Can a GPS antenna interfere with my wireless antenna?

mchEVDO · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 7

I have a GPS antenna about less than one feet from my Wilson cellular Dual Band Magnet Mount antenna. This GPS antenna is not conected to anything. I was wondering if it could interfere with my wireless antenna.

MGD4me · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 15

Probably not. For a number of reasons.

Antenna placement CAN be an issue, depending on the type of antenna, and the frequencies over which they operate. In your case, the Wilson antenna stand well above the GPS antenna, I suspect (You didn't mention what type or model), and the cellular antenna still maintains a good 'view' of the sky.

It would be more likely the GPS 'antenna' that would be affected by the Wilson, even though they operate on very different frequencies. The GPS band falls almost mid way between the 850 and PCS bands. Since the EVDO service is also transmitting over your Wilson antenna, some of the spurious products COULD fall into the GPS band at this close range, and cause reception issues with the GPS. Given that the GPS 'antenna' is not in use, evertything should be still be okay.

Just an added note, that the GPS antenna most likely also contains the GPS receiver, so make sure the cable is not plugged in. If so, the receiver would be powered up, even though 'not in use'.