SparkFun Forums

[Aggs]

I had one of these http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9871 connected to a Copernicus DIP receiver with about 10cm of cable. It worked perfectly. I then shortened the cable to about 1.5cm and removed the SMA connector (soldered wires directly to board) Now it doesn't work at all? It just gets zero sats no matter how long I leave it on for...

Any Ideas? :think:

[teekay_tk]

by removing SMA you have changed the impedance from 50 ohms so there will be losses in the signal

by bringing it too close you may have introduced feedback noise into the antenna as it is amplified antenna.

if you have access to a blank PCB (with copper layer) make a hole in its centre and use it as a ground plane for the antenna. This may help shield it from the GPS

[Aggs]

I changed back to the 10cm cable (still no SMA) and it still doesn't work...
I don't understand why the SMA plug makes a difference? The datasheet suggests you solder it straight to the board, no connectors (or wires) of any type...
The only other thing I can think of is if I damaged something inside while pushing it into it's black cover/holder thing....