[Corkscrew]

A “GPS Signal Radiator” solved my problem with the S windscreen. Recently I bought a Garmin Street Pilot loaded with Thailand maps for use in Bangkok. The machine worked beautifully with my SLK but it couldn’t capture any of the orbiting satellites through the windscreen of our S Mercedes.

Yesterday I went over to Pantip Plaza in search of an external antenna and I found something that may be even better: a signal radiator. It is a small (5 cm x 5 cm or 2’ by 2’) magnet based external antenna that sends its GPS signals by an attached wire NOT directly to the Garmin but to a small rebroadcast antenna located inside the car. Thus there are no extra wires connected to the Garmin.

I want to find a more elegant way of connecting the external antenna to the internal rebroadcaster. Today to test it I ran the wire through the rear window. Perhaps I can feed the wire into the boot (trunk) via the space occupied by the refrigerator…if there is enough wiggle room. Then I could set the external antenna on the lid. I am not sure how tightly the lid closes to the chassis; I don’t want to damage the wire.

 

[RBs]

Perhaps you could run the cord through the slot for the fridge, and then attach it to the antenna which in turn could be attached upside down in the trunk. Will the GPS you are using pick-up a signal closed in the trunk (our military ones did).

 

[Corkscrew]

Perhaps you could run the cord through the slot for the fridge, and then attach it to the antenna which in turn could be attached upside down in the trunk. Will the GPS you are using pick-up a signal closed in the trunk (our military ones did).

Unfortunately, the external antenna needs a direct shot at the sky.

 

[RBs]

Well--- Hmmmm--- GOT IT!!!! First take a Dewalt drill with a .5" bit, then.....

 

[Jayhawk]

Nice looking "radiator!"

 

[chrisw140]

I have fitted one. You can feed the wire through by the back window, come out by the rear boot/trunk hinge, using the rear boot lamp, etc. You finish up with it in the centre of the boot/trunk lid, by the stop lamp.