[time-nuts] GPS antenna gain

[David McGaw]

Hello Gents (and Ladies),

I am in a bit of a quandary.  I have been using a Synergy Timing 3000 
GPS antenna in a test set-up for some time and recently got a VIC-100 
antenna, thinking that its greater spec-sheet gain (38dBi vs 25dB(i?) 
typical) would allow for a longer down-lead in the field if 
needed.  Upon testing, the VIC-100 appears to have around 10dB LESS 
gain than the Timing 3000 and I would say is barely adequate on 25 ft 
of LMR-195!  I used a switched attenuator pad with 2 DC blocks for 
the test and set each antenna to comparable SNR levels as indicated 
using TAC32 with an M12M-T.  I have tried a second VIC-100 with the 
same results.  Would anyone have an explanation for this?

Thanks,

David McGaw N1HAC