Jedi Knight,
Yes indeed, a lot of GPS sets have a BNC socket under their flip up aerials. My friend's Garmin48 is like this. The Magellan Meridian is totally self contained with NMEA and power conections only. No flip up - no external aerial connection.
Anyway, just returned from a weekend's golf in Donegal. My letter to NASA Marine has now been finely honed in the bunkers of nether Ulster! Black Bush is a marvellous mental stimulant. (and before you start folks, Black Bush is a very superior brand of whiskey!)
Watch this space,
jetfour