Dashcam Installation in a D2 - Page 5

HPsauce · #41 26th January 2016, 11:05 AM

I'd say why not? It's pretty standard powered GPS aerial. Connected directly to the back of the RNS via along cable.

On my old (PF) S8 the aerial failed fairly early in my ownership, long before A8parts existed or at least before I was aware of them.

I acquired a fairly standard "hockey-puck" powered GPS aerial and fixed it externally at the base of the rear window, directly in front of the standard boot-lid location.
I ran the cable along the boot-edge trim then up the boot struts into the space behind the liner. There I spliced it into the existing wiring with some adapters and soldering - disconnecting the OEM aerial in such a way that I could reinstate it if I ever found a cheap working replacement (Audi wanted well over £200

)
It ran perfectly for years.

So if your unit uses a standard powered aerial it will just be a matter of disconnecting the lead at the back of the RNS and connecting (via extensions/adapters as required) to your unit.

mattylondon · #42 26th January 2016, 11:17 AM

The Nextbase 402g only has an in built GPS and no external port. I find the 402g locks on to satellites pretty quick and even works inside the house. The 402g is re-badged DOD LS430W. DOD also sell the LS360W which has an external GPS port.

David's8 · #43 26th January 2016, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattylondon

The Nextbase 402g only has an in built GPS and no external port. I find the 402g locks on to satellites pretty quick and even works inside the house. The 402g is re-badged DOD LS430W. DOD also sell the LS360W which has an external GPS port.

I appreciate that there's no external port but was thinking of whether the signal could be reradiated by, for instance, just running a coax from the GPS feed cable near to the dashcam with a few inches of bare wire at the end (a leaky feeder arrangement). or would this degrade the signal to the car satnav?

mattylondon · #44 26th January 2016, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David's8

I appreciate that there's external port but was thinking of whether the signal could be reradiated by, for instance, just running a coax from the GPS feed cable near to the dashcam with a few inches of bare wire at the end (a leaky feeder arrangement). or would this degrade the signal to the car satnav?

It may work. The GPS is within the top bracket.

David's8 · #45 26th January 2016, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattylondon

It may work. The GPS is within the top bracket.

Interesting picture - thanks for that. As I will have the Satnav/climate unit out in tthe next few days for the solar roof fit, I'll look at the satnav feed issue and see if anything can be done.

MikkiJayne · #46 27th January 2016, 10:19 AM

I used to use a GPS repeater in my '99. That had an external antenna to pick up the signal, a box of tricks inside the car, and then an internal antenna to re-broadcast the signal to gadgets. Don't know if they're still available though.

David's8 · #47 27th January 2016, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

I used to use a GPS repeater in my '99. That had an external antenna to pick up the signal, a box of tricks inside the car, and then an internal antenna to re-broadcast the signal to gadgets. Don't know if they're still available though.

Thats exactly what I need but didnt think that one would exist. I'll look right now!

HPsauce · #48 27th January 2016, 10:42 AM

I think they're generally not available as they are illegal broadcasting devices.

David's8 · #49 27th January 2016, 10:44 AM

There are repeaters available in UK but they are for indoor use only and, indeed, the OFCOM licencing regulations allows for their use only in "defined, fixed locations only (mobile use will not be authorised". So, if you try to buy one legally the seller will probably require view of the licence. Besides the kit is too large and cumbersome for vehicle use. i'll look at splitters and a jury rig aerial.

HPsauce · #50 27th January 2016, 10:57 AM

Not sure what you're thinking of David, but satellite receivers are a 2-part active unit with one part in the aerial and another (most) in the main unit with a tuned direct connection between them.
TV satellite receivers are somewhat different to GPS (the aerial unit called an LNB can switch channels on command from the main unit) but I really see no way that you could break into and share the signals between those 2 parts of the system.

Similarly (well a bit), you can't have two modems on one end of a broadband (or dial-up) data connection.