GPS antenna for factory nav radio
GPS antenna for factory nav radio
I've been thinking about upgrading the non-nav radio in my SRT to the factory nav system. Of course, almost everyone selling one of these radios does not include the GPS antenna because it's too hard to get to/don't know where it is/too lazy to remove. As the lack of a GPS antenna is a common stumbling block with this upgrade, I thought I'd do some research on antenna options.
I learned that the factory antenna is a Wisi AG 13 made in Germany by Wisi. It is an active antenna with a standard SMA male connector. The data sheet says it's "compatible with all common systems." So, that implies that the nav head unit doesn't require some kind of proprietary antenna. A general-purpose GPS antenna should work.
As is often suggested by sellers of antenna-less nav units, I called my local Chrysler dealer and asked if I could order the GPS antenna. The dealer said no. He could sell me the $2,000 radio which would include an antenna but he couldn't order just the antenna. As we know, dealer quality varies widely so perhaps others have had better luck. For me, the "just call your dealer and order a replacement for $60" plan doesn't work.
I called Becker North America and asked if they could get me a Wisi AG 13. The friendly operator said he could sell me a GPS antenna that he guaranteed would work with the Becker Traffic Pro from the Crossfire for $59.95. He said it's not an AG 13 but it will work. This is my second clue that we don't need a proprietary GPS antenna for these units.
So, I started looking for possible third-party antenna options. I think the Titan III might work. It is a universal antenna and you can buy a male SMA adapter for it. Its electrical characteristics are roughly equivalent to the AG 13 except it draws less current. The AG 13 draws 18 mA but the Titan only draws 7 mA. Otherwise, it has the same impedance and signal gain with a wider operating voltage (so it should operate at whatever voltage the Becker unit offers). Unfortunately, the Titan III is more expensive than the Becker antenna. I'm not sure if it will work as I haven't tried it but it seems like it should.
Please provide any comments or corrections to what I've written here. I think if we can come up with a standard, easy solution to the missing GPS antenna problem, it would help both buyers and sellers.
I learned that the factory antenna is a Wisi AG 13 made in Germany by Wisi. It is an active antenna with a standard SMA male connector. The data sheet says it's "compatible with all common systems." So, that implies that the nav head unit doesn't require some kind of proprietary antenna. A general-purpose GPS antenna should work.
As is often suggested by sellers of antenna-less nav units, I called my local Chrysler dealer and asked if I could order the GPS antenna. The dealer said no. He could sell me the $2,000 radio which would include an antenna but he couldn't order just the antenna. As we know, dealer quality varies widely so perhaps others have had better luck. For me, the "just call your dealer and order a replacement for $60" plan doesn't work.
I called Becker North America and asked if they could get me a Wisi AG 13. The friendly operator said he could sell me a GPS antenna that he guaranteed would work with the Becker Traffic Pro from the Crossfire for $59.95. He said it's not an AG 13 but it will work. This is my second clue that we don't need a proprietary GPS antenna for these units.
So, I started looking for possible third-party antenna options. I think the Titan III might work. It is a universal antenna and you can buy a male SMA adapter for it. Its electrical characteristics are roughly equivalent to the AG 13 except it draws less current. The AG 13 draws 18 mA but the Titan only draws 7 mA. Otherwise, it has the same impedance and signal gain with a wider operating voltage (so it should operate at whatever voltage the Becker unit offers). Unfortunately, the Titan III is more expensive than the Becker antenna. I'm not sure if it will work as I haven't tried it but it seems like it should.
Please provide any comments or corrections to what I've written here. I think if we can come up with a standard, easy solution to the missing GPS antenna problem, it would help both buyers and sellers.
Last edited by radmanly; 06-19-2008 at 10:01 AM.
Re: GPS antenna for factory nav radio
I pulled the nav radio out of my Limited and took another look at the antenna jack. I'm not sure it is an SMA connector after all. SMA connectors are threaded. The GPS jack in the BE6811 is not. I'm not sure just what it is. However, I am sure the antenna is a Wisi AG 13.
Last edited by radmanly; 06-19-2008 at 06:14 PM.
Re: GPS antenna for factory nav radio
I think I figured out what kind of connector it is. If you look at the attached .pdf, the last item (AY 994) is an adapter cable for Becker GPS units. It has an SMA female on one end and a male WICLIC connector on the other. So, the factory GPS antenna is a Wisi AG 13 with a male WICLIC connector. This means the jack on the BE6811 must be a WICLIC female.
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Re: GPS antenna for factory nav radio
Not yet. I've been assembling the supplies. However, I may opt against it as I kinda like having one Crossfire with the nav unit and another without.
I did order the GPS antenna using the part # listed above and it was as described. If you're going to install the nav unit, you should also get the AM/FM antenna adapter (the antenna connection on the back of the nav unit is different than the non-nav unit) and check that your wiring harness is pre-wired for the backup and speed sensors. If not, you'll have to order wires with the correct connectors from Becker. They're 87 cents apiece and I can give you the part #s if needed.
I did order the GPS antenna using the part # listed above and it was as described. If you're going to install the nav unit, you should also get the AM/FM antenna adapter (the antenna connection on the back of the nav unit is different than the non-nav unit) and check that your wiring harness is pre-wired for the backup and speed sensors. If not, you'll have to order wires with the correct connectors from Becker. They're 87 cents apiece and I can give you the part #s if needed.
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