Extending range of radio coverage

[Alstom 888M]

Hi all, first time poster.

I would like to find a way to extend the range of my cars radio. Disco 2.

Would a different antennae help? I like to travel to remote outback areas when I'm on leave.

[LandyAndy]

Welcome Aboard.
When I had a D2,its reception was generally good in rural areas,but it was an Alpine unit with a stacker.
Check your glass antenna,rear rhs glass to see in the wires are connected and also look at the tracks on the glass for scratches/breaks,you can get a fix for these,look for the repair glue for rear window demisters.
You can buy a CB style antenna for roo bar or bracket mounting if need be.
Must admit the reception in my D4 on AM or FM for that matter isnt as good as the D2.
Andrew

[onebob]

Hi all, first time poster.

I would like to find a way to extend the range of my cars radio. Disco 2.

Would a different antennae help? I like to travel to remote outback areas when I'm on leave.

G'day, I researched this as well and will buy an antenna from here ...

Mobile One Antennas (http://www.mobileone.com.au/4b_amfm.html)

I have no affilliation with Mobile One apart from them being my first choice when I'm purchasing AM/UHF CB antenna's over what is for nearly 40 years. Their only negative point is that they're not theft proof :D:p

[cjc_td5]

The d2 radio antenna is in the rh rear glass with an amplifier. For one trip away the fridge in the rear interfered with the radio reception. The aerial plugs into the rear of the radio with a normal plug so I just plugged in a new aerial and ran the lead up and mounted an aerial on the roof rail. Had much better reception than the glass aerial, even with the amplifier bypassed.

[Alstom 888M]

Thanks, so it's as simple as mounting a new antennae? Is there a certain type I should look for? I mostly listen to AM talkback radio, footy, cricket, etc.

Are there any other variables i.e. head unit?

[ramblingboy42]

Mate , I have been driving through and across Australia for 45yrs and I don't think AM reception has improved at all in that time , regardless of aerial types.

I have a list of radio station frequencies in am and fm and I tune my car radio to those frequencies in order of distance over my trip. it doesnt take very long to do and most radios have that function .

Its interesting that triple has just about the best national coverage on fm.....if you like jjj

[Don 130]

Welcome to the forum. Further to what Onebob has posted above, on the link he's put up, scroll down to near the bottom. The M2W antenna is 5' (very long), is tuned for AM/FM and will suck signals in from vast distances. You will not be disappointed. If you ring Mobile One and talk to Peter, you'll get answers to all your questions, he's very knowledgable and helpful. And no, they're not paying me.
Don.

[Blknight.aus]

IF you listen to AM radio I wouldnt be worryign about getting a new antennae for it.

AM radio is being defuncted in the nearish future, with FM not being too far behind.

[rovers4]

Hi All,

Being in a state that has yet to get DAB+ I have sort of been following the scene.


Just recently there was a statement made that finally there would be a roll-out of DAB+ in the Hobart, Canberra and Darwin (I think?) areas.

It also stated that as opposed to other countries where FM and AM were being withdrawn, Australia would keep all formats.

This reflects the population densities, the distances between population centres and the terrain.

So, hopefully AM will be around for a while yet.

[Blknight.aus]

I thought, and dont quote me, the AM/FM phase out was because that chunk of the spectrum was being re purposed.

If the rest of the world starts using it for something else I dont think we'll get much of a say.

[JDNSW]

For most of the area of Australia there is no alternative to AM/FM radio, simply because of the low population densities. It is unlikely that DAB+ will ever cover most of the country.

However, because the number of voters directly affected is quite small, do not count on the AM/FM not being discontinued, although even if the spectrum is wanted for other purposes, this demand is likely to be low over most of the country.

But don't count on this saving the services. Yesterday, the ABC switched off their shortwave services. The argument is that the programs are available on mobile phone or internet. But as most of us know, there are vast areas of Australia with no mobile phone coverage, and where this is the case there will be no mobile internet coverage - i.e., if you are in a vehicle of any kind, you have no access to the programs.

I can see similar arguments used in the future to justify shutting down particularly rural TV broadcasts - ignoring the fact that data restrictions on satellite internet services mean it is not feasible to watch televion over your satellite internet.

John

[Don 130]

Have read of this report before you decide to change to DAB. 0.4% coverage at present says you won't get far out of town with it.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/government-report-argues-against-switching-off-analogue-radio/news-story/1c1d18a8097ef3309d7e77b6796226ed

Don.