Got bored this afternoon - now what?

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

But that makes no sense married with my 4-input TV tuner.

So I just did a little test and removed the "spiral" whip aerial on the nearside rear which I know is for the phone - and radio reception also faded out.

So I'm coming to the conclusion that "whatever" TV aerials I have are quite possibly directly connected to the tuner.
What's more I've already measured a 10V output on the tuners aerial sockets so they "may" be powered/amplified.

All of which leads me to wonder if I can actually use the diversity box to feed my new DVB-T tuner. It will need some power to run it though, maybe I can put that in through the radio aerial lead that I don't need?

I feel some bench-testing coming on.

Unless someone here knows the answer?

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by IT

Why two of them seem completely unconnected however is a puzzle...

IT, I think you may have misunderstood slightly some of my posts.
The box I bought (from A8parts) for its connectors - I don't even know if it's from an A8 let alone my vintage. Or if I have one - something I doubt.

My whip aerial seems to be for FM and phone (as tested just above).
The rear screen has extra (vertical) wiring so I'd guess that's the AM aerial. (and I guessed wrong )
The tuner has +10V on all 4 aerial inputs so "probably" powers the aerials, if they are powered.

Edit: AM is from the whip aerial too, just tested it!

[HPsauce]

Well it looks like the little box I bought (4D0 035 530) will only have value for my initial use, i.e. cannibalised for connectors.

I had my neighbour (who's an electronics/sensor designer) have a look at it and his first response was that he'd never seen connectors like it (nor did he recognise the chips on the circuit board).

But he's going to post a couple of pictures on a relevant forum to see if anyone else recognises the plugs or sockets.

As for what the box does, he identified the chips (made by Philips) and looked up their specs. It is indeed a diversity unit, but seems to be purely for FM radio, not TV.
As described in this eBay listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antenna-Boos...-/280548089161

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by limoncello

I didnt have a problem with the rear screen, I put one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANT29db-5V...item2c647d71cc

.......... also has a built in amp

I'm not that hopeful of using the existing aerials so I've ordered one like that too. Top of the rear screen looks best, should be mostly hidden from the drivers view by the headlining - is that where you put it?

[limoncello]

i used one of these with an aftermarket tv before i fitted the hybrid oem one, it works but can be a bit directional, sometimes had to manouvre the car round till it hit a sweet spot

using 2 if you have the inputs for it would work better, or wire them up together or just wait till we get a final switch of off all the non digital channels and they should then be able to turn the power up and digital will get better.

i fitted mine on the rear screen and hid the wiring in the headlining as you proposed, was barely visible.

[HPsauce]

Thanks. Digital switchover is all done around here (everywhere in UK maybe?)so in theory power is up now.

Reception at home is rubbish for testing. Nearest main transmitter (C Palace) is maybe 45km away and we're in a valley with no local repeater. Next nearest (Hannington) is maybe 60km in a totally different direction. Our domestic TV (tall mast, masthead amp) picks up both which seriously confuses most tuners except the most recent.

So I sort of have to install "on trust" and then try it out when somewhere else, so other peoples experiences are very valuable in planning what to do. Though I can feed an extension aerial lead out to the car to check everything works reasonably OK (except the aerial).

The old analogue tuner reception on my driveway was marginal to say the least.

[limoncello]

i had/have a similar problem reception wise here though i dont have to go far to test it, just anywhere half a mile from my house was ok, analogue and digital reception is almost nil here, analogue is still on in various places, i can still get it in leeds, mamchester is switched of entirely, i understand that the power wont go up until its all of.

i grew up in south london not far from crystal palace so I know theres many dips and valleys where reception was poor around there, the second antenna would probably help a lot if you dont mind 2 of them on the back screen.

a better tv would also help, you really need one with diversity 2 antennas and auto loading of available channels,

i still have the old antenna if you want it, was going to put it on ebay with the old tv, but if you need it.....

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by limoncello

still have the old antenna if you want it, was going to put it on ebay with the old tv, but if you need it.....

Thanks but I've ordered one anyway, with the correct (SMA) connector - only just over £5 delivered!

I'm planning to "prep" the car by running 3 separate extension leads from the boot media bay to (probably) somewhere accesible around the rear seat base: remote control, aerial and power. That way I can just plug aerial & remote in inside the cabin quickly and easily - same for removal/replacement.

[limoncello]

£5 ? i think i paid nearer £15-20

[HPsauce]

Yes £20 or so seems to be the price from many suppliers.
I found: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251104944076? hope it isn't fake.