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    CF30 - External GPS/Wifi Antenna Options?

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by Stubbed, Mar 7, 2010.

  1. Stubbed

    Stubbed Newbie

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    Why hello there.

    Long time listener, first time caller, or something. Anyhow. Long story short, I work at a mine and we have a site wide wireless network for machine control purposes.

    I have a Toughbook CF30 with built in GPS which I'm currently looking at using for purposes of creating a wireless heatmap (More than likely using VisiWave).

    So far the testing has gone well, but due to the fact that we have several large pits with high walls, getting accurate GPS and Wireless information is proving to be difficult.

    I'm looking at getting a PCMCIA Wireless adapter specifically for this purpose and will make sure it has external connections, but I'd rather use the built in GPS as opposed to using an external one.

    All of the searching I've done for hooking up an external GPS appears to relate to the CF29 which appears to have a different connector. I've attached a picture of the Toughbook I have with the new style (?) external GPS antenna socket.

    Can anyone shed any light on what sort of connector that is, and if there are any external connections available for it?
     

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    Stubbed, Mar 7, 2010
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  2. capt.dogfish

    capt.dogfish The Curmudgeon

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    That is the "pass through" connector for a vehicle mount or a port replicator. It is spring loaded and not intended to be a socket for a cable. You could probably get a loose pass through pigtail which would have a more conventional antenna connector on the other end, but you will still have to cobble something up to hold it in place as it will not stay in place on its own. The pass through pigtails show up on eBay from time to time.
    CAP
     
    capt.dogfish, Mar 7, 2010
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  3. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    It would be hard to fit a fixed breakout to make the gps antenna external as its for the docking station
    The breakout has to be held in place but if you could figure out a breakout for both you would have great reception for both gps and wi-fi using external antenna's

    A usb gps is an easy option


    Alex
     
    Alex, Mar 8, 2010
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  4. Stubbed

    Stubbed Newbie

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    Ahh ok. Thanks for clearing that up.

    So on the vehicle mount is there an external connector for GPS or Wifi?
     
    Stubbed, Mar 8, 2010
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  5. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Yes
    If you get a mount with two breakouts,(some have none or one only) you have standard outputs to hook up antenna's



    Alex
     
    Alex, Mar 9, 2010
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