Insulation affecting radio aerial?

Paaa

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Subject:

Insulation affecting radio aerial?

· Posted: 17.04.2020 · #1

I've put in some earthwool and low-e foam/foil in the luton space of my peugeot boxer today, covering up the aerial unit inside, but making sure not to unplug anything etc. When I took it for a drive though, my radio could only pick up Lyric FM, and even that was a bit patchy...

I'm as partial to a bitta Lyric as anyone but is there any way the foil is interfering with the signal? Has anyone else noticed anything like this?

Daffysparks

Subject:

Re: Insulation affecting radio aerial?

· Posted: 17.04.2020 · #2

The foil could certainly be interfering with the signal. Why do you think all the crazies wear tinfoil hats

A lot of people get crap reception in their Motorhomes anyway. I went through a good few aerials before I could get a satisfactory signal in our low profile MH

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mad max

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Subject:

Re: Insulation affecting radio aerial?

· Posted: 17.04.2020 · #3

Quote by Daffysparks

I went through a good few aerials before I could get a satisfactory signal in our low profile MH

What did you settle on?

I went through similar trying different aerials and kinda gave up,

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Daffysparks

Subject:

Re: Insulation affecting radio aerial?

· Posted: 17.04.2020 · #4

I got an 800 mm antenna. Marine one I think, or maybe that was the previous one. If I can find a reference to it, I’ll put it up

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The Rambler

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Subject:

Re: Insulation affecting radio aerial?

· Posted: 17.04.2020 · #5

It sounds like you might have built a bit of a Faraday cage around your antenna Paaa. If you could try peel back the foil around the antenna you might get better reception.

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Daffysparks

Subject:

Re: Insulation affecting radio aerial?

· Posted: 17.04.2020 · #6

I don’t know how to put up a link to it, but here’s a screenshot. So far so good. Best reception we have had in 3 1/2 years in the MH

mad max

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Re: Insulation affecting radio aerial?

· Posted: 17.04.2020 · #7

Thanks for that Daffy,

Sorry im no use to you Paaa,

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AliPhatCamper

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Subject:

Re: Insulation affecting radio aerial?

· Posted: 18.04.2020 · #8

I don't know if this applies to all radios but it does apply to Volkswagen Transporters T4's. The standard, factory fit, radio has a built in amplifier to ensure good reception.

When you remove the factory fit radio and install an all singing and dancing radio it possibly does not have an in-built amplifier.

In this case reception can be improved by fitting an inline amplifier. Search Fakra amplifier and spend less than a tenner on Amazon or EBay.

I know you gals and guys like to fidget during lockdown. Stay safe.

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