GA™ 38 GPS and GLONASS antenna for Cortex® V1 and M1, white

The Garmin GA™ 38 antenna is an external antenna designed to improve GPS and GLONASS signal reception on compatible marine systems. It is particularly useful when the main device is installed in a location with sub-optimal signal reception, such as below deck.

The GA™ 38 antenna supports the GPS and GLONASS satellite constellations, ensuring optimal signal acquisition and positioning accuracy.

The GA™ 38 antenna has a diameter of 91.6 mm and a height of 49.5 mm. Its weight is 201 g.

The GA™ 38 antenna has an IPX7 waterproof rating. This means it can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes.

The GA™ 38 antenna housing is made of high-impact plastic alloy and is fully waterproof thanks to a gasket.

The white model of the GA™ 38 antenna supports an operating temperature range from -30°C to 80°C (-22°F to 176°F), ensuring reliability in various climatic conditions.

The GA™ 38 antenna uses a BNC connector to connect to the port labeled ANTENNA or EXT GPS on a compatible Garmin chartplotter.

The GA™ 38 antenna is specifically compatible with Cortex® V1 and M1 systems. It is also compatible with a range of Garmin equipment including chartplotters, VHF radios, and AIS transceivers.

The GA™ 38 antenna is designed to provide a stronger GPS signal to compatible Garmin chartplotters and uses a BNC connector to connect to the ANTENNA or EXT GPS ports of Garmin devices. Its compatibility with non-Garmin devices is not specified.

The GA™ 38 antenna offers several mounting options:

Mounting on a flat surface (surface mount bracket included).Mounting on a standard 1-inch OD threaded mast with 14 threads per inch (mast not included).Mounting below deck under a fiberglass surface only (below-deck mounting kit included with white models).

For optimal reception, the GA™ 38 antenna must be mounted in a location with an unobstructed view of the sky in all directions. Avoid shaded areas caused by the boat's superstructure, a radome antenna, the mast, or near the engine and other sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI). Keep it away from ferrous metal objects as well.

Yes, the GA™ 38 antenna can be installed below deck, but only under a fiberglass surface, as it cannot acquire signals through metal. The below-deck mounting kit is included with white antenna models.

For surface mounting the GA™ 38 antenna, you will need the following tools:

A 3.2 mm (1/8 in) drill bit for pilot holes. A 25 mm (1 in) drill bit or hole saw for the cable pass-through hole. A Phillips screwdriver for the included M4 screws (or appropriately sized M4 screws if the included ones are too short). A 1.5 mm Allen key for the M3 adjustment screw. If mounting on fiberglass, a countersink drill bit is recommended for the gel-coat layer.

To install the GA™ 38 antenna on a mast, you will need the following tools:

A 1.5 mm hex key for the included M3 adjustment screw. If you route the cable through the mast, a 19 mm (3/4 in) drill bit will be required for the cable pass-through hole. A marine sealant is optional to seal the cable’s vertical slot on the mast adapter. Note that the standard 1-inch diameter threaded mast is not included.

Before permanently securing the antenna, it is recommended to temporarily mount it at the preferred location and test its proper operation. If you encounter interference with other electronic devices, move the antenna to another position and test it again. Repeat this process until you achieve full or acceptable signal strength.

The safe distance from a compass for the GA™ 38 antenna is 114 mm (4.5 inches).

When drilling, cutting or sanding, always wear safety goggles, hearing protection and a dust mask to prevent potential injuries. Always check what is on the other side of the surface to avoid damaging the vessel.

If a radar is present, the GA™ 38 antenna should preferably be mounted above the radar’s path. If this is not possible, it can be mounted below. However, it must never be mounted directly in the radar’s path and must not be installed within 1 meter (3 feet) of a VHF radio antenna or the radar’s path.

The Garmin GA™ 38 antenna is covered by Garmin's standard limited warranty. For warranty terms and conditions, please refer to Garmin's website at garmin.com/support/warranty.

When purchasing the Garmin GA™ 38 antenna, the box typically includes:

The GA™ 38 antenna itself.A surface-mount bracket.M4 mounting screws.An M3 adjustment screw.A 1.5 mm hex key.A large gasket for the underside of the antenna.Adhesive pads for the mounting bracket under the deck (supplied with white models).Please note that the threaded mast for mast mounting is not included.