In a message dated 03/09/2009 02:05:20 GMT Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
I bought a 3.6-V Trimble Bullet GPS antenna on ePay and wish to use it
with
my T-bolt. Rather than try to internally modify the T-bolt to provide a
3.6-V antenna feed, I decided to try to build an in-line dropping
adapter.
I seriesed two Si diodes inside a 100 pf tubular ceramic capacitor and
installed the shrink-wrapped assembly inside a salvaged BNC-M to BNC-F
coaxial
assembly. Unfortunately the completed assembly exhibits about a 4-to-1
VSWR when terminated in a 50 ohm load. Has anyone else tackled this
challenge?
The 3.6-V Trimble antenna has less gain than the 5-V version which makes
my planned antenna rcable run on the edge even without the high VSWR..
----------------------------
If you dont want to modify the T'bolt it would probably be easiest to
derive 3.6v from the 5v supply external to the T'bolt and feed that into
the
antenna line with a blocking T.
In the long run though it might be cheaper just to cut your losses and
sell
on the 3.6v version, buy a higher gain low cost 5v patch for now if you
don't already have one, and keep an eye out for a 5v bullet if that's
what
you really want.
regards
Nigel
GM8PZR
I believe all the Trimble Bullet II and III's are rated 35 db gain. Most had
"F" connectors and rated 5-volts. The "TNC" connector was the 3.3-volt
version.
All the Bullet II and III's (I've seen) are patch antennas in a "Bullet"
housing. I have seen both versions use both a cast aluminum base with 4
screws attaching base to dome and also a plastic base glued to the Bullet
dome.
As have been discussed, you can use a bias-t and inject 3.3 from a separate
supply or use a splitter such as the HP/Symmetricom 58535A and inject 3.3
from a separate supply on port 1. Both the Bias T and the splitter options
require an external 3.3-volt supply plus 50 to 100 bucks for either the T or
splitter.
By far the best solution would be to buy a 5-volt antenna.
If money is the problem, and you want a pole mountable outside antenna,
search for a Marine GPS antenna. They are available in 25 to 37 db gain and
can be had new for as little as 20 bucks. Most of the lower gain antennas
seem to be marketed as jam resistant.
Not recommended, but you could also replace the patch in the bullet antenna
if it is the "4-screw" version. There is a rubber o-ring seal that can be
rather tight but that is the only thing other than the 4 external screws
holding it together.
Phil
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