GPS signal - external antenna

The windscreen shields the sun's rays somehow. However it does it, it impedes gps signal (the etag has to be positioned in a small part of the windscreen that is clear). I run an ipad bluetoothed to Garmin Glo2. I thought I solved it with the re-radiating antenna but I think the gain it achieves is then lost in the cabling, but it is a passive re-radiating antenna.

Which window did you plant it on? If it was the windscreen, then you have precisely the same problem as you do with the direct signal. If You did mount it on the windscreen, try one of the other windows.

I have an antenna bracket which sticks out from the side of the bonnet and have double sided taped it there. Not an ideal position but its outside the car and in full view of the sky

Geoff, please drip feed us some more about your setup. Tell us about your antenna system. What is the brand and model of your system? Where does the 14db gain come from? Is it the antenna gain, or is there an amplifier involved? Is the in car unit a coil at the end of the coaxial cable or is it a proper resonant antenna.

Way back when hand held mobile phones were not particularly sensitive, there were similar devices sold for in car use with phones without antenna ports. The in-car unit was a coil that had to be placed behind the phones inbuilt antenna. If the coil was not in the right place, the external antenna was of not much use. Your device may be similar.

Peter, I guess drip feeding and dribbling come with age!!
The antenna is a Pro Gin SBG-190 Re radiating antenna (Taiwan)
The antenna specs are here: https://www.ja-gps.com.au/GPS-Express/re-radiating-gps-antenna

It is a passive re-radiating antenna, not an active re radiating antenna - ie there is no amplification and hence my original question - would an active re radiating antenna be worth a shot?
The in-car antenna is not a coil, it is about 100mm rod. The position of this is under the dash in the driver's footwell (and this position may be less than ideal - I assumed that once the signal was inside the car it would be picked up easily - proves I don't know much about gps!!)

thanks, Geoff

Since you have an external gps why not put it next to the re radiating antenna as a trial to see if it works. Since it's a Bluetooth connection there's no reason it couldn't be mounted in close proximity unless that causes attenuation to the Bluetooth signal.

Definitely worth a try thanks

Thanks Leigh - I have an ipad blue toothed to a garmin glo2. The external antenna should deliver gps signal to its antenna inside the car so in theory the garmin glo2 can sit anywhere. It works but not consistently enough.

Thanks Macca - I have a 2019 Discovery 5. Its windscreen is what LR call "solar attenuated" and I've never been able to find out exactly what that means!! I have run with a Hema HX2 on the dash under the windscreen for the last few years and its never worked consistently enough due to gps signal failure. That's why I am working on an external antenna as possible solution. The car's radio antenna is roof, rear, middle.

Geoff
WHY DIDN'T you tell us about the windscreen feature right at the beginning? having as much info as possible will help people to respond far better to what your situation is. Instead we get a drip feed of info as we go. Later we learn something which alters the intention of previous responses,

Is the reradiating unit under the bonnet near the receiving GPS antenna? sounds like it is. If so, it's signal will be stopped by bodywork.

To right RMD. If I was you I wouldn't bother.
Dave.

Apologies RMD I thought I had made it clear in my original post that the windscreen impeded the gps signal.
The antenna is on a bracket bolted to the bonnet so sits beside the bonnet with clear view of sky. The other end is inside the car under the dash at the footwell. In this position it should fill the cabin with signal - or so I thought??

Geoff.
Yes you did say it impeded the signal but didn't say why. Knowing you had such a screen and the properties of it would seem to be most important in this case. Having a windscreen with a membrane impregnated with some metallized particles or substance would do that. Same as wrapping the GPS in foil.
You cannot be serious with the reradiating antennae down in the footwell. Radio signals are straight lines and maybe some reflection in some instances. Perhaps have the reradiating antennae where it is LINE OF SIGHT to the GPS enabled pad so it can SEE the thing. Radio signals are not like a gas and fills/permeates every crevice of the volume. Just look at how Telstra misses places where you can SEE the tower..

But - I know other Disco 5 owners do not have this issue. They get GPS signals no problem at all.

Yes Ozzie , but do they have this special "solar attenuating" screen which I believe is optional ?

Apparently it works very well in keeping the interior temperature down.

Cheers
Jim

Opticool windscreens are standard.

OK.

Cheers
Jim

Ozzie & Jim
The solar attenuated screen is an option

Thanks Jim
This year I bought exploreoz maps, running on iPad through garmin glo2
Same issue

.
Hang on a bit Geoff. You repeatedly insist that you bought a "passive re-radiating antenna" yet you state it is a "Pro Gin SBG-190" and post the specs of same. Well these specs clearly show a cigar-plug power connector and the specs state "Power required: 10-13VDC".
That is NOT "passive". It needs battery power….. no wonder it does not work. What did you do with the power module?… just leave it hanging somewhere unconnected?

Allan you are correct - I had assumed it was a passive antenna because I had seen an active advertised with twice the gain of this one. Apologies! However it is wired into to Aux system. I had not made the connection between wiring it in and 'active'. My ignorance.