Terrible radio reception.

[MagicWagon]

I just fitted a new radio/CD player but the reception is awful. I only get one FM channel and a couple of really hissy am channels. Reception locally in my other vehicles is spot on. The old radio didn't work at all so I can't compare that. I've got an aerial on the A pillar. I know you can get a "booster" from halfords which I used on an Audi once, but I think that just provides power to an amplified aerial so doubt it would help. Replace aerial ? Screen stick on aerial ? Any other suggestions welcome.

[Mocki]

proove the radio actually works by another antenna
( 75mm of copper wire to the centre pin of the antenna connector would be near enough a 1/4 wave for boardcast radio to test it ( with the cab doors open obliously because of the faraday cage effect)

contiunity check on the centre pin of the coaxual plug for the antenna to the actual antenna element and there should be 75ohms across between inner and outer

[nordberg]

I brought a couple of ALDI car stereos because they were deckless and a lot smaller, and also were bluetooth. However, the reception is pretty rubbish for the radio and I am told that they really need a booster to work. I've brought the boosters but not fitted yet. Just wondered if you are in a similar situation with your stereo?

[MagicWagon]

Its fairly decent Clarion, so I would expect the quality to be OK.
I took some measurements with my meter and found the following
Inner pin to outer - Open circuit
Inner pin to aerial pole - Open circuit
Inner pin to earth - Open circuit
Outer sheath to earth 0.5 Ohm
Outer sheath to aerial pole - Initially @ 700k Ohms but increases over a couple of minutes until levels off around 900k ohms

Does this all mean the aerial has had it ?
Thanks

[Mocki]

Yep, that antenna is no connected to the radio !

You should have a direct connection between the antenna mast and the centre pin, 0 ohms, short circuit if you like
As should be the body of the van to the outer connection of the antenna coax and the braiding

No broadcast anologue radio should need a booster with a adequate antenna really . ( unless it is a active antenna with a reduced physical length

[MagicWagon]

Thanks for that info. So it seems that the aerial is a gonner. Its not in great shape on the outside either. I've been looking into whether I could get an internal stick-on-the-glass aerial, but the reviews seem a bit sketchy, so I guess I will go for a replacement similar to my existing a-pillar mounted job. Just hope I can use the same holes !

[Mocki]

Brickworks don't sell them, they say they were never fitted by VW

However a quick Google finds
http://www.status-vw.co.uk/035-vag-503- ... -1992.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MagicWagon]

The status one seems the same as the justkampers one. Same part number and every thing. I did see that but it had mixed reviews considering the price.
Brickwerks do one at £5.40 but post is highish. I ordered one that looks the same as the justkampers one for £8 on ebay, so fingers crossed its not a piece of junk.

[Mocki]

I stand corrected then..... When I searched brickworks it said they don't sell them.....

[MagicWagon]

New aerial arrived. It turned out to be and Autoleads one, so not the worst quality. Fitted it and now pick up loads of stations so very pleased. Thanks all.

[ghost123uk]

Just add to what Mocki says, don't bother with "Aerial boosters" or "Aerial amps" of the type that fit in the coax lead. They simply do not offer any better reception. Some of them are a total rip off and do not even have any amplification parts inside them. They are being sold as "aerial amps" but in fact are just phantom power supplies (for use with a special type of installation, not like your usual T25 camper installation).