Hi folks.
I upgraded from an RD4 to and RD45 a couple of months back, and overall quite happy with it, as it gives the bluetooth connection that I wanted for phone calls and music.
However, one major downside since installing it - the FM reception is mediocre. The radio will, as the signal weakens, hang on to the station for FAR too long, to the point that the station will be almost entirely static, usually until you force it to retune, and then it may not come back with anything better.
The RD45 is a single-tuner type, as it's in a Berlingo, with a roof-mount, 80cm long aerial.
Things I've tried...
Cleaning connections at the mast and base.
Installing an inline amplifier.
Changing the RD45 to "active" antenna type.
None of these have really improved matters.
Couple of other things I could try,
Adjusting the LO\DX curve - if anyone has any suggestions here I'm all ears.
A new aerial - I've been stumped here, as finding am 80cm mast appears impossible, most are 40cm long, or various "stubby" styles. I'm happy to change to eg a factory amplified type it if it will solve the problem, but if anyone can point me in the right direction for a replacement that would also be good.
RD45 - Poor Reception
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Paul-R
- Moderating Team
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- Joined: 07 May 2009, 16:24
- x 1865
Re: RD45 - Poor Reception
Just thinking out loud here but it seems to me that the RD45 came from a vehicle with two antennas. Do you know what vehicle it came from? Does the rear of the RD45 have an unused aerial connection? Did the RD4 only have a single aerial connection?
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.
Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.
"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.
"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
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shtu
- (Donor 2023)
- Posts: 225
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Re: RD45 - Poor Reception
It's apparently from a Peugeot 3008.
Both RD4 and RD45 are single-tuner models, and configured as 1 antenna in the config. I've tried setting the antenna as passive and active, with no apparent difference to reception. The amp I've tried is a basic ebay thing, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204710664673
I did wonder if the lo\dx curve needed adjusting, but can't find any info on the differences.
Both RD4 and RD45 are single-tuner models, and configured as 1 antenna in the config. I've tried setting the antenna as passive and active, with no apparent difference to reception. The amp I've tried is a basic ebay thing, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204710664673
I did wonder if the lo\dx curve needed adjusting, but can't find any info on the differences.
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shtu
- (Donor 2023)
- Posts: 225
- Joined: 09 Dec 2023, 16:19
- x 54
Re: RD45 - Poor Reception
Well. I have unleashed the mother of all bodges.
I decided to try getting a bit of copper wire, sandwiching the copper between the mast and base where they screw together, and cutting it to match the length of the mast.
95% better.
I've heatshrunk that in place so it even looks OK, and that will do until I can source a replacement mast.
In the meantime, if anyone has any info on the lo\dx curve settings in the radio, I'd be glad to hear it.
I decided to try getting a bit of copper wire, sandwiching the copper between the mast and base where they screw together, and cutting it to match the length of the mast.
95% better.
I've heatshrunk that in place so it even looks OK, and that will do until I can source a replacement mast.
In the meantime, if anyone has any info on the lo\dx curve settings in the radio, I'd be glad to hear it.