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- GPS Embedded Antenna SMA
Embedded antenna for small, mobile applications. Basic unpackaged antenna with LNA. 5inch cable terminated with standard male SMA connector. Match it with any SMA interface cable to create a truly small GPS prototype!
This unit works very well out of the box, but the fully packaged antennas have better strain relief where the SMA cable meets the antenna housing. If you plan on using this antenna in a vibration intensive application, we recommend you reinforce the connection with epoxy or Shoe Goo.
Check out our GPS buying guide!
- Gain 26dB
- VSWR <2.0
- Voltage 3.3V +/- 0.5V
- Current 12mA
- Weight 18g
GPS Embedded Antenna SMA Product Help and Resources
Copernicus II Hookup Guide
December 18, 2013
A guide for how to get started with the Copernicus II GPS module.
SparkFun GPS Breakout (ZOE-M8Q and SAM-M8Q) Hookup Guide
April 4, 2019
The SparkFun ZOE-M8Q and SAM-M8Q are two similarly powerful GPS units but with different project applications. We'll compare both chips before getting each up and running.
SparkFun GPS NEO-M9N Hookup Guide
December 19, 2019
The u-blox NEO-M9N is a powerful GPS unit that comes with a chip antenna, SMA connector, and u.FL connector. We will quickly get you set up using the Qwiic ecosystem and Arduino so that you can start reading the output!
Cellular Function Board - Blues Wireless Notecarrier
January 5, 2023
Add a global cellular module to your MicroMod project with the SparkFun Cellular Function Board - Blues Wireless Notecarrier. With this Function board you can not only send data to and from your MicroMod project, you can even update the firmware on the STM32 MicroMod Processor.
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Customer Reviews
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This antenna has a gain of 3 dB, not 26 dB. That would be directional as heck.
26 dB is the gain of the amplifier in this thing.
There is an LNA in it to increase the gain. Peak gain is 31 dB for the LNA and 3dBi for the antenna. For a result of 34 dB in best of cases.
So this will connect directly to the Venus GPS? http://www.sparkfun.com/products/11058
Yup. Pretty much.
Is there a way to check to see if this is defective? I've got it hooked up with the Venus and I'm not getting a fix. I tried giving it it's own power supply separate from the microcontroller to ensure it's getting enough current, and still nothing.
To verify if it works would require a VNA(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_analyzer_(electrical)) and check it's scaterring parrameters (S11) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scattering_parameters).
Which side should face up? The cloth side or the ceramic side?
Ceramic to the sky.
I've had an awful time trying to get a fix with this antenna. My hookup is with the Copernicus II module using an FTDI BOB, basically the same setup as in the hookup guide. I get valid NMEA sentences all day long but never a fix. I've tried with two different laptops (Macbooks both) in my back yard, porch, middle of an open-air park several miles away, for 10+ minutes at a time (with the ceramic side pointing skyward). I even sent the whole setup back to SFE, but customer support says they get a fix in 6-8 minutes and that's indoors. I'm totally at a loss. Any pearls of wisdom would be great. I'm in the DC/northern VA metro area.
Hmm, I'm not sure if TS tried powering it with a different supply, but you might want to check that. We've seen the lack of fix issue before due to insufficient current for the antennas.
Eureka! Sort of. Yes, apparently my back yard has a canyon effect. Switching locations and a separate power supply gives much better performance. That would be good to note in the hookup guide.
Good to hear you got it figured out! I'll get a note added to the hookup guide.
Thanks Toni_K, I've tried powering the setup several different ways, directly from the FTDI and separately. Either way, the module+antenna draws about 54mA and the result is the same.
That is mighty weird then. I'm not sure what to tell you. Especially if you sent your entire set up back to tech support and they were able to get it all working.
Will this work through a few mm of fiberglass? Trying to mount it inside an RC boat (the 1 meter long variety), and debating whether it needs to go outside the hull, or if it'll work inside. If it has to be outside, can I epoxy it down, or will getting it wet muck with things?
Mine seems to only work when placed on something metal outside(car, BBQ). Otherwise lock can take around 15 minutes. Is this normal?
Edit: It looks like the antenna is bad, the wire has to be held at an angle to make a connection. I shall contact Customer Service.
has anyone had luck with this antenna? I've tried using it with the venus GPS and can't seem to get a fix. If I use antenna GPS-00464 I get a fix however.
We use this antenna all the time with the Venus modules with great results. It sounds like you may have received a bad one. Sorry about that! Please contact our Customer Service department and they'll get you a new one.
is it compatible with Venus GPS? https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11058
Yup!
There is the center pin on SMA connector?
Can we use it for our mobile to catch signals in such rooms or places where mobile phone signals are weak? If yes then ok. If it is not then please recommend some other product for this purpose. which can be embedded in garments also
Is this the standard 50 Ohms?
Check in the datasheet... I had seen it in there on the second page...