Garmin 430W GPS Antenna Question

[dahugo]

Putting the final wiring touches on the panel of my RV-9A and just installed the GPS antenna. Every other GPS antenna I've ever seen had a BNC connector, and I paid no attention to the Garmin GPS antenna I installed on my RV.

Well, I finished running the coax, upon which I dutifully installed a BNC connector, and when I reached into the rear of the fuselage to attach it to the antenna, I was surprised to feel, and then see, some kind of screw on atenna connection on the Garmin GPS antenna.

What the heck is it? And do they make a converter for BNC to whatever-this-is?

[bullojm1]

The Garmin GA35 WAAS antenna has a TNC connector on it.


Many people sell the connectors. The crimp-on style is under $2 and available at Newark:

http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/produc ... B100000001

They do make BNC to TNC connectors also for about $3:

http://www.sjmediasystem.com/27-8250.html

I would recommend putting a crimp on style connector on the end, only because whenever you use a connector, the signal integrity is compromised slightly. For the best signal use the crimp on.

Also, the Garmin 430W requires a fixed length of cable between the antenna and the receiver. I think it is somewhere between 10-15'. It is spelled out in an installation manual somewhere. Just make sure you have enough.

[Bear Creek Aviation]

The Garmin will work ok with 8' feet, you may have problems below that. According to Steinair.
Terry