Lowrance electronic Mapping GPS & MP3 Player manual External Antenna

External Antenna

A GPS antenna requires a clear view of the sky for optimum operation. Inside a vehicle, your iFINDER can sometimes maintain satellite lock while sitting on the seat beside you, but we don't recommend this for optimum performance.

Since the "view" is restricted to what can be seen through the windows, this operating mode will reduce position accuracy and will increase the chance of losing satellite lock. Inside a vehicle, the unit operates best with an optional external antenna mounted on the windshield, on the dash or on the top of the vehicle.

The optional external antenna can use a magnetic base that allows temporary mounting on any flat ferrous metal surface. A suction-cup mount allows you to attach the antenna to a windshield.

The iFINDER Map & Music can use the passive FA-8 antenna or the active RAA-3 antenna. The active antenna offers a further performance boost by amplifying the satellite signals it receives. This is especially helpful when operating in areas such as dense forests, which can ob- struct GPS signals. Your unit will automatically switch between the active RAA-3 and its internal antenna (located in the top of the case). If you purchase the passive FA-8, you must use a menu check box to manually switch between it and the internal antenna. See the topic "External Passive Antenna" in Sec. 5.

Attach iFINDER antenna to windshield bracket with two screws.

You may achieve good results by simply placing the external antenna on the top of the dash, at the base of the windshield. A piece of the rub- ber non-skid shelf liner material available in recreational vehicle sup- ply stores will also help hold the antenna in place.

To use the antenna: Mount it in a location with an unobstructed view of the sky. Plug the connector into the unit's antenna socket, located on the back, in the upper left corner of the case.

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