Antenna amplifier

Castor

Trainee maniac

Posts

680

Location

Ebley, Glos.

• Feb 11, 2015

• #1

Just a quick question before I start ripping things apart.

Does the rear window antenna and it's amplifier support both the key fob and the radio? What's the architecture of the RF path in this tangled web?

Neither of the above function on my '97 beast - radio is fine for CD & tape, & occasionally spots a carrier when scanning, but can't lock on.

Until I have properly scoped the issues I'm wary of simply reinstating the antenna amp if it's disconnected due to the BECM sleep issue, and the fact that I have no known functioning fobs... it works fine manually opening the door for now.

Stupid car......

 

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Donater

Posts

58,170

Location

Preston Lancs.

• Feb 11, 2015

• #2

No radio is stand alone.

 

Littelwill

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,065

Location

Lincolnshire

• Feb 11, 2015

• #3

The Radio and RF are two diffrent units. very easy to get to luckily and simple to replace. If your replacing your FM amplifier because your getting crappy reception have a look at the antenna in the window, has it been damaged? A chap i know had one where his dog had scrabbled at his window and damaged them. If they are ok look at the connector at the bottom of the window. These can and do go rusty over time...


Hope that helps mate.

 

Saint.V8

Dyed-in-the-wool 100% RR Junkie

Full Member

Posts

16,482

Location

North Dorset - Near the East & West Stours

• Feb 11, 2015

• #4

RF antenna is in the side window, drivers (RHD) side.

 

Castor

Trainee maniac

Posts

680

Location

Ebley, Glos.

• Feb 11, 2015

• #5

Excellent info chaps! Thanks indeed.

Everything else is rusty, so I expect that will be the problem. I'll go for a clean up fix first, then an alternative antenna. Plan B is to rip the radio out and splice in a couple of jack sockets in and kludge in a DAB of some sort.
Maybe I could repurpose my wife's alarm clock. That'll please her, but hey, Karma, y'know?

 

Last edited: Feb 11, 2015

Littelwill

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,065

Location

Lincolnshire

• Feb 11, 2015

• #6

Seen some folks (with a p38 and a disco) run a smart looking little shark fin antenna from the roof to the radio and cut out the FM booster and window antenna...

 

Castor

Trainee maniac

Posts

680

Location

Ebley, Glos.

• Feb 11, 2015

• #7

Littelwill said:

Seen some folks (with a p38 and a disco) run a smart looking little shark fin antenna from the roof to the radio and cut out the FM booster and window antenna...

Click to expand...

That sounds like a plan....

 

Littelwill

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,065

Location

Lincolnshire

• Feb 11, 2015

• #8

Cheap on ebay (just had a look) if you go for one thats not going to look stupid it might actually look like its ment to be there...

 

Castor

Trainee maniac

Posts

680

Location

Ebley, Glos.

• Feb 11, 2015

• #9

Littelwill said:

Cheap on ebay (just had a look) if you go for one that's not going to look stupid it might actually look like its meant to be there...

Click to expand...

Stylistically speaking there are only two ways to go with a slightly ratty dark green P38 - Discreet or Industrial.

Anyone got an ex MoD whip antenna?