What are the advantages of using an external antenna?

[jgombos]

I've noticed that some bluetooth GPS receivers have a port for an external antenna. Will this increase the sensitivity? Suppose I have a chipset with a sensitivity of -152dbm. Will a good antenna bring that to -159dbm?

[lbendlin]

Antennas will not bring that much, generally only 3dB. But the main reason for the external antenna is not the performance gain. It is the circumvention of hostile conditions such as limited sky view or athermic windshields.
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Lutz

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[bazz2004]

I bought an external aerial for my Evesham sat nav because it took forever picking up signals and wouldn't work with a coated windscreen. I managed to exchange it for a Medion GoPal PNA 350. To begin with I was using the same Evesham external aerial with the GoPal. Suddenly I noticed when using Active Sync that it was picking up the satellites. This is upstairs behind double glazing and with venetian blinds closed. I found that the Medion with its SirffStar III antenna picks up the signals in the car fine without an external aerial. This has made things so much better.

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