# GPS modules and antenna-help on buying

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-modules-and-antenna-help-on-buying/8676>\
**Category:** Development Boards\
**Created:** [October 6, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-modules-and-antenna-help-on-buying/8676 "2008-10-06T20:39:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lzhang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@lzhang](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/lzhang)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-modules-and-antenna-help-on-buying/8676/1 "2008-10-06T20:39:51Z")

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I’m planning on using GPS to determine the location between the distance between 2 antennas. I’m not too sure on the best materials to use. I basically am looking for precision, low powering, strong range and low price.

Here it is:

-The computer act as the receiver, so I probably will buy the GPS USB stick

[http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts\_id=8703](http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8703)

-I’m thinking of using the GPS MiniMod as my antenna and module.

[http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts\_id=8416](http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8416)

-The pc takes the output from the antennas and grabs their 3D positions to figure out the distance.

Does this setup seem right? Are there any better devices for me to buy instead? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![snowviper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@snowviper](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/snowviper)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 3:56am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-modules-and-antenna-help-on-buying/8676/2 "2008-10-08T03:56:26Z")

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I thought minimod is a complete GPS unit.

Am I wrong ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lzhang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@lzhang](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/lzhang)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-modules-and-antenna-help-on-buying/8676/3 "2008-10-08T21:02:55Z")

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yeah you’re right on that. I just thought maybe having the usb stick would be handier

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![snowviper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@snowviper](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/snowviper)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-modules-and-antenna-help-on-buying/8676/4 "2008-10-14T16:52:10Z")

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You could use either or 🙂 but not both

on the mini mod just get usb-serial that they sold, I think it will work great.

I’m planning to try one after they come out with the mini mod 20ch.

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**Author:** ![henryhallam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7cd45c/32.png) [@henryhallam](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/henryhallam)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-modules-and-antenna-help-on-buying/8676/5 "2008-10-14T17:41:38Z")

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How far apart are you planning to have the antennas?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lzhang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@lzhang](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/lzhang)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/gps-modules-and-antenna-help-on-buying/8676/6 "2008-10-14T19:19:17Z")

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the distance might be like around 100m right now