Experience with RAM GPS yoke mount? External antenna required?

German guy

German guy

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Oliver
Hi everybody,

I'm just about to order this RAM yoke mount: http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-yoke-clamp-base-with-1-inch-ball.html

Does any of you have experience with this or similar mounts? Will it work on PA28 / C152 / C172 yokes? Would you other other mounts like window-suctions mounts?
If I install my GPS to the yoke - will I need an external antenna which I can stick to the windscreen?

I am looking forward to your answers.

Cheers,

Oliver
 
Depends on which GPS you have, I have had two Lowrance models and in the 150 and 172 they work fine without the external antenna.
 
German guy said:
Hi everybody,

I'm just about to order this RAM yoke mount: http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-yoke-clamp-base-with-1-inch-ball.html

Does any of you have experience with this or similar mounts? Will it work on PA28 / C152 / C172 yokes? Would you other other mounts like window-suctions mounts?
If I install my GPS to the yoke - will I need an external antenna which I can stick to the windscreen?

I am looking forward to your answers.

Cheers,

Oliver
Click to expand...

IME, C172s block enough of the sky to a yoke mounted GPS that they will require an external antenna for good reception. You may get away without it but you will definitely be unable to receive all the satellites in view and if you're headed northwards you aren't likely to receive the WAAS corrections (they come from geostationary SVs over the equator). IOW it may work but it won't work well.
 
That is just the yoke clamp you will need additional pices to actually attach the GPS.

That being said I have had a 196 on a yoke mount for a couple of years and found the standard antenna good enough that I haven't bothered to connect the remote one.

It has lost signal at times on flights but then again it's not critical or it wouldn't be a hand held on the yoke in the first place.
 
My 196 is yoke mounted with an external antenna affixed to the windscreen. Since I have the 430 I primarily use it for the 6 pack page which give me an HSI for back up.
 
Thanks for your replies!

My GPS is a Garmin 196 for which I already have all the necessary RAM parts for the usage in our open microlight, where I have a RAM base permanently mounted on the instrument panel. Therefore I just need the clamp so that I can also use it in hired planes with a yoke.

I understand that the receiving of GPS signals in something like a 172 is unstable, so I will also order an external antenna with a suction mount which I can stick to the windscreen.

As none of you diagreed to the RAM yoke mount, I can can assume, that it will most likely work with the above mentioned aircraft!?

Cheers,

Oliver
 
I have that type for my Lowrance 1000 and fly a C172. The only time I need an external antenna seems to be under a heavy overcast layer.
 
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Oliver, I know a number of people who use the RAM mount, and are very happy with it.

By the way - welcome!
 
SCCutler, thank you very much for sharing your experience and for the friendly welcome! :yesnod:

I'm already looking forward to the upcoming visit to your beautiful country - my wife and I will fly to Florida on 2nd of April to finish the US-PPL training which we have started last December. Hopefully we'll have enough time left for a flight up the east coast, once we have received our private pilot tickets. :D

Cheers, Oliver
 
Depends on the aircraft. Needed a remote antenna in the Cessna, but not in the Piper.
 
steingar said:
Depends on the aircraft. Needed a remote antenna in the Cessna, but not in the Piper.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply - just to make sure that everything work flawless, I will order a antenna remote installation cable with a suction mount.

Cheers, Oliver
 
With the 496 (similar case to the 196), I found that I really needed the external antenna for reliable operation. Luckily, it comes with one standard. I don't have any experience with the RAM mount, but I know that the stock Garmin yoke mount won't work if there is an approach plate clip already mounted on the yoke. In that situation, I had to mount the GPS on the right yoke instead of the left.
 
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