Radio aerial (1 Viewer)

[Baden87]

anyone got a recommendation for putting a better one instead of the abysmal one one my Autotrail Apache Fiat Ducato 2008 ( I believe the original is in the door mirror ?)

 

[Northernraider]

anyone got a recommendation for putting a better one instead of the abysmal one one my Autotrail Apache Fiat Ducato 2008 ( I believe the original is in the door mirror ?)

My van is a 2008 fiat Ducati based a class
My radio Ariel is here bottom of windscreen
Think it's a pioneer but seems to work good

 

[Baden87]

that looks ok ,where did you get it?

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[Northernraider]

that looks ok ,where did you get it?

It was already fitted when I got the van I thought it was standard

 

[Devon Sue]

We were only wondering today if the radio aerial is rubbish, we lost reception on radio 2 less than 20 miles from home, then it only returned very intermittently. Where would the original most likely be fitted so that we can check that there actually is one. Maybe that's another item where Fiat have cut corners and fitted an inferior one.

Our last van, also a Fiat, was perfect, we could even pick up English radio when we got off the ferry in Roscoff.

 

[Abacist]

As I understand it the standard fitment for aerials on Fiat Ducato's is in the passenger door mirror.

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[Baden87]

Yes I also believe they are in the mirror , but need to find out what everyone else are using to get good signals (not dab)

 

[tonyidle]

There's only one really decent aerial position and type. There's no magic involved and no fancily-described alternative: that is as high as possible, of decent quality, and for some types, with the best ground plane you can arrange. Every other position and type is to conform with styling or ease of mounting. These days I'd mount a dual DAB / FM aerial on the roof (in fact l have). DAB with a decent aerial is brilliant more than 90% of the time - it's biggest advantage in a vehicle is seamless handover from one transmitter to the next with no fade or noise. But FM is there if needed for the few times DAB isn't available.

 

[ivorantony]

There's only one really decent aerial position and type. There's no magic involved and no fancily-described alternative: that is as high as possible, of decent quality, and for some types, with the best ground plane you can arrange. Every other position and type is to conform with styling or ease of mounting. These days I'd mount a dual DAB / FM aerial on the roof (in fact l have). DAB with a decent aerial is brilliant more than 90% of the time - it's biggest advantage in a vehicle is seamless handover from one transmitter to the next with no fade or noise. But FM is there if needed for the few times DAB isn't available.

Totally agree with Tony, there is no short cut for radio reception, use the best quality aerial as high up as possible with a good ground plane,
My A class has a fibre glass roof so made the ground plane more difficult
but when fitted i can receive DAB transmission, practically everywhere in the U.K.,
I used this site to get the correct kit if anyone is interested,
http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/

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[Baden87]

so will digital be ok for an FM only radio?

 

[tonyidle]

so will digital be ok for an FM only radio?

No (although you may hear otherwise). The best dual (DAB / FM) aerials have dual co-ax from the aerial base. There's no reason to buy a dual one if you will only ever need FM. But given the effort involved in running the coax from the aerial to the radio it's not a bad idea to future-proof.

 

[Baden87]

so tonyidle any recommendations

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[tonyidle]

so tonyidle any recommendations

This is the one I used:

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[Northernraider]

Alternatively change the head unit for a cheap Bluetooth unit off eBay and then run a radio app on your tablet or phone through the stereo.

£15 for the stereo off eBay and any radio station you want anywhere

 

[tonyidle]

Alternatively change the head unit for a cheap Bluetooth unit off eBay and then run a radio app on your tablet or phone through the stereo.

£15 for the stereo off eBay and any radio station you want anywhere

That requires a permanent mobile data signal and costs mobile data.

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[Northernraider]

That requires a permanent mobile data signal and costs mobile data.

I've never had a problem with it and uses little data . But it means I get any radio station I want crystal clear

 

[Baden87]

what does anyone else have recommended replacements that work