The Ultimate GPS Antenna Cable Guide Active vs Passive, Loss & Types
Introduction A GPS or GNSS system is only as good as the chain that ties it together. Think of it as three links—antenna, gps antenna cable, and receiver. If one link is weak, the entire system suffers. Even the most advanced antenna can’t perform well if the cable adds too much attenuation or mismatched impedance. You’ll notice this in everyday use. A vehicle gps antenna might lose lock just as you’re driving through a tunnel. A gps timing PPS installation may drift slightly if the coax run is too long. And with RTK GNSS surveying, even a fraction of a decibel in extra line loss can throw off centimeter-level precision. These aren’t rare glitches; they’re the natural result of treating the cable as “just a wire.”
