Adapting a Garmin Traffic Receiver to car antenna?
DaveC
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?
Or...?
Ideas?
Thanks.
mpm
The car's antenna probably won't work better.
It is tuned for the FM band, not the GPS band (1.2 or 1.4 GHz, if
memory serves...?)
Also, many GPS antennas that I've played with have built-in
amplifiers, tuned to GPS spectrum, which your car antenna won't have.
Not saying it won't work -- but I would expect great performance.
DaveC
> It is tuned for the FM band, not the GPS band (1.2 or 1.4 GHz, if
> memory serves...?)
>
> Also, many GPS antennas that I've played with have built-in
> amplifiers, tuned to GPS spectrum, which your car antenna won't have.
>
> Not saying it won't work -- but I would expect great performance.
Maybe I should explain a little...
The FM Traffic service is a supplementary broadcast subscription service
using some sub-carrier of the FM broadcast band (88-108 MHz). It carries
traffic "events" information (accidents, roadwork, etc.). The receiver is
located within the cigarette-lighter power adapter, and the antenna is in the
6-foot cable between the adapter and the plug that attaches to the GPS
cradle.
So we're talking broadcast band here, not GPS band.
Rich Webb
I think he's looking for a solution to the "live traffic update" option
and not the GPS signal itself. Traffic info (at least in CONUS) is
carried on the FM spectrum as a side channel to one or more local
stations.
I've got one of these gizmos also (came with the GPS) and from the looks
of it I'd hesitate to slice into it. It might be enough to just wrap a
few turns of wire around it and connect the free end of the wire to the
car's antenna lead. You're only interested in traffic info from local
stations, which are probably strong enough to work with this.
--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
ps56k
"mpm" <mpmi...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:8cf11ff0-9d6c-486b...@c5g2000vbh.googlegroups.com...
On Feb 23, 3:25 pm, DaveC <inva...@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);
huh ?
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" ?
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.
If you are looking for using an external GPS antenna - that is a totally
different question.
mpm
Oh. I didn't understand what you were trying to get at.
I have a broadcast background.
The correct term for what you are talking about is "RDS"
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Data_System
Not familiar with your Nuvi GPS (Mine is an old Garmin III, but hey,
it still does everything I need it to -- and a few things the newer
models DON'T do!!)
Since I'm not familiar with yoru GPS, I'll gracefully bow out now....
Good luck!
-mpm
Rich Webb
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.
artie
<0001HW.C7A979C3...@news.eternal-september.org>, DaveC
<inv...@invalid.net> wrote:
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.
ps56k
"Rich Webb" <bbe...@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote in message
news:evo8o5pank0carhhj...@4ax.com...
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
ps56k
"DaveC" <inv...@invalid.net> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C7A979C3...@news.eternal-september.org...
> Garmin makes an "integrated" FM traffic info receiver for some models of
> GPS
> that allows connection to the car's AM/FM antenna.
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...
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 is a bit confusing - even have the GTM-20 listed twice,
but with different hardware features...
RFI-EMI-GUY
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
DaveC
> 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.
DaveC
> 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.
DaveC
> 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).
ullim
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.
JDG
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.
Rich Webb
>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.
Thibaud Taudin Chabot
for receiving the traffic messages.
Thibaud
Steve Stone
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
Bart!
wrote:
What is so goddamned difficult about simply buying a GPS antenna, which
BTW, you retarded, overtly cross-posting twit, makes the device properly
accurate?
Gene E. Bloch
Because that's not what they are talking about. As stated in the posts
and in the subject line, they are talking about the traffic receiver,
which uses FM radio signals.
--
Gene Bloch 650.366.4267 lettersatblochg.com
krw
You have to understand AlwaysWrong. He's *always* wrong.
Bart!
<let...@someplace.invalid> wrote:
Then, the device should have a separate antenna port.
Gene E. Bloch
He posted a reply to my post about the same time you did. I am beginning to
see what you mean.
Also, I hadn't looked at his headers before - a serious misstep on my
part...
--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
Steve Stone
>
> What is so goddamned difficult about simply buying a GPS antenna, which
> BTW, you retarded, overtly cross-posting twit, makes the device properly
> accurate?
Bart, you old fart.....
This is not a GPS frequency.
Traffic data is piggy backed on broadcast band FM frequencies.
An external GPS antenna won't do squat to fix this issue.
You need more fiber in your diet.
Have a nice day!
Steve Stone
>
> Then, the device should have a separate antenna port.
It should but it does not.
It plugs into the USB port on the back of the GPS.
The USB port is used to data signal and power to recharge the built in
battery.
the cable is wired like this
12 VDC power plug,
A couple of inches of DC power cord to an approx. 2 inch oblong FM receiver
From the FM receiver 2 cables go to the GPS USB port, one is data/power,
the other is used as a broadcast band FM antenna , hanging inside your car.
Hacking the assembly would require cracking open the sealed FM receiver
without damaging the device, figuring out where the antenna wire input
is located, and soldering in an antenna input jack and an A/B switch ,
sealing up the unit (voiding any warranty).
Do you suggest I put the device in my shop vice,
apply pressure till it cracks open or turns to shrapnel, or dig out the
dremel tool?
I prefer inductive coupling to hacking a device still under warranty.
Steve
73 de N2UBP
Bart!
wrote:
>Bart! wrote:
I prefer contacting the manufacturer to guesswork.
JDG
If you'd followed the thread you would know that the manufacturer has
been singularly unhelpful/useless - thus the need to draw on the
collective wisdom of the group. Look and think before you jump in, and
try to contirubute courteously.
Herbert John "Jackie" Gleason
wrote:
IF you were a cop, your orders would STILL get ignored, jackass.
One must be persistent when talking to a product maker, and spouting
your intentions from the start is also a stupid move.
I'd bet that I would be able to get info from them.
Rich Webb
wrote:
>Bart! wrote:
You must be new here. This month the kill-file log shows that he is
using the following aliases, sorted by number of entries. Better to just
ignore him. Don't feed the trolls and all that...
1: CellShocked <cells...@thecellvalueattheendofthespreadsheet.org>
1: VioletaPachydermata
<PurpleE...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
2: Abbey Somebody <abno...@castlefrankenstein.org>
2: SoothSayer <SayS...@TheMonastery.org>
2: TralfamadoranJetPilot
<BillyP...@thebigbarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
3: "Massiv...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org"
<Massiv...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
4: Bungalow Bill <Bugal...@AbbeyRoad.UKCOM>
4: Pieyed Piper <pieye...@thebongshopattheendoftheuniverse.org>
6: UltimatePatriot <Ultimat...@thebestcountry.org>
8: Lil Red Riding In The Hood
<lilredridi...@grandmashouseattheendoftheuniverse.org>
8: TheJoker
<Leonardoofthe...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
11: Son of a Sea Cook <NotaBr...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
15: Mycelium <myce...@thematrixattheendofthemushroomstem.org>
17: AwlSome Auger <AwlSom...@BuyOneGetOneFree.org>
17: Bart! <B@rt_The_Sheriff_Is_A_Nig***!.org>
21: "Herbert John \"Jackie\" Gleason"
<BufordT...@Texarkanacops.gov>
21: Capt. Cave Man <ItIsSoEasyAC...@upyers.org>
25: StickThatInYourPipeAndSmokeIt <Zarat...@thusspoke.org>
34: Archimedes' Lever <OneBi...@InfiniteSeries.Org>
40: FatBytestard <FatByt...@somewheronyourharddrive.org>
413: life imitates life <past...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
IAmTheSlime
You're a goddamned liar, boy. I haven't used half of those, so your
precious filter must be catching others' responses as well.
You really are about as retarded as it gets, bub.
Michael A. Terrell
Here is a list, in alphabetical order.
THE DIMBULB SCORECARD
Abbey Somebody <abno...@castlefrankenstein.org>
AnimalMagic <Anima...@petersbackyard.org>
Archimedes' Lever <OneBi...@InfiniteSeries.Org>
AtTheEndofMyRope <AtTheEnd...@AtTheEndofMyRope.org>
AwlSome Auger <AwlSom...@BuyOneGetOneFree.org>
Bart! <B@rt_The_Sheriff_Is_A_Nig**!.org>
BigBalls <BiggestB...@thebigbarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
BillyPilgrim <BillyP...@thebigbarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
Bungalow Bill <Bugal...@AbbeyRoad.UKCOM>
Capt. Cave Man <ItIsSoEasyAC...@upyers.org>
CellShocked <cells...@thecellvalueattheendofthespreadsheet.org>
ChairmanOfTheBored <RUB...@crackasmile.org>
Chieftain of the Carpet Crawlers
<thesli...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
Corbomite Carrie <Corb...@maneuver.org>
DarkMatter <DarkM...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
DarkSucker <DarkS...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
Do I really need to say? <ra...@thescree.org>
Dorothy with the Red Shoes on <Dor...@notinkansas.org>
Dr. Heywood R. Floyd <Hey...@thebarattheendofthemonolith.org>
FatBytestard <FatByt...@somewheronyourharddrive.org>
FunkyPunk FieldEffectTrollsistor <FunkShun...@yermomma.org>
FunkyPunk FieldEffectTrollsistor <FunkShu...@yermomma.org>
George Orr <Gerg...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
GoldIntermetallicEmbrittlement
<GoldIntermetall...@youdontknowjack.org>
Hattori Hanzo <Outint...@billsbackyard.org>
Herbert John \Jackie\" Gleason" <BufordT...@Texarkanacops.gov>
HiggsField <higgd...@whutthableapduyoukno.org>
IAmTheSlime <TheSlimeFr...@oozingacrossyourlivingroomfloor.org>
ItsASecretDummy <secreta...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
Jupiter Jaq <Jupit...@BuyOneGetOneFree.org>
Kai <k...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
LargeMarge <Large...@thetentwoposition.org>
life imitates life <past...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
Lil Red Riding In The Hood
<lilredridi...@grandmashouseattheendoftheuniverse.org>
lurch <lu...@yourangcousinitslibrary.org>
MadManMoon <TheWholePl...@hereandnow.org>
MakeNoAttemptToAdjustYourSet <DoNotAttemptT...@anytime.org>
Massiv...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org
<Massiv...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
MeowSayTongue <MeowSa...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
Mr.Eko <ekoint...@lostisland.org>
Mr. Haney <mrh...@thebarattheendofthefarmroad.org>
Mycelium <myceli...@underyourshrooms.org>
Mycelium <myce...@thematrixattheendofthemushroomstem.org>
Neanderthal <da...@gottafindawomanrighton.org>
OutsideObserver <Stand And Del...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
Pieyed Piper <pieye...@thebongshopattheendoftheuniverse.org>
Phat Bytestard <PhatBy...@getinmahharddrive.org>
RoyLFuchs <RoyL...@urfargingicehole.org>
scorpius
<scor...@thewormholethatemptiesontheothersideoftheuniverse.org>
SkyPilot <some...@theedgeofspace.org>
SomeKindOfWonderful
<SomeKindO...@allthegirlsintheworldbeware.org>
Son of a Sea Cook <NotaBr...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
SoothSayer <SayS...@TheMonastery.org>
Spurious Response <Spurious...@cleansignal.org>
StickThatInYourPipeAndSmokeIt <Zarat...@thusspoke.org>
Sum Ting Wong <SumTi...@thebarattheendoftheVenusianLightnigBolt.org>
Sum Ting Wong
<SumTi...@thebarattheendoftheVenusianLightnigBoltmonolith.org>
SuspendedInGaffa <suspende...@kateshouse.org>
The Great Attractor
<Sup...@ssiveBlackHoleAtTheCenterOfTheMilkyWayGalaxy.org>
TheGlimmerMan <justag...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
TheJoker <Leonardoofthe...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
The Keeper of the Key to The Locks
<TheL...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
TheKraken <ReachUpandSuckYo...@yup.org>
The Last Mimsy <mi...@TheOtherSideoftheLookingGlass.org>
TheQuickBrownFox <thequick...@overthelazydog.org>
The Loner <TheL...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
TralfamadoranJetPilot <BillyP...@thebigbarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
TutAm...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org
<TutAm...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
UltimatePatriot <Ultimat...@thebestcountry.org>
UpGrade <UpG...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
UpYerNose <UpYe...@witarubbahose.org>
ValleyGirl <LuvYe...@LikeIWouldGiveIt.Comeon>
VioletaPachydermata <PurpleE...@thebarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
WallyWallWhackr <wallywa...@thematrixattheendofthemushroomstem.org>
100WattDarkSucker <100WattD...@thebigbarattheendoftheuniverse.org>
--
Greed is the root of all eBay.
Bart!
<mike.t...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
> Here is a list, in alphabetical order.
That is not what he listed, dumbfucktard.
His list was supposedly those I used last month.
The problem is that he is almost as full of shit as you are, if that is
even possible.
Son of a Sea Cook
<mike.t...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> Here is a list, in alphabetical order.
The numeric would be at the front of the list, idiot.
You cannot even get something so simple as alphabetization right!
Bwuahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!
DaveC
> 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 USA there are 2 versions of the GTM20. One has a continuous cable
between the traffic receiver / power plug, and the GPS connector. The latest
version of the GTM20 has a bulge in the cable near the GPS connector which
also includes a small hole that accepts an external antenna (FM I presume,
not GPS, although the instructions don't say explicitly). It's a 3.5 mm jack
I think.