Ducato radio

[bikerscan]

We've got an 18 plate Ducato and the radio reception is pants.
Is there any known fixes we have wifi in the van but can't find anything on forums

Cheers

 

[trevskoda]

Radio garden, every station on earth.

 

[Canalsman]

I transformed radio reception by fitting one of these:

Blaupunkt Autofun FunLine AM/FM in car windscreen aerial antenna

Blaupunkt Autofun FunLine AM/FM in car windscreen aerial antenna easy to install on screen adhesive disc aerial for fixing to the inside of a vehicle window

www.incarconnections.co.uk

Alternatively there are many apps available e.g. BBC Sounds, TuneIn etc...

 

[Boris7]

If you have wifi then its simple enough as long as you can connect your phone to the Ducatos stereo, if you cant do that then change the radio to on that will allow car play or android play

 

[bikerscan]

I transformed radio reception by fitting one of these:

Blaupunkt Autofun FunLine AM/FM in car windscreen aerial antenna

Blaupunkt Autofun FunLine AM/FM in car windscreen aerial antenna easy to install on screen adhesive disc aerial for fixing to the inside of a vehicle window

www.incarconnections.co.uk

Alternatively there are many apps available e.g. BBC Sounds, TuneIn etc...

Were you able to get the wires to the radio easily?

 

[Canalsman]

Were you able to get the wires to the radio easily?

I've had two of these. One in my previous 'van, an elderly Peugeot Boxer, and my X250 Ducato. I fitted it in the Boxer but the Ducato installation was done by a mobile fitter.

I think he had to remove the drop down bin to route the coax connection and power source which is connected to a switched 12v power source. It took him about 30 minutes all told.

The aerial is powered because it contains a booster. This is stuck to the windscreen and has two translucent antennae that adhere to the windscreen, one running vertically and the other horizontally.

It really works well.

 

[Martin P]

The radio reception in our Renault/Homecar/Lunar coachbuilt is rubbish too. I found out why when I had the cab ceiling panel out of it once and found the aerial had just been lobbed in loose. I think its probably "standard practice" At least if its not visible somewhere

 

[trevskoda]

All antenas require a metal ground plane as all are a quarter wave, if short then they have a winding coil to make up the length, you are better with a long unit, aometimes a booster will help, best place is on top of the roof as its clear of all sheilding efects of the cab.
Mi 1 dti is my licenced radio call sign.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Ducato radio? Is that the ship moored next to Caroline?

Sorry, I’ll get me coat…

 

[Sid]

I took a similar idea to Trevskoda, but he probs did the calcs better than me. I knew it was necessary to have a ground plane and hence why most m/hs have rubbish radio reception. So I got an amplified antenna and stuck it on a square aluminium sheet that had the width of my solar panel (~620 mm). Not had a problem since. I did replace the head unit as well to a Kenwood....other makes are available but I am a bit of a fan.

 

[trevskoda]

All explaned here, centre of roof is best.