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kentucky

Hi everyone

i have a merc sprinter as a base vehicle and as standard the aerial is fitted in cab roof because it is a coachbuilt when I bought the dealers put a screen aerial on instead
this was usless so I moved it and stuck it on side window on overcab much better but still a lot of fade on radio 2 it is an rds radio

looking for a good quality one that works

regards all

Geoff

Malc

Irrespective of the antenna type and position, the ideal way to fit is into the metel part of the cab or van body. All radios are fitted with a co-axial plug with a centre pin and grounded outer sheath connection, if mounted onto fibreglass with no electrical conductivity it will 1 Not be grounded leading to possible interferance from electrical sources and 2 not show the correct impeadance to the output plug.
For the ultimate reception look at the range of frequencies you are normally used to listening to, ie VHF band 85-106 Mhz and buy a antenna suitable for the range (usually shown on the box/packaging) advoiding rubber duck types if possble which are at best a compromise and mount it on a metel part of the van ensuring a good earth for the outer part of the connection. Ideally a full antenna on this band operating efficiently will be in a region of 2.25 m tall. Happy listening.
Malc

Anonymous

As Malc says, the principle problem is the lack of a 'ground plane' in a fibreglass motorhome. Buying a tuned antenna is a good idea, although it woudn't need to be full-wave (and hence over 2m long for FM) Agreed that rubber ducks aren't great.

Apparently screen antennas are good for digital radio, but I haven't tried. I also haven't tried connecting the grounding (outer) sheath of the coax to the chassis in the hope this will act as a decent ground plane - anyone?

Not a decisive answer I know, it's really a bit of a fundamental problem. The antenna on our EuraMobil isn't great, but we get all the major stations without significant interference. I'm not sure if it's wired to the chassis, I'll have to take a look.

kentucky

thanks both
i know how they work and what you need in an ideal world but with motorhomes everything is a not ideal and somethings work better than others like the screen non groundplane areial's
i have a cheap one that the dealer fitted but i wonder if there is one that costs a bit more and works
regards
geoff

Malc

I would think that about the best would be with a good quality telescopic antenna,routing the cable as far away from the engine compartment as practical or at least away from wiper motors etc. Any good car accessory place would stock them or Maplins online. Ensure that it is grounded to metal even if it means re-sealing underseal afterwards.
Regards Malc

dodger148

If you want to stick the aerial onto the plastic bit of the van, visit a marine radio stockist and get one for a boat, they do work.
Alternatively you could get a mount for a mirror/ladder and fit a aerial to that.
What I did for my 2mtr/70cm transceiver aerial on our van was to mount on the ladder and extend via jubilee clips and a cable the effective ground plane to the roof rack to give me a greater area of metallic ground plane. For a receiver you shouldnt need to go to those extremes.
Seen a few new vans this week end with marine aerials mounted on side of luton

kentucky

thanks dodger
it was a simple answer its me going gar gar i should no better
lasped G0 bbh not used for ten years
regards to all
geoff

Anonymous

I forgot to mention the ham radio. Ben's M3BVT and Lizzie's M3EAB, but we don't get on very much, and when we do only on 2m and 70cms.

Is a guy with the nickname 'Teabags' on this site??

Anonymous

This forum is more like a Hamfest meeting.

Ken S. (G4WQA(lasped))

dodger148

Well as we are posting call signs, mine is 2E0EUS, I still have M3EUS till September. At the end of the main camping season, who know? cos M0 and those letters are already taken