Kenwood GPS Antenna Metal Plate

What does this metal plate do? The install directions say to mount the metal plate to the dash and the gps antenna to the plate. Does the metal plate serve any purpose other than giving the antenna something to stick to? I ask because My dash is a bit wierd and it would look cleaner to just mount the antenna directly to the dash. Does the metal plate serve any other purpose?

Actually, it would be best to mount this antenna IN the dash somewhere and keep it out of site altogether.

I mount my GPS antenna inside the dash - as far forward as possible and without any metal brackets being over the top. The metal plate is not required. Use double-sided tape, Velcro, ty-wrap, etc to fasten it.

The metal plate helps to shield the GPS antenna from electrical interference below it. You can mount the antenna under the top surface of the dash so long as there is no metal above it and not next to a speaker magnet. Ideally mount it towards the center of the dash and as far forward as possible. This allows it to have a better view of the sky (satellites) and it won't be blocked by the vehicle's metal roof or A pillars. Loop the excess antenna cable in a circular loop about 5 inches in diameter.sparky

GPS antennas are already very immune from interference. A metal plate below the receiver could potentially block some EMI but only if it was grounded. The devices are also very immune to magnetic fields. The GPS in your mobile is extremely close to RF and magnetic fields and yet works perfectly. So, don't worry that much about placement other than being aware of which side is up and avoid having metal above the antenna within cone of about 60 degrees

Thanks for all the great info! I’ll prpbably try it out but I can’t get it far toward the front unless I go ON the dash. I’ll test it out. If 60* cone is the reception area then I can work with it. Stupid question....why does this unit even HAVE a gps antenna? The unit is not a Nav receiver but does handle CarPlay. I guess I thought CarPlay was just a mirroring setup and the phone gps pushes all the info through. Why does the HU have its own gps antenna?

Agdodge4x4 wrote: Thanks for all the great info! I’ll prpbably try it out but I can’t get it far toward the front unless I go ON the dash. I’ll test it out. If 60* cone is the reception area then I can work with it. Stupid question....why does this unit even HAVE a gps antenna? The unit is not a Nav receiver but does handle CarPlay. I guess I thought CarPlay was just a mirroring setup and the phone gps pushes all the info through. Why does the HU have its own gps antenna?

What model is the HU?

ddx9094s

Agdodge4x4 wrote: ddx9094s

Are you sure it isn't a DDX9904S?

Yes, you are correct. I fat fingered the number and did not catch it. I’m sorry. Also couldn’t find a spot inside the dahs that is much further forward than the actual head unit. The antenna will also not be exactly flat or level.