Aerial (1 Viewer)

[glenn2926]

This maybe an idea, I’m going to be having the radio head unit replaced over this winter. The current aerial is a rubbish screen mounted thing. My question is, can the TV aerial be used as a cab radio aerial? Running the cable could be fun but if it’s doable it might be a solution. The current TV aerial has a box that needs to be switched on for the TV I think. Would this need to be switched on for the radio? This aerial doesn’t get used for the TV as we never watch TV when we’re away in the van.
Thanks in advance,
Glenn.

 

[SteveJ]

I think it really depends on the aerial. I hooked my old head unit up to the old Status TV aerial we had fitted (much like you we don't bother with TV when we're away) and it was OK, not great, but usable. With the booster turned on definitely better. When I replaced the head unit a couple of years ago the reception using that aerial was next to useless. Tried the usual screen mounted ones but no joy there. Ended up fitting a decent aerial from DabOnWheels, get better reception then in the car, which has a factory fitted DAB aerial.

 

[glenn2926]

I think it really depends on the aerial. I hooked my old head unit up to the old Status TV aerial we had fitted (much like you we don't bother with TV when we're away) and it was OK, not great, but usable. With the booster turned on definitely better. When I replaced the head unit a couple of years ago the reception using that aerial was next to useless. Tried the usual screen mounted ones but no joy there. Ended up fitting a decent aerial from DabOnWheels, get better reception then in the car, which has a factory fitted DAB aerial.

Definitely don’t want DAB I had it in a car. Great reception unless you moved. Which is sort of the purpose of a car. Every time I tuned the DAB in it was really good but as soon as I drove anywhere I had to retune it. So just whatever the other way is called will do me.
It sounds like I will need to drill and fit a new aerial into the front wing. The roof is plastic so I don’t think an aerial would work up there plus I really don’t want to drill holes in my roof.
Thanks again.

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[pandas]

Thought everybody used DAB - you might want to give it another go. Never had an issue. We have an arial specifically for the radio but strangely actually also works the tv - only found out by forgetting to put the dish up!

 

[Richard n Ann]

Our radio is just FM which we use in the UK, but abroad I tune it into the FM transmitter gadget so we can have any station in the world on with perfect reception via smartphone Internet radio
DAB is so last century

 

[rod_vw]

VW Transporter aerials are in the wing mirrors, that may be a possibility for you?

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[Richard n Ann]

VW Transporter aerials are in the wing mirrors, that may be a possibility for you?

Think ours is

 

[Lenny HB]

Thought everybody used DAB - you might want to give it another go. Never had an issue. We have an arial specifically for the radio but strangely actually also works the tv - only found out by forgetting to put the dish up!

Not strange at all Hymer fit amplifiers for TV, DAB & FM.

 

[Landy Andy]

Don’t bother, just use data and radio app on phone. Even if DAB works, which most time it doesn’t, it still won’t when abroad. Data does

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[Vipar]

I had a boxer with aerial in the mirror. Absolutely useless. Put a rubber ducky one on the near side wing much much better.

 

[GAVLAD]

I replaced the head unit for a Blaupunkt Stockholm and had it fit by Autosound in Bradford.
They’ve been around for about 25years and used to exhibit at Motorhome shows.
They do a lot of work on trucks and coaches so are used to running cables.
They fit a digital aerial to the front wing and a booster box to the inside windscreen.
The DAB is good but I can never remember how to work the stereo. Too many buttons.
I tend to use it more with my music on a USB stick.
They looked into a roof mounted aerial as initially, I didn’t want the wing drilling but ended up being guided by them.