Installation virtually complete now, having swapped my "swing" unit. Just thought I'd share a photo of where I eventually installed the GPS antenna (thanks again to Chris Green whose instructions I followed). The photo shows the side panel of the dashboard near the passenger door, removed. After installation of the antenna, I then threaded the cable across the top of the glove box (without removing it) & managed to route the cable via the 2 cable routing "lugs" and used a couple of strips of electrical insulation tape just to hold the cable firmly in place. Managed to put a few scrapes on my hand - probably the price for not removing the glovebox! Anyway, after all the help I've recently received, I thought the least I could do is post a photo in the hope it might help someone. 

Edited 24 October, 201510 yr by ted1888

I am about to do this myself, I'm just wondering how can the antenna pick up signal when it's stuffed inside the dashboard?!? The 1.2-1.5 GHz GPS signal greatly attenuates with obstacles, and being already weak itself I would expect to have problems with such a setup. I am amazed that you say that it works. Can you comment on the signal reception when driving in a city with high buildings?

Edited 24 October, 201510 yr by eyegr

Don't be worry...

GPS antenna has to be under windscreen...

I am about to do this myself, I'm just wondering how can the antenna pick up signal when it's stuffed inside the dashboard?!? The 1.2-1.5 GHz GPS signal greatly attenuates with obstacles, and being already weak itself I would expect to have problems with such a setup. I am amazed that you say that it works. Can you comment on the signal reception when driving in a city with high buildings?

If you go for a magnetic GPS antenna and place it on a metal section of the substructure of the car, the magnetic bond will actually help amplify the aerial. However, it is still a good idea to place it on a metal surface with as little additional obstacles above it as possible.

If you look back at the thread where I fitted mine you'll see that the horizontal metal bar I placed mind on (as opposed to the vertical metal panel at the end of the dash) has just a single layer of dash plastic above it, followed by the glass windscreen. No additional plastic items, AC pipes, soundproofing, vents etc in the way that might weaken the overall signal.

I changed the radio in my Mk 2 SE Octavia from Bolero to Amundsen+ with sat/nav and fitted magnetic GPS aerial on a a metal panel on inner bulk head behind radio. I was advised by tec guy at my main dealer to do this. Works great, no problems.

Robert

Same place as mine was. Worked perfectly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk