Radio reception is rubbish

Just reading through these posts. We have a similar problem. Had a brand new radio fitted a while ago & still getting intermitent loss of channels whilst driving! The steel aerial is sited on the nearside wing. Solutions please???? Thanks :sad:
 
I've got a halfrauds screen DAB aerial with a bit that sticks to the metal pillar. Works well, until I turn the TV on which is just below it. Tuning before anyone pipes up...

The standard sprinter FM aerial works fine too, with a decent head unit.
 
I have tried using my tablet with FM radio app connected to the radio by a jack lead and using mobile internet then the radio works great. :scared:
 
campertwo said:
Just reading through these posts. We have a similar problem. Had a brand new radio fitted a while ago & still getting intermitent loss of channels whilst driving! The steel aerial is sited on the nearside wing. Solutions please???? Thanks :sad:
Click to expand...

must be above the ground plane,roof roof roof and make sure you have a ground plane if f/ glass roof,a sheet of tin foil will do or alloy a sq foot or so or if there is a frame member put a wire from antenna grount to that point.
 
Ok, maybe I'll try the screen sticky aerial thingy before I decide to drill a hole in the roof? :rolleyes2: Thanks for that.
 
Ok, fitted the aerial yesterday. A 12inch long one with little box attached that sticks to the inside of windscreen behind the mirror. Powered by the live radio feed & earth to an existing bolt in the roof headlining tray (some of you will know what I mean) The hardest part was feeding the wires along the top of the screen & particulary down through & into the dash (dismantle time) so they couln't be seen! Anyway it works well on the driveway, but the test will be when we go away next weekend? I'll let y'all know. Btw it costs £13 from ebay shop inc p&p. :dance:
 
hurricane said:
Looking for some advice on a decent radio aerial.
My MH has an internal amplified one fitted onto the windscreen
Click to expand...
Amplified internal antenna are all rubbish. However nowadays even external antennas can't reach a proper signal.

FM coverage has worsened over the years. Broadcasters don't invest in FM repeaters and in some cases switch to web-only (Jazz FM is one case). DAB is even worse.

I am not mobile at the moment but I get a good FM reception by plugging a rtl-srd device like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C37AZXK/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

into my laptop and the install SDRSharp. The included antenna is just ok, but one could attach a longer piece of wire. With a decent antenna, even a couple of metres of wire hanging out your window, and that dongle, I can get good signals.

If instead of SDRsharp you install the included software (BlazeVideo), then you get a few digital radios and many digital TV stations.
 
profiterole said:
Amplified internal antenna are all rubbish. However nowadays even external antennas can't reach a proper signal.

FM coverage has worsened over the years. Broadcasters don't invest in FM repeaters and in some cases switch to web-only (Jazz FM is one case). DAB is even worse.

I am not mobile at the moment but I get a good FM reception by plugging a rtl-srd device like this:
Amazon.com: RTL-SDR, FM+DAB, DVB-T USB Stick Set with RTL2832U & R820T. Great SDR for SDR#, HDSDR: Electronics

into my laptop and the install SDRSharp. The included antenna is just ok, but one could attach a longer piece of wire. With a decent antenna, even a couple of metres of wire hanging out your window, and that dongle, I can get good signals.

If instead of SDRsharp you install the included software (BlazeVideo), then you get a few digital radios and many digital TV stations.
Click to expand...

Whilst I agree digital coverage is crap much of my problems with FM have been caused by noisy power supplies forsatnavs etc. I now check out newones for noise before using them in the car or van.
 
maxi77 said:
Whilst I agree digital coverage is crap much of my problems with FM have been caused by noisy power supplies forsatnavs etc. I now check out newones for noise before using them in the car or van.
Click to expand...
If you think interference on FM is bad, you should see what it has done to short waves. I've had to give up my favourite hobby (ham radio listening) because I'm surrounded by switched power supplies. I'm sure inside a camper it's more or less the same.

The advantage of the dongle I've mentioned is that it's tiny antenna has a magnetic base that can be stuck to your roof when needed. Bigger antennas can be connected too. Buy them from Ebay USA or Amazon USA. Check that they ship to the UK and keep each order under £15 (including shipping).

I bought the dongle last year when it was only £7 including shipping from China.
 
profiterole said:
Amplified internal antenna are all rubbish. However nowadays even external antennas can't reach a proper signal.

FM coverage has worsened over the years. Broadcasters don't invest in FM repeaters and in some cases switch to web-only (Jazz FM is one case). DAB is even worse.

I am not mobile at the moment but I get a good FM reception by plugging a rtl-srd device like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C37AZXK/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

into my laptop and the install SDRSharp. The included antenna is just ok, but one could attach a longer piece of wire. With a decent antenna, even a couple of metres of wire hanging out your window, and that dongle, I can get good signals.

If instead of SDRsharp you install the included software (BlazeVideo), then you get a few digital radios and many digital TV stations.
Click to expand...

Doh!!!:mad2:
 
Just returned from a nice weekend away & as far as the reception from the new screen aerial is concerned....................... no difference really! :mad1:
I guess the signal is being blocked by the slight overhang of the cab?
Damn!! Thought I may have cracked it by now? So I may have to start drilling a hole in the roof (hate saying that) & install a short roof aerial! Mad again :mad1:
 
campertwo said:
Just returned from a nice weekend away & as far as the reception from the new screen aerial is concerned....................... no difference really! :mad1:
I guess the signal is being blocked by the slight overhang of the cab?
Damn!! Thought I may have cracked it by now? So I may have to start drilling a hole in the roof (hate saying that) & install a short roof aerial! Mad again :mad1:
Click to expand...

use a full quarter wave stick rather than a loaded antenna and make sure its earthed or a sheet of tin as a ground ,as big as you can fitt if required ,but if your roof is alloy rather than grp you will be ok.:idea:
 
campertwo said:
Just returned from a nice weekend away & as far as the reception from the new screen aerial is concerned....................... no difference really! :mad1:
I guess the signal is being blocked by the slight overhang of the cab?
Damn!! Thought I may have cracked it by now? So I may have to start drilling a hole in the roof (hate saying that) & install a short roof aerial! Mad again :mad1:
Click to expand...

May I refer you to my posting at the beginning of this thread ...

POI Admin said:
I have a Blaupunkt windscreen mounted aerial. Details can be found here: Blaupunkt FunLine AM/FM Disc internal windscreen antenna

This works well on FM but is not so good on AM (but usable).

I would recommend it, though a good quality externally mounted aerial should be better.
Click to expand...
 
profiterole said:
Amplified internal antenna are all rubbish. However nowadays even external antennas can't reach a proper signal.

FM coverage has worsened over the years. Broadcasters don't invest in FM repeaters and in some cases switch to web-only (Jazz FM is one case). DAB is even worse.

I am not mobile at the moment but I get a good FM reception by plugging a rtl-srd device like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C37AZXK/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

into my laptop and the install SDRSharp. The included antenna is just ok, but one could attach a longer piece of wire. With a decent antenna, even a couple of metres of wire hanging out your window, and that dongle, I can get good signals.

If instead of SDRsharp you install the included software (BlazeVideo), then you get a few digital radios and many digital TV stations.
Click to expand...

I have just ordered this dongle from Amazon. Will keep you posted results when it arrives.

http://www.amazon.com/KEEDOX®-RTL-S...d_sim_e_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0V0BDJT12E9FDW3HM570

Have also installed SDRsharp so should be ready for dongle.
 
trevskoda said:
being a rad ham i can tell you a outide antenna is best ,most are cut to one quarter or half wave which uses the van metal as the other half of the wave ps look up half wave dipole on net all will become clear.
you want the antenna as close to the middle of the roof as posable as this will give you a omnidirection creception .if you have a roof hatch nere you could work from there .a magmount will not work on alloy.
You may be able to make some sort of clip /bracket to mount antenna as long as its grounded it will work fine.
No antenna will work under the roof line as its being sheilded <faradays cage>hope this helps regards trev.
Click to expand...

Some very 'sound' advice OM G6FDO dah-di-dah

Captain Biggles :plane:
 
There is NO SUBITUTE for a quality roof aerial with good ground plane,
You can chuck money at it by buying stick on and rubber duck aerials but in the long term I suggest you bite the bullet and do the the job properly and just the once! IMO:dance:
 
Aerials

Just the thread I need, I need to replace the aerial on my Autocruise Starfire 2002, it's mounted on the o/s front wing, how do I get to underneath to remove it and fit the new one, any help appreciated.
 
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