Ducato poor radio reception fixed

[GJH]

When we first had our van the radio worked fine but it was gradually getting worse. The aerial (photo attached) came loose from time to time and I kept tightening it up but it made no difference.

Last month I removed the radio to check connections and the only accessible potential problem I could find was the screw connection for the aerial mast. On the grounds that I couldn't lose anything I stuck the end of the mast into a jar of petroleum jelly before screwing it in again.

We've since been up to South Shields and back then over to Oldham, down to Cardiff and back home to Tees-side and the radio has been fine. A similar solution might be worth trying by anyone else having reception problems.

 

[wizzer59]

I like listening to Radio 2 but I've noticed in my work van that the reception is poo, only trouble is Radio 1 is fine so not sure this will work but worth a try thanks Graham.

 

[jhorsf]

When we first had our van the radio worked fine but it was gradually getting worse. The aerial (photo attached) came loose from time to time and I kept tightening it up but it made no difference.

Last month I removed the radio to check connections and the only accessible potential problem I could find was the screw connection for the aerial mast. On the grounds that I couldn't lose anything I stuck the end of the mast into a jar of petroleum jelly before screwing it in again.

We've since been up to South Shields and back then over to Oldham, down to Cardiff and back home to Tees-side and the radio has been fine. A similar solution might be worth trying by anyone else having reception problems.

that made me laugh must just be my sense of humour

 

[GJH]

that made me laugh must just be my sense of humour

I deliberately included the words "of the mast" because I know the way some people on here think

 

[PORKSTER]

I will take a look at mine also as radio reception is poor to say the least

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[Jaws]

I have been watching dome figures over the past few years.. figures that are meaningless to most folk but....

The main FM transmitters seem to have been lowering the output power slowly.. As a digital service in an area gets ramped up, so the old FM transmitters are dropping

Same thing happened to analogue television
As and when digital channels became available so the main analogue signals dropped

Folk get poor reception and decide it is time to 'upgrade'.

Eventually there are so few folk left on the 'old fashioned' system the powers that be can turn it off stating a lack of use..

Radio is likely to take a lot longer to fully implement the change over but it IS happening ..................

 

[PP Bear]

My friend told me how he used Vaseline as an aid to sex and a peaceful nights sleep

Told me he smeared it all over the bedroom door handle, so the kids couldn't get in at night

 

[BreweryDave]

Changed mine for a DAB digital
Radio - perfect wherever we go - In the UK. Don't work in France tho!

 

[BreweryDave]

came loose from time to time and I kept tightening it up but it made no difference.

On the grounds that I couldn't lose anything I stuck the end into a jar of petroleum jelly before screwing it in again.

 

[RS_rob]

Changed mine for a DAB digital
Radio - perfect wherever we go - In the UK. Don't work in France tho!

What radio Dave ?
weve tried DAB & its cak here even the home dab is a waste of space so it be interesting to know what works in your van
On the FM side ive given up on normal antennas but have one last attempt before I drill a hole in the roof

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[SMB]

Radio reception in my van has always been crap, no idea where the aerial is as its built-in somewhere (well, being a Swift why am I not surprised). I think I have read in previous posts that this is a common problem, anyone any idea how to fix this (without the aid of Vaseline please)

 

[RS_rob]

Radio reception in my van has always been crap, no idea where the aerial is as its built-in somewhere (well, being a Swift why am I not surprised). I think I have read in previous posts that this is a common problem, anyone any idea how to fix this (without the aid of Vaseline please)

A common theme of late is inside the passenger wing mirror, nothing beat a good old fashioned lump of steel on your roof & the longer the better but im afraid its come down to science nowdays.

 

[SMB]

Yr right, I was considering DAB but not much point if it doesn't work abroad. I understand that this may change soon as they are bringing out another type which will work in multiple countries, until then it's the MP3 player for me

 

[GJH]

When we had the Autoquest the cab radio reception wasn't too bad but a bit patchy. However, using a portable FM radio when camped was fairly useless. Not so a DAB radio - I bought a cheap mono set from Argos Clearance on eBay and it was fine.

These days we tend to use the radio only when travelling, for traffic reports mainly, so the cab radio is the only one we have with us.

 

[PORKSTER]

While camped up I use the TV for radio but I have been thinking of changing head unit for something with USB connection. Or something I can tether my phone to for music any ideas suggestions ? Also is it possible at wall to get British radio in van in France/Spain ? Ta

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[Badknee]

Yes, length definitely matters

 

[callumwa]

We have also experienced the crap radio signal on the original van unit.

So I changed the head unit so I can now just plug my iphone into it via the auxiliary socket.
Perfect clear digital radio now via the free "Tuneit" App, be it on BBC, Commercial radio whatever...

Brill... and it even worked in Europe....

 

[RS_rob]

Over in the states they have mobile satellite radio, i cant comment on the quality but from programs like ice road truckers & from what i can gather from the internet it is reliable.
They are giving up on the DAB service cos its crap & intend to adopt something else.
Satellite is the way me thinks.

 

[Minxy]

We've had bad radio reception for a while, we like listening to Radio 2 when travelling and when we went up to Scotland and then back down via Northumberland it was so bad that it was the last straw so hubby bit the bullet and bought another aerial for the princely sum of £3.95 delivered which arrived the other day and was duly screwed on in place of the original, now instead of just a handful of stations we get loads and also several to choose from for the same station, eg whereas before there was only one Radio 2 'spot' on the range, there are now at least three, and as for Radio 4 ... we must have at least 6 'spots' to choose from! Its early days yet but it is much, much better than the original cr@p aerial.

Broken Link Removed​

 

[BreweryDave]

What radio Dave ?
weve tried DAB & its cak here even the home dab is a waste of space so it be interesting to know what works in your van
On the FM side ive given up on normal antennas but have one last attempt before I drill a hole in the roof

I'll inform more tomorrow when sober!

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[Jazzbow]

We have also experienced the crap radio signal on the original van unit.

So I changed the head unit so I can now just plug my iphone into it via the auxiliary socket.
Perfect clear digital radio now via the free "Tuneit" App, be it on BBC, Commercial radio whatever...

Brill... and it even worked in Europe....

Does this use your data allowance though?

 

[callumwa]

Does this use your data allowance though?

Yes it does use data allowance, but with "all you can eat" unlimited data it does not matter,and with 3 "Feel at Home" we can use in in many European Countries as well.