Hi Mounting antennas outside a window can be impossible in some situations. If having the window “unlocked” is a security concern, you don’t do that. If you have a window that is up and away from things, often a simple chunk of wood will do a pretty good job of propping it open, blocking the draft, and giving you a structure to mount a small antenna. Some sort of flexible “foam” insulation often rounds out the insulation / air blocking part of the combo. Cost wise ...not a lot. Durability might not be in the “last for years” category. For a quick and dirty way to get things going, it’s worked for me a number of times over the years. Bob > On Feb 26, 2023, at 11:45 AM, Matt Huszagh via time-nuts <time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > > "David G. McGaw via time-nuts" <time-nuts@lists.febo.com> writes: > >> Have you tried putting your GPS antenna outside the window? Today's >> energy-efficient glass has a metallic layer that does not pass RF. > > Yeah, that does work. However, I haven't really found a good way to > mount it outside the window and it requires that my window be at least > somewhat open whenever I'm using my GPSDO. I suppose I could use this > for occasional checks. > > Matt > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-leave@lists.febo.com

Just as a data point, I am running a couple of SEL-2401 GPS receivers with Symmetricom 58532A antennas in my bedroom window. One of the SEL-2401s has new microcode and stays locked continuously. The other one is older, and it is mostly locked, but loses lock for several minutes from time to time. I am going to try a temporary outdoor mount for one of the antennas (I own my house, so I don't have landlord restrictions, but I do have to convince my wife that I'm not crazy, so I want to try it temporarily first.) But I am also thinking, the doco for the 58532A antenna mentions a 58529A GPS Line Amplifier with L1 Bandpass Filter, ( https://www.microsemi.com/existing-parts/parts/138202) which has 20dB gain. It is designed for counteracting cable loss on long antenna cables. I'm not sure how well it will work if your signal is just too weak. I am thinking that the bandpass filter might help it do more than just amplify the noise. They seem to be going for about $150 - $180 on eBay. You might consider that. If I get one, I will report on how well it works. Lynn On Mon, Feb 27, 2023 at 4:20 PM Bob Camp via time-nuts < time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > Hi > > Mounting antennas outside a window can be impossible in some situations. > If > having the window “unlocked” is a security concern, you don’t do that. > > If you have a window that is up and away from things, often a simple chunk > of > wood will do a pretty good job of propping it open, blocking the draft, > and giving > you a structure to mount a small antenna. Some sort of flexible “foam” > insulation > often rounds out the insulation / air blocking part of the combo. > > Cost wise ...not a lot. Durability might not be in the “last for years” > category. For > a quick and dirty way to get things going, it’s worked for me a number of > times > over the years. > > Bob > > > On Feb 26, 2023, at 11:45 AM, Matt Huszagh via time-nuts < > time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > > > > "David G. McGaw via time-nuts" <time-nuts@lists.febo.com> writes: > > > >> Have you tried putting your GPS antenna outside the window? Today's > >> energy-efficient glass has a metallic layer that does not pass RF. > > > > Yeah, that does work. However, I haven't really found a good way to > > mount it outside the window and it requires that my window be at least > > somewhat open whenever I'm using my GPSDO. I suppose I could use this > > for occasional checks. > > > > Matt > > _______________________________________________ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-leave@lists.febo.com > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-leave@lists.febo.com

On 26. Feb 2023, at 17:45, Matt Huszagh via time-nuts <time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > > However, I haven't really found a good way to > mount it outside the window and it requires that my window be at least > somewhat open whenever I'm using my GPSDO. Get one of those flat coax cables for window feedthrough. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFHGTB3Z Works great for me and my Symmetricom 58536A. Grüße, Carsten