GA150 GPS/GLONASS Antenna (External)

The Raymarine GA150 is an external GPS/GLONASS antenna designed to enhance the satellite reception of your Raymarine multifunction display (MFD) in situations where the built-in receiver might not get a clear view of the sky. This low-profile patch antenna connects directly to the external GNSS antenna port on compatible Raymarine units – specifically all a9 and a12 series MFDs, as well as eS9 and eS12 models. In practice, that includes displays like the a95, a97, a125, a127, and their variants, among others. By adding the GA150, you allow the internal GPS/GLONASS receiver of your display to operate with an externally mounted antenna, greatly improving its ability to lock onto satellites.

The GA150 is ideal for installations where your MFD is mounted below decks or under a solid structure (such as a hardtop or inside a pilothouse). In those scenarios, the internal antenna may struggle to receive sufficient satellite signals, leading to slow or intermittent position fixes. The GA150 remedies this by being placed in the open – for instance, on the cabin roof, radar arch, or any exposed deck area – thus having a direct line of sight to the GPS and GLONASS satellites. The result is faster time-to-first-fix and more reliable position data, even when your helm is tucked away deep in the vessel. In fact, the GA150 can be the difference between getting a fix or not in conditions where the MFD’s internal patch antenna is blocked by fiberglass, metal, or solar film on glass. The antenna supports both GPS and GLONASS, increasing the number of satellites available for computing your position, which can improve accuracy and robustness of the fix.

Physically, the GA150 is a small, disk-shaped antenna (about 3.7 inches in diameter and 1.2 inches high). Raymarine provides two mounting options in the box. First, you have the surface mount: a simple low-profile installation where the antenna attaches flat on any horizontal surface using the included gasket to seal against water ingress. Second, there’s a pole mount adapter that screws into the base of the antenna, allowing you to mount it on a standard marine antenna pole or rail mount (often a 1-inch threaded fitting). This flexibility means you can choose a spot with the clearest sky view – whether that’s on the dash, the t-top, or atop a mast. The GA150 comes with a permanently attached 10-meter (33 ft) cable terminated with a TNC connector, which plugs into your MFD’s GPS antenna jack. The generous cable length accommodates routing through cabins or conduit to reach your device.

In terms of durability and performance, the GA150 is built for the marine environment. It carries an IPX6 and IPX7 waterproof rating, so it can handle heavy spray and even brief submersion (in case of wave splash) without issue. It operates within a temperature range of 0°C to +55°C (32°F to 131°F), which covers the extremes of most boating conditions. The antenna is an active type (meaning it has an internal low-noise amplifier), but it doesn’t need a separate power hookup – it’s powered via the coax cable by the MFD itself. Installation is largely plug-and-play; once connected, the MFD will automatically utilize the GA150’s feed. In many cases, no special configuration is needed – the system simply sees more satellites and stronger signals, resulting in a 72-channel solution with 10Hz updates (the performance of the MFD’s GNSS receiver). As a result, you’ll notice quicker position locks when starting up and improved accuracy (down to 5 meters or better with SBAS corrections) when navigating.

Ultimately, the GA150 is a simple yet highly effective upgrade for certain Raymarine setups. If your vessel’s design or your electronics placement has been causing weak GPS performance, this antenna can resolve that issue. It’s particularly useful for sailboats (where the chartplotter might be under a deck or dodger) and for enclosed helm stations on motorboats or trawlers. With the GA150, features like radar overlay, AIS target plotting, and route tracking all benefit from a steadier GPS signal. And because it supports GLONASS, you gain additional reliability in high latitudes or urban-coastal areas where satellite visibility might be limited. In summary, Raymarine’s GA150 external GNSS antenna is an affordable accessory that ensures your navigation system gets the best possible data from overhead satellites – a small addition that can make a big difference in the precision and confidence of your onboard navigation.