Freelander 1 Bee-sting Aerial Replacement?

Bee-sting Aerial Replacement?
Has anyone successfully replaced the standard Freelander Bee-Sting aerial with another type that receives well?

I’m asking because I replaced my own with a Shark-Fin type and the reception is not very good. It may look good, but isn’t. Far from good, to be honest.

I can't answer your question, but assume this is for DAB reception?

kermit_rr said:

I can't answer your question, but assume this is for DAB reception?

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Hi, and no. Just FM. I travel abroad lots and DAB is very limited on the continent. I think the UK is about the only one using it, which is a pity.
Other may know better, but having driven all over Europe - and will do again once the borders are open, I'll stick to FM.

To be honest, no. I was going to fit a Shark fin too to replace the damaged standard aerial, but the quality isn't great on these. I will likely replace like-for-like, but despite having attempted to get hold of replacement, I've always seemed to have missed getting the correct gasket and aerial base! I should try harder! LOL

Hard Drive said:

Hi, and no. Just FM. I travel abroad lots and DAB is very limited on the continent. I think the UK is about the only one using it, which is a pity.
Other may know better, but having driven all over Europe - and will do again once the borders are open, I'll stick to FM.

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I thought the shark fins were DAB only

You can get FM, FM + DAB and DAB shark fins on the bay of fleas...

rob_bell said:

You can get FM, FM + DAB and DAB shark fins on the bay of fleas...

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Hmm, I don't know much about DAB, but I can't see a shark fin will ever be any good for FM. Normally the FM antenna is in the rear window, or one or the side rear windows
have you made sure its grounded properly?

kermit_rr said:

Hmm, I don't know much about DAB, but I can't see a shark fin will ever be any good for FM. Normally the FM antenna is in the rear window, or one or the side rear windows
have you made sure its grounded properly?

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It's fitted perfectly.
Having researched what's available,has anyone used an internal amplified aerial? They're cheap on Ebay. And easily fitted, it seems.

I replaced my original arial when I fitted a dashcam and it interfered with radio reception. I bought a longer arial off eBay, it worked pretty well, better reception than the old arial but still had interference from the dash cam. I turned the b*gger off in the end.

Col

When I was getting radio interference from my dascam, I fixed it by using a different power supply. The main aerial on my FL1 was a black rubber one which I changed for a similar one. For replacing a bee-sting type, I would probably go with a longer solid or whip type.

a choke on the power lead will help with interference too
double check the antenna ground and also the head unit ground

I too have poor radio reception on the FM channels here in NZ. I've replaced the antenna and the base but no improvement. The antenna and the head unit are both well grounded. My dash cam' power comes up via the LH A pillar from the accessory socket in the centre console so I don't think that's an influence. When a 'choke' is mentioned what exactly is that?

a choke, sometimes known as a ferrite bead, is the lump you see on the end of some power supplies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrite_bead

I must admit I do have a FL2 so not totally sure about the FL1 but I’ve recently installed a beesting aerial to replace the crappy rear window aerial on the FL2, the first one I bought was a cheapy from eBay and it was useless, I then thought I’m in trouble here I’ve drilled a hole in my lovely FL2 roof and this isn’t even working, so I looked around and got a very similar looking aerial from incartech must more expensive but works amazing, it does come with FM & DAB ends but I just taped the dab end up and tucked it away, the power supply does have to be dedicated to avoid interference as discussed but that’s pretty easy to pick up from the fuse box, I used to get searching for stations on the radio display all the time but now it’s straight in and I’m receiving FM stations it used to skip past before, you could give them a look or a similar website, my advice would be spend the money it’s worth it

Great News. I've fitted an internal amplified aerial and it works great. I bought it from a car accessory dealer and it's exactly the same as advertised on Ebay.
It cost me just under £15. Ebay is much cheaper.
A stock photo and caption from Ebay is attached.

Car Van Internal Electronic Amplified Antenna Stereo Radio FM Aerial Universal


I used an ignition controlled power-supply (the one for the radio), and fitted a micro-toggle switch in the line so it will only be powered-up when I want it to be and not all the time.
I highly recommend this. I'm getting stations I never knew existed.
I would like to thank all who contributed to the Thread. They all helped.

I actually don’t think there’s anything more satisfying than sorting audio problems and in particular signal problems, I’m still in the midst of finding the perfect aftermarket dab+ aerial for my Xtrons smart unit, some days I get full signal and others nothing at all, but at least good old FM is good and strong, glad you solved your issue