Radio for a series Landy

[123rover50]

I just bought a GME GR300 with speakers and antenna. Thought it would be the ducks nuts as it is fully sealed so waterproof and dust proof.
That may be so but performance here is woefull . On scan it only picks up our local station 50 k away.
I will have to ditch it and get something else.
Anyone have ideas on a good aftermarket set AM FM and maybe CD player that has a chassis that can be installed in any car and with a fascia etc to make a neat job and can pick up stations more than 100 k away?

Keith

[87County]

I've not seen one of this GME model but it is from a quality company that should have backup - have you checked your antenna installation and does it have a tuning adjustment for the antenna? Other matters to check include suppression and system earthings.

Maybe a call to GME may assist.

An alternative could be one of these robust little things of which hundreds have been sold
KOMATSU RADIO 24v 12v AM/FM EXCAVATOR DOZER LOADER GRADER EARTHMOVING TRUCK | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KOMATSU-RADIO-24v-12v-AM-FM-EXCAVATOR-DOZER-LOADER-GRADER-EARTHMOVING-TRUCK-/251921315429?hash=item3aa7ae3665:g:CYAAAOSwax5Yok3 y)

No blue tooth or CD but has input jack & I think, SD card

And you'd have to sort out your own antenna :)

[Tins]

What he said.

[123rover50]

Yes, contacted GME and the dealer I bought it from. No reply yet. I thought they were good too, hence buying it. No antenna tuning device, just plug and play.

[87County]

Yes, contacted GME and the dealer I bought it from. No reply yet. I thought they were good too, hence buying it. No antenna tuning device, just plug and play.

Sometimes there is an unlabelled slothead screw somewhere on the rear, sides, top or bottom for antenna adjustment but I would expect it to be mentioned in the instructions if it was there, it will be interesting what GME come back with. I hope it works out well.

[Tins]

The GR 300, isn't that a marine application? Don't know what difference, if any, it would make, but wondering.

[123rover50]

Yes its made for boats as its sealed and waterproof. Comes with a bracket to fix under a dash etc.Waterproof speakers as well.
The Hipaka for Hitachi,s excavators etc sound OK but is made to fit into a housing. Series dont have that so thats why I picked the GME.
The old Sony in the 92 Disco picks up 612 4QR ABC from Brisbane here no problem but the GME does not get a signal at all.

K

[123rover50]

I've not seen one of this GME model but it is from a quality company that should have backup - have you checked your antenna installation and does it have a tuning adjustment for the antenna? Other matters to check include suppression and system earthings.

Maybe a call to GME may assist.

An alternative could be one of these robust little things of which hundreds have been sold
KOMATSU RADIO 24v 12v AM/FM EXCAVATOR DOZER LOADER GRADER EARTHMOVING TRUCK | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KOMATSU-RADIO-24v-12v-AM-FM-EXCAVATOR-DOZER-LOADER-GRADER-EARTHMOVING-TRUCK-/251921315429?hash=item3aa7ae3665:g:CYAAAOSwax5Yok3 y)

No blue tooth or CD but has input jack & I think, SD card

And you'd have to sort out your own antenna :)

Contacted them and a helpfull sort of bloke. Said if I bought one and it was no better I could send it back.
They need a housing to fit into where the GME has a bracket to attatch under the dash etc.
The GME has Bluetooth but of no use to me as I dont have a smartphone but it has a socket to plug a player into as well.
The Komatsu one has a socket also.

K

[JDNSW]

I have fitted a cheap Aldi radio to my 2a, making a panel for it that hangs below the instrument panel above the red gearlever. This radio has no disc drive etc, but does have a USB socket that plays MP3s from a tiny thumb drive. It is half depth, so it fits comfortably, and seems to perform adequately. While it is not waterproof, it seems to survive OK, and having virtually no moving parts means it is pretty immune to dust.

Don't forget that how good your reception is will be very dependent on how good an antenna you have.

[Don 130]

I've got the M1W antenna shown at the bottom of this page (http://www.mobileone.com.au/4b_amfm.html). the M2W Is the AM/FM version of what I've got. My radio is a cheap Sony unit (which also has shortwave, hence my choice of the M1W antenna) about $80.00. With that antenna, I can hear Sydney local radio or Radio national all the way to Wagga Wagga.
I'd agree with there being something wrong somewhere.

Don.

[123rover50]

Thanks for the link on antennae. I should try that before ditching it.
Interesting about different coax specs.One would hope GME would have that right.
The mob I bought it from asked me about the antenna , so I said its the one that came with it that he sold me.
I sat it side by side with the old Disco one and its old Sony. On scan the Sony picked up many stations whereas the GME just the one.
I tuned the Sony to ABC 612 AM in Brisbane , about 180 k,s away. Came in well. The GME could not pick it up.

[Don 130]

I would give GME a ring. That's what I did when I had a problem with my UHF. The bloke I spoke to was very helpful and solved my problem. It's very much sounding like you may have a dud.
Don.

[123rover50]

The mob I bought it from thinks its an aerial problem but I did ring GME and got on to a tech.
I explained the problem and he said these radios were low sensitivity sets designed for marine craft for use inside Sydney Harbour.
When I said I could only get an AM station about 40 k,s away , he was surprised I got that at all. He said 20 or 30 k,s was the design limit.
The description says Marine use but nowhere does it say inshore only or not for offshore use.
He said return it to the dealer but I am still waiting to see if he will come to the party. He seems to think because I put it in a vehicle and not in a boat he does not have to.[bigsad]

Keith

[Don 130]

Your protection under Australian consumer law is that as it's not performing the task you bought it for, you can return it for full refund.
Dept of fair trading if you need further information
Don

[123rover50]

Looks like I am out of pocket.
He says it clearly states its a Marine radio in the description. If I put it in a vehicle its my problem[bigsad].

Keith

[87County]

Looks like I am out of pocket.
He says it clearly states its a Marine radio in the description. If I put it in a vehicle its my problem[bigsad].

Keith

thanks for letting us know - response seems a bit surprising though

[Don 130]

I'd go back to GME about that. (I would select a marine device in order to get the waterproofing capacity, wouldn't you?)
And a suggestion for when you're somewhat more sorted and ready to have another bite at it.

AXIS MA1500BT - BLUETOOTH AM/FM MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER WATERTIGHT [MA1500BT] - $88.00 : eXatek.com.au (http://www.exatek.com.au/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=23_24&products_id=68&zenid=283129c312694548a2074521d8cb28bc)

Don.

[Johnno_p]

thanks for letting us know - response seems a bit surprising though

I'm not surprised really. The radio has been removed from the packaging and installed. It can no longer be sold as a new unused radio.

[Johnno_p]

And a suggestion for when you're somewhat more sorted and ready to have another bite at it.

AXIS MA1500BT - BLUETOOTH AM/FM MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER WATERTIGHT [MA1500BT] - $88.00 : eXatek.com.au (http://www.exatek.com.au/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=23_24&products_id=68&zenid=283129c312694548a2074521d8cb28bc)

Don.

The Axis gear is not too bad. I've used them before for a few things. That unit also has a long range receiver going by the description [emoji106]

[donh54]

I'm not surprised really. The radio has been removed from the packaging and installed. It can no longer be sold as a new unused radio.

Doesn matter. A radio that won't pick up a station is definitely "not fit for purpose". Call the seller, and tell him you need his name for the Fair Trading report you are preparing.

Also, some radios from the factory come set for "local signals", look in the tuning section of the manual.

[123rover50]

I'd go back to GME about that. (I would select a marine device in order to get the waterproofing capacity, wouldn't you?)
And a suggestion for when you're somewhat more sorted and ready to have another bite at it.

AXIS MA1500BT - BLUETOOTH AM/FM MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER WATERTIGHT [MA1500BT] - $88.00 : eXatek.com.au (http://www.exatek.com.au/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=23_24&products_id=68&zenid=283129c312694548a2074521d8cb28bc)

Don.

Yes I got back to GME again, they tended to agree with the seller as that it says marine not land. and that I should have bought it from an accredited dealer not an Ebay seller.
Oh well any one want a GR300 for their tinny?
I might as well put it in Markets.
That Axis sounds good but why is it so cheap.? Most car stereos are up near the $150 mark.
, but at that price its worth a go.
Keith

[123rover50]

Went to town today and talked to a local sparky. He said its common, he is getting lots of complaints about AM FM radios.
Even the salesman at autobarn said the new radios arnt as good at receiving as those of 10 yrs ago.
I have ordered the AXis, it has a "local" "distant" conrtol so may have a more sensitive receiver.
Fingers crossed.
Keith

[Don 130]

Went to town today and talked to a local sparky. He said its common, he is getting lots of complaints about AM FM radios.
Even the salesman at autobarn said the new radios arnt as good at receiving as those of 10 yrs ago.
I have ordered the AXis, it has a "local" "distant" conrtol so may have a more sensitive receiver.
Fingers crossed.
Keith

My experience would suggest a good antenna is worth the effort. I found the bloke at Mobile One very knowledgable and helpful.
Don

[JDNSW]

My impression is that radios are not as good (i.e. as sensitive) as they were ten years ago - and the ones ten years ago were nowhere near as good as they were thirty years ago. In particular, with the proliferation of FM stations, AM sensitivity, S/N, and selectivity have been considered less important, especially as RFI, including that generated by modern vehicle's computer systems, has become more problematical.

As many here have found, there are many places in this country where there are simply no FM stations within range, but given a halfway decent receiver, you can get AM stations. In this area, we have the ABC local radio (used to be 2CR) at Cumnock, transmitting the Central West program from Orange on 549. I don't know if it still holds this position, but it used to be the most powerful broadcaster in Australia, if not the southern hemisphere, as it was designed to cover all of NSW west of the mountains.

At home I have several FM stations available as well, including my local ABC from Dubbo, but these are transmitted from the Warrumbungles, and once I get off the hill here they die.

So you really need good AM reception if travelling outside the cities and main highways.

And as commented - a good antenna does help!

[Tins]

My impression is that radios are not as good (i.e. as sensitive) as they were ten years ago - and the ones ten years ago were nowhere near as good as they were thirty years ago. In particular, with the proliferation of FM stations, AM sensitivity, S/N, and selectivity have been considered less important, especially as RFI, including that generated by modern vehicle's computer systems, has become more problematical.

As many here have found, there are many places in this country where there are simply no FM stations within range, but given a halfway decent receiver, you can get AM stations. In this area, we have the ABC local radio (used to be 2CR) at Cumnock, transmitting the Central West program from Orange on 549. I don't know if it still holds this position, but it used to be the most powerful broadcaster in Australia, if not the southern hemisphere, as it was designed to cover all of NSW west of the mountains.

At home I have several FM stations available as well, including my local ABC from Dubbo, but these are transmitted from the Warrumbungles, and once I get off the hill here they die.

So you really need good AM reception if travelling outside the cities and main highways.

And as commented - a good antenna does help!

What. He. Said.

[123rover50]

The Axis arrived. Its a dinky little thing. Here it is along side the GME.
I hooked it up to a battery and speaker with the GME antenna and it gets way more stations than the GME. ABC Brisbane is no problem and loads of FM stations I dont know the location of.
He said I could return it if not happy but I am so will install it in the car.
I will probably order the Mobile one M2P kit with the M2W antenna as well and see if it is better than the GME antenna.

[123rover50]

All installed now and up and running.
Pleased with it.
Now just have to move on the GME.
Not bagging GME stuff as I have three of their UHF sets and find they do the job. Its just disappointing they dont specify in simple terms that this AM/FM set is just a short range receiver.

[cjc_td5]

Hi Keith.
I bought a GME unit just like that last year for my series also. Like you, radio reception is underwhelming, but I had a dodgy antenna on it and had not had time to investigate further yet. Mine has been custom installed into the dash so it will be staying. Looks like it is going take some sorting out... 😩😩
Chris.