Awful radio reception.

Mogodon · 8th September 2020, 21:04

Radio reception in the ZT is dreadful via the HRS ariel.

So while in the scrappy today getting a few bits to squirrel away (full front fan off a Mk2 derv £10) I found a normal front mounted roof ariel on a Nissan Micra.

Has anyone put a normal roof ariel on a ZT here ?

I've held it where it will be and looks OK to me, but the thought of drilling a hole in the roof fills me with dread just thinking about it.

Any tips ?

roverbarmy · 9th September 2020, 09:37

I've given up on radio! The reception is fine in the accessories position but as soon as I turn on the ignition it loses signal and crackles. I've changed both boxes in the rear pillars, checked all the leads (pos, neg and screen aerial + lead) for continuity but still no joy. I even tried a separate aerial and just the same. Before you start drilling holes, check that the aerial will fix your problem. It didn't fix mine!

Mogodon · 9th September 2020, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by roverbarmy

I've given up on radio! The reception is fine in the accessories position but as soon as I turn on the ignition it loses signal and crackles. I've changed both boxes in the rear pillars, checked all the leads (pos, neg and screen aerial + lead) for continuity but still no joy. I even tried a separate aerial and just the same. Before you start drilling holes, check that the aerial will fix your problem. It didn't fix mine!

Mine also does that as soon as I plug any of those USB adapter plugs into the cigarette lighter/auxiliary power socket but that's a separate issue if anyone knows why ?

HarryM1BYT · 9th September 2020, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mogodon

Mine also does that as soon as I plug any of those USB adapter plugs into the cigarette lighter/auxiliary power socket but that's a separate issue if anyone knows why ?

The reception in the MG/75 is not the best, but it shouldn't be terrible unless there is something seriously amiss.

My guess would be the amp attached to the HRW is not as well designed as it could be and its output is weak.

Why I have arrived at this conclusion is that years ago when I replaced my Hi-line system with the early Radioguy unit, the unit needed the signal splitting between the radio and the navigation system for receiving traffic updates. A simple passive splitter wrecked both the radio reception and nav systems reception. I ended up fitting an active splitter which made things very much better.

That opinion was further confirmed by the fact that I also noted that reception on the new unit was not as good as it had been on the Hi-Line. The Hi-line receiver was boot mounted, the new unit dash mounted with the antenna lead needing to be extended to the front, so the extra losses in the antenna extension lead made reception worse.

So it would probably worth buying a cheap pre-amp and fitting it between the HRW amp, and your antenna lead going to the front of the car.

cb750chris · 9th September 2020, 13:01

Quick question for the OP, is this the OEM radio?
I have seen a number of aftermarket radios that don't feed the radio amplifier with 12v.

The other question raised ref. USB chargers causing interference - this is (probably) because the USB chargers are mostly switched mode supplies, as this is a more efficient design - at 2Amps supply, a linear regulator would be dissipating ~18W, whereas a switched mode supply may dissipate 0.1 W - so a switched mode supply produces less heat for the same output power.
(The way these regulators work is to switch internally at high speeds - This high speed switching can cause interference that can affect the radio. [Most likely the harmonics of the switching frequency]. A different USB supply may cause interference at a different frequency and so affect the radio differently, as may changing the amount of load)

Regards
Chris

BoroRover · 9th September 2020, 13:39

May be completely unrelated, but I had interference on my radio when key position was at ignition. Turning off the rear window heated screen switch if it was active and, Bingo, no interference.

As I said, may be unrelated, but it has been an issue on 75's in the past.

Jdwoodhou · 11th September 2020, 12:16

Could be a poor earth? When I installed a Navall 3 reception was poor but I removed the earth lead low down under the bonnet on the nearside, cleaned it up and things were back to normal (ok rather than great), so a good cheap fix. Plan B is simply to put in an extra earth wire of course.

8th September 2020, 21:04	#1
Mogodon Gets stuck in MG ZT 135+ Diesel Auto Mk2. Nisan Micra 1.4 SVE Auto. Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. Posts: 835 Thanks: 196 Thanked 198 Times in 84 Posts	Awful radio reception. Radio reception in the ZT is dreadful via the HRS ariel. So while in the scrappy today getting a few bits to squirrel away (full front fan off a Mk2 derv £10) I found a normal front mounted roof ariel on a Nissan Micra. Has anyone put a normal roof ariel on a ZT here ? I've held it where it will be and looks OK to me, but the thought of drilling a hole in the roof fills me with dread just thinking about it. Any tips ? __________________ Plenum spyhole mod. Powerflow backbox. 11 spoke alloys repainted Black Sparkle. Black Expansion tank. Drivers side cup holder. PPD carpeted heater box sides. Illuminated sun visors, PPD Door reflectors. PPD Seatbelt lower mount bolt covers. PPD Drivers grab handle. Cubby rechargeable torch and power socket. FBH retro-fitted. FBH engine pre-heater mod done. Electric rear Sunblind. Tow bar. Flip key. MGR towing mirrors and Saloon roof bars. Hand Built in Birmingham

9th September 2020, 09:37	#2
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	I've given up on radio! The reception is fine in the accessories position but as soon as I turn on the ignition it loses signal and crackles. I've changed both boxes in the rear pillars, checked all the leads (pos, neg and screen aerial + lead) for continuity but still no joy. I even tried a separate aerial and just the same. Before you start drilling holes, check that the aerial will fix your problem. It didn't fix mine! __________________ Oil in my veins!

9th September 2020, 13:01	#5
cb750chris Trader Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 849 Thanks: 201 Thanked 292 Times in 200 Posts	Quick question for the OP, is this the OEM radio? I have seen a number of aftermarket radios that don't feed the radio amplifier with 12v. The other question raised ref. USB chargers causing interference - this is (probably) because the USB chargers are mostly switched mode supplies, as this is a more efficient design - at 2Amps supply, a linear regulator would be dissipating ~18W, whereas a switched mode supply may dissipate 0.1 W - so a switched mode supply produces less heat for the same output power. (The way these regulators work is to switch internally at high speeds - This high speed switching can cause interference that can affect the radio. [Most likely the harmonics of the switching frequency]. A different USB supply may cause interference at a different frequency and so affect the radio differently, as may changing the amount of load) Regards Chris __________________ Now offering T4 services in the Fareham area Replacement keys programmed / supplied / cut Diesel 135 upgrade available IPK virginisation and T4 matching available Sorry, due to a big change in home circumstances, I am unable to do any large jobs at present, but can still offer evening time diagnostics.

11th September 2020, 12:16	#7
Jdwoodhou Loves to post R75 1.8 Con SE Man Saloon Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pinner Posts: 280 Thanks: 233 Thanked 68 Times in 51 Posts	Could be a poor earth? When I installed a Navall 3 reception was poor but I removed the earth lead low down under the bonnet on the nearside, cleaned it up and things were back to normal (ok rather than great), so a good cheap fix. Plan B is simply to put in an extra earth wire of course. __________________ 140,000 miles and still going strong!

9th September 2020, 13:39	#6
BoroRover Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Middlesbrough Posts: 1,518 Thanks: 1,861 Thanked 723 Times in 471 Posts	May be completely unrelated, but I had interference on my radio when key position was at ignition. Turning off the rear window heated screen switch if it was active and, Bingo, no interference. As I said, may be unrelated, but it has been an issue on 75's in the past.