Radio/CD player aerial

[jwilson]

The original fit Sony radio/CD player on my boat was swapped some years ago for a Panasonic. Personally I almost never turn it on: if I'm sailing I like silence, and I get weather forecasts from the VHF. However there are those who like to listen to the radio, and neither radio/CD has ever had good reception.

The original fitment was a small amplified antenna mounted on a bulkhead hidden behind the chart table instument panel. Only plywood and GRP between it and sky/horizon. The newer radio seemed even worse than the Sony, so I swapped this antenna for a similar new "car windscreen mount" powered one. Only fractionally better. Have also tried a non-powered stalk type car aeriel also hidden in same area, which is actually not much different to the powered ones, and is what's there at present.

I really don't want a long cable and a hole drilled somewhere to mount an aerial on deck. Any suggestions for an effective aerial: the radio is AM/FM, not DAB. I'm currently working through a series of "niggles" on the boat equipment, and this is one.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

When a car is fitted with a radio, the -ve side of the aerial is mounted in contact with the car body, to provide a "ground plane". Your concealed aerial would benefit from having a square foot or so of metal, perhaps aluminium foil, in electrical contact with its mounting bolt.

 

[Aeolus]

My aeriel, an extending car-type one, is lying fully extended horizontally behind an interior panel just under the deck. I found that it was very sensitive to some nearby 12v cables and especially a nearby USB socket. Adjusting the position of the aerial and of the electric cables just slightly made a big difference.

 

[rotrax]

All our previous boats have used the boats VHF aerial for domestic radio reception using a splitter. Always worked well, never a problem.

I shall be fitting a radio CD player to our boat at the start of next season and am inclined to purchase a VHF/FM splitter for simplicity.

 

[tross]

The shrouds and chain plates make very good aerials!

 

[prv]

All our previous boats have used the boats VHF aerial for domestic radio reception using a splitter.

Strictly speaking I believe these use the screen on the coax for the FM side, rather than the actual VHF antenna itself. Still a lot of metal running up high, and no need to disconnect the FM radio to avoid frying it, when the VHF pumps in 25 watts to transmit.

Pete

 

[PaulRainbow]

Slight drift...... i binned the FM radio. I have a Bluetooth soundbar (various speakers are also available) and i stream music from my phone, using the Radio Player app'. Every radio station in the country, wherever you are. Obviously needs a phone signal (and some mobile data), but i suspect the mobile networks have better coverage than most FM stations.

 

[Ruffles]

Mine is a piece of un-screened hookup wire draped behind the switch panel. Works brilliantly.

 

[Hydrozoan]

I know little about radio, but when I installed a radio/CD player I made up a very simple FM dipole antenna of about 1.5m length (e.g. https://www.radio-electronics.co.uk...pagation/dipole-antenna/fm-dipole-antenna.php) which fits nicely above the headlining of the quarterberth. It’s not immune from interference, but works for my needs.

 

[jwilson]

Strictly speaking I believe these use the screen on the coax for the FM side, rather than the actual VHF antenna itself. Still a lot of metal running up high, and no need to disconnect the FM radio to avoid frying it, when the VHF pumps in 25 watts to transmit.
Pete

I don't like the idea of splitters of any sort on the main masthead VHF aerial, but might try a bit of wire to the screen.....

 

[Fantasie 19]

Slight drift...... i binned the FM radio. I have a Bluetooth soundbar (various speakers are also available) and i stream music from my phone, using the Radio Player app'. Every radio station in the country, wherever you are. Obviously needs a phone signal (and some mobile data), but i suspect the mobile networks have better coverage than most FM stations.

+1

One of them Fusion sound bars for choice...

 

[duncan99210]

I used one of these when we were in the UK (Indoor FM Ribbon Aerial with Coaxial Connector and Coaxial Adapter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00XA0ZN22/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_kLyNDb8GW04QS). It fits inside under the side decks, and produces a good clear output from the radio. Inevitably, not as good as a vertical whip antenna but still fine for everyday listening. Cheap as chips as well....

 

[jwilson]

I wonder if my problem is that the car-type radio itself is mounted in the chart table instrument panel: ie close to a plotter, VHF radio, a USB socket, a GPS mushroom and just above the smart battery charger box. Although I can't detect any difference if the plotter, GPS and VHF are switched off and the battery charger and USB are not powered. Maybe just too many other wires nearby?

 

[lw395]

Maybe your radio is just a bit 'deaf' or is set to receive local stations not distant ones? Is there a little LO/DX icon on the display?

IF you want best range, an aerial high up always wins. We have a 2nd vhf whip mounted up the backstay, shared with the AIS receiver via a 'diplexer' a filter which splits the <108MHz of the FM from the >150MHz of the AIS/VHF RT. Can usually get a range of FM stations well offshore and most places close to the coast. Far better than my car, but that's a nother story...

A 'ribbon' FM aerial in the cabin should be just as good as a portable FM radio. Get a little portable with a telescopic aerial and see what the signal's like, is it blocked or jammed in the cabin? If your portable won't work on deck, there's no signal and you won't win with an indoor aerial.