UHF Antenna Installation
Submitted: Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:11
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Patrol GU VI
I recently purchased a GME AE4018K1 antenna (the elevated feed 4.5dB ones) in conjunction with a GME TX4400. I had the UHF unit installed in the dash of my Patrol with a new MP3 player. I had the radio & UHF installed by people who normally install car radios, and am not sure if the antenna on the UHF is working correctly. I know that the end that plugs into the UHF was done correctly, as I saw him do this, but was wondering if there needed some wiring needed to be done on the Antenna end of this aerial. I can get some signals only, and it seems only if the other person is really close.
Can any one assist and advise what I need to do?
Reply By: Lex M - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:15
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:15
Define "really close"
AnswerID:
326170
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:18
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:18
These usually come with the cable attached to the aerial and without some work cant be detached.
only the radio end is left bare to allow you to thread it thru smaller holes
FollowupID:
593184
Follow Up By: Patrol GU VI - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:26
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:26
I have only managed to talk with people within about a 100m range
FollowupID:
593186
Reply By: Member - Mark G (NSW) - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:23
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:23
PATROL GU VI
try looking at the end of the coax to see whether or not the sheild (the metal part under the outer coating) is touching the centre of the cable.this wiil stop you transmitting especially to any distance.roll it back over the cable.
ps; dont transmit on your radio untill you check this out otherwise you will short out the inside of your set,cheers.
AnswerID:
326172
Follow Up By: Member - Mark G (NSW) - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:27
Follow Up By: Member - Mark G (NSW) - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:29
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:37
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:37
Good advice as 1 strand of braid is enough to severly stuff things up.
Just cos they install radios doesnt mean they did it correctly
FollowupID:
593191
Follow Up By: Member - Mark G (NSW) - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:52
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:52
GRAHAM H
thats what i found with
mine on my unit, 1 measly wire touching. very frustating to say the least,cheers.
FollowupID:
593195
Reply By: donks1 - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:49
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 19:49
G'day Patrol
Where did you buy your unit ?? I recently bought a GME unit and it came with both ends of the aerial were factory finished, with only the need to screw the connections together, at unit end and the antenna.
As for who did the install, if it was someone like "strathfield car radios" don't assume they know what they are doing. They are the masters of "twist & tape". I'd be checking the install of your MP3 as
well
Donks
AnswerID:
326179
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 23:53
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 at 23:53
This style of antenna is easily stuffed. The co-ax cable comes out the bottom of the mounting and is vulnerable. If the antenna has been stored on its end with the mounting thread resting on the co-ax, this can damage the co-ax. I have seen them stored this way in shops instead of being hung up. Customers pick them up, look at them and drop them back into the
bins. Each time they do that the co-ax gets hammered by the mounting thread. I have seen them so badly damaged that there would be a short between the centre conductor and the braid. Even if there is no short, the cable is so badly damaged that it will affect the performance of the cable. Even if the antenna is stored on a hook they get dropped when customers (and staff) handle them, before purchasing them check that the co-ax has not been damaged.
Visually check the cable (particularly at the bottom of the mounting) to see if the cable has been kinked or squashed. Remove the the plug from the radio and the whip from base and do the following checks with a multi meter:
1. Check if there is continuity between the body of the plug and the long tube on the mounting.
2. Check if there is continuity the centre pin of the plug and the thread the antenna whip screws onto.
3. Check that there is no short circuit between the plug body and the centre pin.
PeterD
AnswerID:
326210