[time-nuts] time-nuts Digest, Vol 41, Issue 57

[GandalfG8 at aol.com]

In a message dated 16/12/2007 18:17:18 GMT Standard Time,  
ronaldheld at gmail.com writes:

i  thought of tha balcony option. The balcony as an overhang which
effectively  blots out the other half of ths sky not covered by the
building. I cannot  hang any antenna over the railing or on it(in my
lease and enofrce;I  asked), plus there are birds and squirrels which
would get into it.
Any  other suggestions?



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I can't quite picture the overhang arrangement, but when you consider that  a 
variety of manufacturers supply GPS antennas that are approx 1 1/2 inches  
square by 1/2 inch deep I'd be very surprised if you couldn't attach  one of 
these somewhere outside without it noticing.
They may not have the filtering etc of a "proper" timing antenna but they'd  
do the job and certainly be a lot less obtrusive.
 
Alternatively, I've used one of these quite succesfully on an internal  
window sill and am running an Odetics timing antenna just propped up on the same  
window sill right now.
That's feeding an Oncore UT+ timing module in a test jig and  tracking 6 of 
the 8 satellites it can see.
Oncore modules, sometimes complete with a small antenna, are regulalrly on  
Ebay quite cheaply so why not invest a small amount and run some tests?
You might find the results are better than expected but even if not  you'd at 
least have some definite answers. 
 
regards
 
Nigel
GM8PZR