 24, 20102010-02-24
> The "integrated" FM antenna (for traffic info) > is located inside the power adapter module, > and does not connect to anything else besides the GPS mini-USB. > https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=203 > > Exactly what product connects to "the car's FM antenna" ?<https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6395#accessoryTab> The different pigtail connectors (scroll down) adapt the receiver to the car's antenna.> In case you think the GPS receives location info via that FM module, > it does not.... it is only for traffic info from the radio stations.Yes I know.
Reply by ●February 24, 20102010-02-24
> I wired the receiver for my 680 to an accessory jack that's switched > with other stuff; it's hidden, and the cord to the 680 runs under the > dash. Everything works well, with the wiring hidden.My original question is how to tap the FM traffic receiver into the car's radio antenna.
Reply by ●February 24, 20102010-02-24
> All of these receivers have the Traffic FM receiver module embedded in the > DC adapter, on inline on the power cable - > > https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=203 > > AND - as per the manuals - > some DO HAVE a special connector for an external antenna > which in the manual appears to be located directly on the inline module...As far as I could find, only the GTM10 is listed as requiring "professional installation" (ie, having capability of using the car antenna and/or power from other than the cigarette lighter): <https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6395#accessoryTab> All others use some kind of cigarette-lighter power adapter and have it's own antenna.> In looking over this list - and actually downloading the manuals, > it's hard to tell the difference between them - > and the "18-pin flat plug" is for those special CRADLE mounts, > while others are for the mini-USB on the GPS itself...It's the cradle-mount FM receiver / power adapter that is unique to the 660 and is found only in the GTM20.> It is a bit confusing - even have the GTM-20 listed twice, > but with different hardware features...In a conversation with Garmin tech support, I learned that there are 2 GTM-20 receivers: pn 010-00544-01 and pn 010-00544-13. The only difference is that the -13 comes with lifetime traffic service and the -01 comes with a trial service (6-months or 10 months -- both were offered).
Reply by ●February 24, 20102010-02-24
> Where is the antenna connector you are talking about ?Hmm the GTM-25 shipped with my 1490T has a stereo mini-jack plug for antenna cable (included in the package) on the side of the receiver.
Reply by ●February 24, 20102010-02-24
On Feb 24, 12:03=A0pm, "ullim" <dataf...@virgilio.it> wrote:> > Where is the antenna connector you are talking about ? > > Hmm the GTM-25 shipped with my 1490T has a stereo mini-jack plug for ante=nna> cable (included in the package) on the side of the receiver.There is a fundamental difference between the two traffic receivers which support the Nuvi 660: GTM-20 - US-only with no external aerial - and the cognate GTM-21 - Europe only, with plug-in wire aerial. Living in the UK, I have the external receiver for my StreetPilot 2780, external wire aerial for Nuvi 710T (cradle mount) and Nuvi 1490T (mini USB connection) (don't ask - but keeping the maps updated is an expensive exercise); my guess is that US local FM stations are powerful enouigh not to need a separate aerial, and the signal will indeed be picked up by the connecting lead. Only experimentation will show how much of this has to be 'visible' for it to work.
Reply by ●February 24, 20102010-02-24
On Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:51:45 -0800, DaveC <invalid@invalid.net> wrote:>It's the cradle-mount FM receiver / power adapter that is unique to the 660 >and is found only in the GTM20. > >> It is a bit confusing - even have the GTM-20 listed twice, >> but with different hardware features... > >In a conversation with Garmin tech support, I learned that there are 2 GTM-20 >receivers: pn 010-00544-01 and pn 010-00544-13. The only difference is that >the -13 comes with lifetime traffic service and the -01 comes with a trial >service (6-months or 10 months -- both were offered).From what I can tell, the two parts that are labeled GTM-20 are also physically different. The original, with the 6/10 month trial, had a uniform cord between the 12 V plug and the GPS-side connector. The newer one, with the lifetime subscription, has a molded section near the GPS terminus which includes the receptacle for an external antenna connector. -- Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
Reply by ●February 24, 20102010-02-24
DaveC schreef:>> I wired the receiver for my 680 to an accessory jack that's switched >> with other stuff; it's hidden, and the cord to the 680 runs under the >> dash. Everything works well, with the wiring hidden. > > My original question is how to tap the FM traffic receiver into the car's > radio antenna. >Is the VIB11 from Garmin the solution for you? It uses the carantenna for receiving the traffic messages. Thibaud
Reply by ●February 27, 20102010-02-27
A few days ago I picked up a Garmin NUVI 285WT for $100 from Amazon.com I was configuring it indoors and trying to activate the MSN traffic service 9 month trail. I could not get a good enough signal indoors so I connected a piece of coax to the wall jack leading to our outdoor TV antenna, put a jumper wire with an alligator clip on the inner wire of the coax and wrapped the jumper wire around the NUVI power cord (which includes the traffic receiver) and the signal strength increased to 100 percent, all bars lit green, allowing me to activate the traffic software. I wonder if a similar technique would work with a car radio antenna? Steve
Reply by ●February 27, 20102010-02-27
On Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:55:26 -0500, Steve Stone <n2ubp@hotmail.com> wrote:>A few days ago I picked up a Garmin NUVI 285WT for $100 from Amazon.com >I was configuring it indoors and trying to activate the MSN traffic >service 9 month trail. >I could not get a good enough signal indoors so I connected a piece of >coax to the wall jack leading to our outdoor TV antenna, put a jumper >wire with an alligator clip on the inner wire of the coax and wrapped >the jumper wire around the NUVI power cord (which includes the traffic >receiver) and the signal strength increased to 100 percent, all bars lit >green, allowing me to activate the traffic software. I wonder if a >similar technique would work with a car radio antenna? > >SteveWhat is so goddamned difficult about simply buying a GPS antenna, which BTW, you retarded, overtly cross-posting twit, makes the device properly accurate?
