I need a better radio signal for my cerby

[Martin Hunt]

Have read all the threads about stereo upgrades but none seem to cover the topic of getting a better radio signal, having tavelled up the M5 from Plymouth to Bristol for the last 2 months, this is really starting to bother me :-)

Can anyone recommend a signal booster please?

[jaydee]

Car aerial booster from Maplin www.maplin.co.uk helped in my Elan. It was £7.99 I think. I also ran new power cables to the head unit as directly as possible and got an inline suppression unit (also from Maplin) to cut interference.
It's quite hard to get the signal perfect in a plastic car because the engine electrics are not as well screened as in a metal bodied car. Some cars just suffer from interference and there's little you can do that helps...

[plotloss]

I think that rather than try a signal booster you will be better off trying to supress the radio signals that are b*ggering your reception.

TVR's being fibreglass do not shield the radio from the radio waves that are emmitted by spinning things like the Alternator etc. You need to attach grounded capacitors to the major spinning components and that should get you a better signal.

Then if that doenst work its time to look at a signal amplifier.

HTH

Matt.

[tvrinbfg]

I suggest (and it is expensive) Pioneer GEX-P700DAB Tuner & Pioneer AN-70DAB Antenna wired into your existing stereo.

[jaydee]

I think if you try plotloss's suggestions and mine you ought to get it sorted. It would prob. be easiest to take your car to a good car audio place to get the problems sorted, they tend to realise that a job well done on a decent car is likely to lead to repeat business !

[Martin Hunt]

All,

Many thanks for all your help, I will try the last suggestion of going to a local radio fitter place.

Cheers

Martin

[YellowCerbie]

Martin

Unfortunately, I have tried no less than 3 or 4 of the so called reputable car audio specialists around my area. Went to the extent of removing the head unit and testing on the bench to trying out several aerials, including boosters etc - no luck !

Apparently, what has worked for a few is to position the aerial alongside the 'diagonal beam' (not sure what the technical term is alongside the driver's window. I queried this early in the year and you may be able to track down the replies that I received, including a web link.

Good luck
DY

[Martin Hunt]

Thanks yellowcerbie, I will give it a try when mine returns, I got told today that it is off to sunny blackpool for a new camshaft!!!! having read all the other threads about this I hope to get it back before the summer!

Martin
Cerbera S 922 OPO

[YellowCerbie]

I have since made a slight progress with the radio reception. Previously, I was not able to get either Kiss 100FM or Radio 1.

Went to another audio specialist again today. Like before, tested everything from 'the bench' to fitting a booster etc. Nothing worked, until we tried the internal electric car aerial from Halfords for £12.99. Kiss FM is loud and clear when the car is at a stand still. Still getting some interference when the car is being driven around. However, Radio 1 is now loud and clear even when the car is moving.

The disadvantage is that there is this little black rectangular box stuck near the base of the rear view mirror with about 3-4 inches of plastic strip on either side. I think I can live with that until I tint about 6-8 inches of the front windscreen (as the Cerbie does not have a sun visor, which can be unpleasant in strong sunlight). Hopefully, this will not undo the improvement.

[oliverkelly]

Strange. My Cerbie has sun visors. I didn't notice them until I was applying leatehr conditionior. They are easy to miss, but do help in strong sunlight.

[kris wood]

2000 spec onwards don't have visors. However, my dealer actually fitted some to my car and I am very pleased with them.

On radio reception point, I run a long aerial lead from the head unit under the central arm rest area, into the boot and then connected it to an aerial that extended in the boot up into the drivers side b pillar. This improved reception considerably to the point of perfect reception in some areas eg in towns & motorways.

[hazy]

Wassamarra with you lot????

Who wants to listen to the radio in a Cerbera for gods sake?? Bo###cks to the radio, spend your dosh on a good sports exhaust and wind down the window!

Someone (probably Thom) will be sad enough to ask about towballs on Cerbera's next.....where will it all end

Before someone moans about motorway driving needing the radio a few tips for the journey -

A. Accelerate hard down slip road with window down. Revel in glorious howl.

B. When on motorway back off from car in front, gas it, listen to the roar, back off throttle to enjoy popping and crackling from exhausts

C. Repeat as many times as journey requires

Failure to enjoy the above will surely result in the purchase of a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec (C/W excellent radio)

Hazy
A 7VR B

[andyvdg]

Phew, I'm not the only one that drives like that then!