Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | I agree with protecting the antenna. However, I don't think anyone can say that GPS antenna location doesn't affect the ability to acquire satelites.
Given the size of the earth & the fact there are only 24 satelites, you are almost never going to see 12 satelites. But, you need to acquire 4 for best accuracy. I believe mounting the antenna in an unobstructed area is a good idea. Beside's why else would Humminbird include it in their instruction's?
Yesterday, I saw a Triton with the GPS antenna puck mounted on the gunnel, right beside the driver's console. The antenna had a 180 horizontal and 90 deg vertical view of the sky (50%). I wonder how his unit performs? BTW- it was a Lowrance.
The sat's are only transmitting at 50W, so it doesn't take much to block or severely attenuate the signal. Tree's & foilage can do it. Also bridges, buildings, or anything with enough mass, even the driver's console on a boat.....
http://www.pdhonline.org/courses/l116/l116content.pdf
Al |
