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submerged antenna

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Created by decrepit > 9 months ago, 8 Sep 2014
decrepit
WA, 12761 posts
8 Sep 2014 9:05PM
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The other day Fin had a file full of the most/worst spikes I've ever seen.
Fin's theory was his GT31 was sitting in a bit of water, because his aquapac had sprung a leak or 2.
So today he went out with the screen flipped, so he could sail with the antenna upwards, with the GT in a ziplock bag. Fortunate he did so, as leak repair wasn't all that successful, there was more than a few drops sloshing around in the bottom of the bag. Also fortunate, seems his theory was right as he had a couple of big PBs and no spikes in the file.

So is it worth, as a matter of course, sailing with the antenna up and a flipped screen so you can still read the numbers??

Haggar
QLD, 1670 posts
9 Sep 2014 8:04AM
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What do exactly mean screen flipped Decrepeit and which end is the antenna in ? To be honest most times I sail my aquapac slips around to the bottom of my arm and it spends most of the time pointing at the water :b

ikw777
QLD, 2995 posts
9 Sep 2014 8:46AM
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Haggar said..
What do exactly mean screen flipped Decrepeit and which end is the antenna in ? To be honest most times I sail my aquapac slips around to the bottom of my arm and it spends most of the time pointing at the water :b


Ahhh, so now we know the source of those recent PBs...!

fangman
WA, 1903 posts
9 Sep 2014 8:07AM
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Helmet mount could finally be a good use for his head

Paul Kelf
WA, 678 posts
9 Sep 2014 10:50AM
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decrepit said..
The other day Fin had a file full of the most/worst spikes I've ever seen.
Fin's theory was his GT31 was sitting in a bit of water, because his aquapac had sprung a leak or 2.
So today he went out with the screen flipped, so he could sail with the antenna upwards, with the GT in a ziplock bag. Fortunate he did so, as leak repair wasn't all that successful, there was more than a few drops sloshing around in the bottom of the bag. Also fortunate, seems his theory was right as he had a couple of big PBs and no spikes in the file.
So is it worth, as a matter of course, sailing with the antenna up and a flipped screen so you can still read the numbers??



Mike,
I have always used mine that way as I can't operate the buttons properly, maybe I'm gumby

decrepit
WA, 12761 posts
9 Sep 2014 12:24PM
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Haggar, the antenna is the same end as the toggle. so most people who wear it on there arm, have the antenna down so they can read the display.
In the "Misc" menu is "screen flip" if you toggle that to "on" then every thing turns upside down, and you wear it on your arm with the antenna up.

Paul, there's no way I can operate the buttons when it's in the bag and on my arm. I just let speed genie do the work.

I've just flipped my screen, seems a bit strange at first holding the unit upside down, but I think it should improve reception.

Haggar
QLD, 1670 posts
9 Sep 2014 4:06PM
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ikw777 said...
Haggar said..
What do exactly mean screen flipped Decrepeit and which end is the antenna in ? To be honest most times I sail my aquapac slips around to the bottom of my arm and it spends most of the time pointing at the water :b


Ahhh, so now we know the source of those recent PBs...!


Ah I should get better results with the Antenna up just wait !

Te Hau
493 posts
9 Sep 2014 7:38PM
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If you want a bit of a speed boost put the GPS in your hat.
I have one on my arm and one in my hat and the hat is always 0.3kt faster.
I'll take that.

decrepit
WA, 12761 posts
9 Sep 2014 8:01PM
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Te Hau said..
If you want a bit of a speed boost put the GPS in your hat.
I have one on my arm and one in my hat and the hat is always 0.3kt faster.
I'll take that.



Does it matter which one is in the hat?

BFlood
NSW, 181 posts
10 Sep 2014 12:19PM
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Haggar said..
To be honest most times I sail my aquapac slips around to the bottom of my arm and it spends most of the time pointing at the water :b


I had the same problem so I now mount mine on on my mast; the plastic clip around the mast just above the boom and then the arm band wrapped around the boom clamp

sausage
QLD, 4873 posts
10 Sep 2014 12:31PM
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BFlood said..
Haggar said..
To be honest most times I sail my aquapac slips around to the bottom of my arm and it spends most of the time pointing at the water :b


I had the same problem so I now mount mine on on my mast; the plastic clip around the mast just above the boom and then the arm band wrapped around the boom clamp


I did that for a short time a long time ago but got way too many spikes due to the jarring / vibration of the kit. It's not the best place to have it.

Also in regards to water in the Paqua I put my GT-31 in a ziplock and also insert a small piece of thin kitchen sponge to absorb any moisture.

fangman
WA, 1903 posts
10 Sep 2014 11:23AM
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sausage said..

Also in regards to water in the Paqua I put my GT-31 in a ziplock and also insert a small piece of thin kitchen sponge to absorb any moisture.


+1 ^ I use the silica packs that seem to come with all your electronic goods etc. They are reusable,just whack them in the oven to dry 'em back out.

sailquik
VIC, 6165 posts
11 Sep 2014 2:07PM
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I am sure I posted this warning here somewhere before but here is a copy:

Some recent incidents and discussions have promted me to post this information again. This has been covered before in various threads and forums, but some sailors may not have caught this advice.

Please do not put a GPS inside your wetsuit or crash vest or enclosed it in Neoprene in any way! This is a recipe for disaster and frustration! Wet/Damp wetsuit material has been proven to block GPS radio signal reception to cause loss of satellite lock and data errors as many have found to their cost. Best practice is to wear the GPS in a waterproof plastic arm band bag on the upper arm with the GPS facing the sky. Some wear the bag on the top of the shoulders or backpack. Best is in (or on) the helmet on top of the head: http://www.mtbest.net/speed_sailing_helmet.html

It is very important not to allow the armband to slide around the arm so that it is underneath it facing the water. This will also destroy accuracy and satellite reception quality. The Australian Paqua bad is one example of an excellent arm bag: www.paqua.com.au/paqua_range.htm#MIDI

Do not use the 'low power' setting on your GT-31. It has been found to dramatically reduce accuracy at best because it limits the number of satellites the unit locks onto, This often results in lost data or unusable data. The battery of a normal GT-31 in good condition should last over 24 hours of use from fully charged.

If you are going for any GPS PB or record, please check your GPS settings and seek advice if you are not sure. It is always good to test everything before a big day arrives to make sure your systems work in the right way in use,

Hope this helps. Good speeds and fun to all!



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"submerged antenna" started by decrepit