GPS Antennas & Mounts

Racelogic provide multiple antennas and antenna mounting options, depending upon the measurement system, the type of vehicle being used and the surrounding conditions.

Get a quote
Download antenna overview

Antenna Options

Low Profile Antennas

Standard magnetic "patch" antennas are suitable where they have an unrestricted view of the sky and a good metallic ground plane, such as a car roof.

RLACS156

GPS/ GLONASS antenna
  • Comes with a detachable 4 m RG174 antenna cable (RLCAB071-4).
  • This antenna is supplied with all single and dual antenna VBOX 3i and
    100 Hz Speed Sensor variants (VBOX 3i RTK up to V4 only).
  • It will track GPS and GLONASS satellites with an RTK and GLONASS enabled unit.

RLACS156RTK

GPS/ GLONASS antenna
  • Comes with a detachable 4 m RG223 antenna cable (RLCAB080-4).
  • This antenna is supplied with all VBOX 3i RTK (V5 onwards) as the RG223 cable maximises the performance in dual antenna and RTK modes.
  • It will track GPS and GLONASS satellites with an RTK and GLONASS enabled unit.

RLACS158

GPS L1 antenna
  • Comes with a detachable 4 m RG174 antenna cable (RLCAB071-4).
  • This antenna can be used with all VBOX 3i and 100 Hz Speed Sensor variants.
  • It will track GPS only.

RLVBACS018

GPS antenna
  • Attached 5 m antenna cable with SMA connector.
  • This antenna is supplied VBOX II, VBOX Micro, Video VBOX Prof and 5 – 20 Hz Speed sensors.
  • It will track GPS only.

RLACS070

GPS antenna
  • Attached 3 m antenna cable with MCX connector.
  • This antenna is supplied with Video VBOX Lite and can be used with VBOX Sport when the internal antenna cannot see satellites e.g. if the vehicle has an athermic windscreen.
  • It will track GPS only.

RLACS070R

GPS antenna
  • Attached 3 m antenna cable with MCX right angle connector.
  • This antenna is supplied with VBOX Mini, PerformanceBox & DriftBox.
  • It will track GPS only and should be used when the internal antenna cannot see satellites e.g. if the vehicle has an athermic windscreen.

RLACS284

GPS/ GLONASS antenna
  • Attached 2 m antenna cable with RG-174 and MCX male connector.
  • This antenna is supplied with VBOX Sport, VBOX LapTimer, VBOX Pit Lane Timer & Performance Box Touch.
  • It will track GPS and GLONASS.

Ground Plane Antennas

Ground plane antennas give the best protection against multipath reflection. They are used when a suitable ground plane is not present and are ideal for high accuracy position work, marine and mining applications.

RLACS193

GPS antenna with magnetic mount
  • Detachable 3 m antenna cable with SMA connector.
  • This antenna can be used with VBOX II units and for multi-antenna set-ups (slip angle test, etc.).
  • It will track GPS only.

RLVBACS067

Dual-frequency GNSS antenna with mounting plate
  • Detachable 3 m RG233 SMA to TNC cable.
  • This antenna can be used with any VBOX 3i.
  • It will track GPS L1, L2, L5, GLONASS L1, L2, Galileo E1, E5a, E5b, BeiDou B1, B2, and L-Band.
  • This is basically the RLACS279 bundle with mounting plate.

RLACS279

Dual-frequency GNSS antenna
  • Detachable 3 m RG233 TNC to TNC cable (RLCAB101-3).
  • This antenna can be used with an RTK and GLONASS enabled DGPS Base Station.
  • It will track GPS L1, L2, L5, GLONASS L1, L2, Galileo E1, E5a, E5b, BeiDou B1, B2, and L-Band.

Mounting Options

Antenna Mounts

Racelogic offer multiple antenna mounting options for all types of vehicle roof materials and antenna separation and IMU mount requirements.

RLACS223

Roof suction mount

This vacuum suction mount allows for a magnetic antenna to be used on vehicles without a metal roof, e.g. vehicles with an aluminium chassis, glass roofs or carbon fibre bodywork.

RLACS159

Roof mount for ground plane antennas

This vacuum suction mount allows for a ground plane antenna (e.g. RLVBACS067) to be used on vehicles without a metal roof, e.g. vehicles with an aluminium chassis, glass roofs or carbon fibre bodywork.

RLACS171

Dual antenna mounting pole

This mounting system is used to extend antenna separation for slip angle and other dynamic tests to up to 2.5 m.

IMU Roof Mounts

The easiest method of mounting the IMU is by placing it directly on the vehicle roof, co-located with the GPS antenna.

RLACS216

IMU roof mount

This specially designed roof mount allows for an IMU04 (only) to be securely fastened within the machined enclosure while it's magnetic base ensures that it stays safely in place.

A magnetic antenna can then be placed directly above the IMU allowing for the data sources to be measured at the same point.

RLACS230

IMU roof mount for ground plane antennas

This roof mount allows for an IMU04 (only) to be securely fastened within the machined enclosure while it's magnetic base ensures that it stays safely in place.

A ground-plane antenna can then be screwed directly above the IMU allowing for the data sources to be measured at the same point.

RLACS256

Vacuum tripod mount

When using a vehicle with a non-ferrous roof such as aluminium, carbon fibre or glass (sun roof), the magnetic based IMU Roof Mount will not hold and a suction mount is required along with the magnetic base.

With its three points of contact this mount ensures a very stable fixture and reduces IMU vibration that might be transmitted by the vehicle's roof.

The adjustable lever arms allow for the levelling of the IMU on a non-flat roof whilst extending the mounting options on the vehicle. For example, you can fix the mount partially or fully on a coupé's glass roof when trying to achieve a greater antenna separation in a dual antenna setup.

RLACS257

Pole mount with ferrous plate

If you are testing with a VBOX 3i Dual Antenna and are looking for a maximum antenna separation* the use of a Roof Mounting Pole (RLACS171) in combination with this mount will allow for a quick dual antenna alignment.

An additional pair of pole suction arms is supplied to stabilise the IMU on the roof.

*Maximum antenna separation improves the accuracy of slip angle measurement

Antenna Placement

The quality of the signal received can be reduced by reflections from surrounding buildings, trees, and other obstructions. This is known as multipath and can result in increased noise and reduced accuracy. To receive the best signal you should follow these guidelines when placing a GPS antenna.

Typical Antenna Placement

For any GPS antenna, the best signal will be received with the clearest view of the sky. As a guide, the following should be observed when determining the best place to locate your antenna:

  • Car: On the roof away from other antennas and any roof bars
  • Car (no roof): On the highest point of the boot
  • Motorbike: At the rear as far away as possible from the rider
  • Truck: On or behind the cabin, or on the trailer
  • Other vehicles: Away from metal obstructions and as high as possible

 

More info

Effects of noisy GPS signals

  • Less accurate general performance results. If the vehicle test is using speed as a start or end condition then the test could be started or stopped at the wrong time, leading to incorrect results
  • Less accurate Lateral and Longitudinal acceleration data
  • Less accurate Radius of Turn and Centre Line Deviation tests
  • Less accurate slip angle tests
  • Less accurate vehicle position / driveline
Back to Modules & Accessories