Homemade antenna for car radio with your own hands

Car antennas today differ in purpose. In combat conditions they receive communications, in peaceful conditions they receive broadcasting channels and navigation information. The car antenna is a quarter-wave vibrator, supplemented with matching devices. The signal line, the ground, will be the body of the car. Due to these two components, signal reception becomes possible. Due to the simplicity of the design, they make a car antenna with their own hands. First determine the purpose of the device, wave range, and modulation type. Three main components laid down by the design.

Types of car antennas

We mentioned the types of car antennas, but here is a redundant classification:

• Purpose:

1. Radio reception.
2. TV reception.
3. Reception of satellite information from navigation systems.
4. Communication car antennas.

• Method of installing antennas on a car:

1. Magnetic.
2. On a suction cup.
3. Mortise.
4. Threaded connection.
5. On a clamp.
6. Built-in.

Connection diagram for a car antenna under the rear fender

• By location:

1. External car antennas.
2. Salon (internal).

• Type of gain:

1. Active.
2. Passive.

Surely an experienced car enthusiast will be able to add a couple of signs, but we will limit ourselves to the specified classification. FM antennas fit inside the cabin. Hobbyists make accessories with their own hands, using pieces of cable with a characteristic impedance of 50 Ohms. The braid is electrically connected to the car body (ground). Be careful of catching lightning while driving through a field. The thunderstorm chooses the point closest to the sky.

The size of the car antenna depends on the range. Communications (walkie-talkies with a frequency of 27 MHz) are large. Powerful varieties reach a length of 2 meters (they are placed on trucks); according to science, they should be made 50 cm higher. To reconcile the differences between the actual size, a quarter of the wavelength is an “extension” coil at the base. For use, the car antenna for communication is installed vertically. Determined by the type of polarization. The communication antenna can be tilted by means of a thumb or lever, so as not to break it when driving through a forest or overcoming the spans of a low bridge. Communication antennas are mostly used by drivers of large trucks. It is allowed to equip jeeps and civilian cars, but at times the appearance will be unsightly.

Note. Factory antennas are tuned to the wavelength. The mustache is shortened, equipped with a protective cap at the end. The operation is carried out according to the instructions. The guide includes a chart of recommended sizes. The violation causes a decrease in reception sensitivity.

The digital car TV antenna looks like a police flasher and is made in a different color scheme. The device is devoid of unnecessary bells and whistles and accepts a frequency of hundreds of MHz. The first multiplex in Moscow chose 559 MHz. The digital car antenna on a magnet is placed on the top (roof), the wire passes over the door without any modifications. A horizontal polarization signal; the device’s task is to receive an arbitrary azimuth.

Broadcasting antennas are rarely boasted of being large, since the wavelength is higher and the dimensions are larger. Small height pins, like those decorating portable radios. Beware of accidentally buying a car radio antenna intended by the manufacturer to decorate a television receiver. For fear of making a mistake, read the technical specifications in the store:

1. Radio is designated FM, AM (frequencies 70 - 108 MHz).
2. Television - DVB - T (frequencies below 900 MHz).
3. Navigation – GPS (about 400 MHz).
4. Radio communication – SV (27 MHz).

Sometimes dealers forget to indicate the antenna capabilities. The range of 400 – 530 MHz is given, it is mentioned that “the option of receiving GPS signals is available.” One can only guess what the copy can do; the first Moscow multiplex passes by. Frequencies above 400 MHz are used by portable radios and departmental communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It remains to pay attention to the connector. It matches the vast majority of devices for which it is intended; it would be useful to check the compatibility issue. They say that an external car antenna provides better reception; the question concerns mainly urban reception. While racing along the highway, the windows of a typical passenger car will not create serious obstacles to the passage of electromagnetic radiation. Installation of interior car antennas is simpler. Accessories are lower than external ones, hence the worse quality.

The store will provide all sorts of hybrid models, including options a la All in One. You can switch reception from city to highway. It is distinguished by sensitivity and interference suppression features. The suburban reception range increases to 80 km. They sell unique tandems. A pair of similar looking pins are laid out, one of which picks up television broadcasts, the other – radio, communications. Using the delights of the set requires the purchase of appropriate receiving equipment.

A brief overview of some models of TV antennas for cars

The CL/CC25 satellite television antenna is designed to receive signals in the range from 10.7 to 12.7 GigaHertz.

Its tracking speed is 100 arc degrees per second. This speed is achieved through the use of phased array antenna technologies with mechanical drives.

The antenna has a high cost (from 2,000 USD) and is used to serve bus excursion groups at great distances from large populated areas and special facilities.

The active television antenna Orion A-72 is designed for installation inside the cabin. This is not entirely optimal in terms of reception range, however, such an antenna is protected from vandalism. The antenna is also operational in the FM radio signal range. Has a gain of 20dB.

The GSTAR GS-NV 003-5V antenna with a gain of 39 dB is installed using a powerful magnet on the roof of the car. Great for occasional trips to the country. Has a circular radiation pattern. Powered by a DVB receiver. Cannot work in analog format.

The Prology TVA-100 TV antenna is designed to receive digital and analogue broadcasting signals, powered from the vehicle’s on-board network. Installed inside the cabin. Gain 30 dB. Installed in budget cars.

With the introduction of digital television broadcasting standards, the use of televisions in cars becomes relevant. Modern standard multimedia complexes allow you to reproduce a television signal with high quality. By installing a DVB receiver and a TV antenna, you can get another benefit of civilization in your car.

However, the specifics of vehicle operation should be taken into account. If trips are made at a short distance from a large city (within 70 kilometers), then the reception will be quite reliable. In the case of long-distance commercial trips, monitoring television transmitting stations yourself becomes problematic.

Video - installation of a car TV antenna B3TV (Ozar) for a digital DVBT2 signal:

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Making a car antenna with your own hands

The only difficulty is that the body of the car is constantly moving. Traditional terrestrial household antennas in this case will form reception dead zones. There will be long periods of time when maneuvering when there is no reception. Applies to horizontal polarization, not vertical! In the latter case, the antenna does not care about the azimuth of the signal arrival. The mast stands vertically! This was discussed by ordinary frame biquad antennas and quarter-wave vertical vibrators. Let's see what else is useful to nature.

Zeroing the braid using mass

How to make a car antenna with your own hands to:

• did not cause any complaints from the traffic police for excessive modification of the body;
• stood up in the cabin;
• ensured reliable reception of radio frequencies;
• had high efficiency (since you need to work on transmission).

A quarter-wave vibrator is not suitable for this case. Difficult to manufacture, equipped with relatively large dimensions (see above), difficult to attach, and interferes with driving. Here is an idea from drivers of VAZ 2106 cars (an experienced radio amateur will remake the concept, abstracting from the make of the car).

A frame structure is used, laid under the rear window seal of the car. Slightly narrowed at the top, slightly different in size than required by the 27 MHz frequency, there is a capacitor in the center, which is used to tune the car antenna to resonance on the desired channel. Please note that there are two receiving frequencies:

The upper resonance occurs in the lower range of radio broadcasting. The car antenna circuit is simple:

• It is necessary to line the perimeter of the rear window in a trapezoid with MGTF 0.5 wire:

1. Top edge 56.5 + 56.5 cm.
2. Bottom edge 66.5 + 66.5 cm.
3. Sidewalls 22.5 + 22.5 and 45 cm.

The spiral section reduces the overall length of the antenna

• The pluses are where we will add the wires of the matching capacitor, we will remove the signal with the RK-50 cable.
• In the middle of the glass, two wires go vertically to the center, where a trimmer capacitor (5 - 25 pF) is attached exactly along the axis. Each one is 45 cm long. Therefore, you will have to twist it in a zigzag and place it under an insulating tube.
• We solder the cable from the side where the wire is cut in the middle. There should be no gap on the opposite side.

The car antenna is connected through the connector used by communication equipment. The cable length is short, or rather, you should take a shorter one. Since the antenna is passive, the signal will be greatly attenuated in the path to the receiver. If you really put connected equipment near the rear window, it’s worth doing.

A little theory

Antennas for radio receivers differ in the range of received frequencies. This does not mean that the VHF antenna will not receive stations operating on medium waves at all, but the quality of the received frequency not in its own range will be much worse than the “native” one.

The ancestor of all antennas was the half-wave Hertz vibrator. All other antennas are essentially its modifications. Next, in Fig. 1 you can see the transformation of a half-wave vibrator into a quarter-wave vibrator.

In fact, most radio antennas for cars are like this. In them, the role of lower vibrators, called counterweights, is played by the metal of the car body. Therefore, good contact of the cable braid with the metal of the body is so important. And in the case of magnetic fastening of the device, the braid must be in reliable contact with the base body, which has capacitive contact with the body. In Fig. Figure 2 shows a so-called stocking antenna, in which a cable braid is used instead of the lower part of the vibrator.

Rice. 3 is a diagram of a quarter-wave vibrator.

Frequency ranges

Knowing the frequencies at which car radio equipment operates in our country will help you avoid making mistakes when choosing an antenna.

• The VHF “Soviet” radio range is from 65 to 74 MHz.
• FM radio frequency range “European” – from 87.5 to 108 MHz.
• FM radio frequency range “Japanese” – from 76 to 90 MHz.
• Meter television - from 48.5 to 230 MHz.
• UHF television - from 300 to 860 MHz.

VHF and FM stations provide better broadcast quality than MF and DV, but will only please you within line of sight, so don’t count on them far from populated areas.

Advantages of a homemade loop car antenna

See the advantage. It is unlikely that our DIY car antenna will have too long a range or show miracles of reception, but it is competitive with some factory models that are mounted on the roof and have a height greater than that of a passenger car. Plus, in the forest, the city won't hurt. In addition, there is no need to wind the matching device. This is not easy; in addition to the exact number and pitch of turns, you will need to find the desired thickness of the wire. The structure will have to be sealed; the event will require the purchase of a number of additional materials.

Making your own antenna for a car radio

External antennas for a car radio are a relatively expensive product, to which the concept of “high quality” is not always applicable. You can choose an antenna (dipole) in a store at any time, but this doesn’t make much sense if you have minimal engineering skills.

Making your own car antenna.

We will look at how to make a receiver for a car radio with your own hands. You don't need complex materials - just a desire to save money and a little time. Using the same principle, you can design a dipole for your home, office and other places where there is a signal and an FM receiver can operate.

Peculiarities

Despite the fact that today computers or at least televisions are very popular, there are still fans of radio broadcasting. In order for an FM radio to fully and correctly perform all its functions, it must be equipped with a specially designed antenna. Currently, the technology market offers a large number of types of antennas that provide high quality signal reception. They vary in size, appearance and functionality. Let's look at a few of the most common options:

• rod devices are made in the form of an ordinary rod or have a rounded shape;
• wire antennas are curved;
• the design of telescopic units consists of special metal rods, which in appearance resemble telescopes (hence the name of this type);
• retractable units are most often installed in cars; they have a special retractable design with a receiving element.

A little about FM antennas

Those receivers that can be found in auto supply stores today support a fairly narrow frequency range. They are focused on world standards, so you won’t be able to “squeeze” the maximum out of an antenna for a car radio.

Before you start making a dipole with your own hands, decide on the purpose of the antenna:

1. Active. This is a signal receiver version with a built-in amplifier. It can pick up signals at greater distances than passive ones. If you use the car radio only in the city, make do with a simpler option.
2. Passive. Such antennas allow you to receive broadcasts from local radio stations with sufficient power. They work without an amplifier and are easier to make with your own hands than active ones.

You can also distinguish between signal catchers based on the installation principle:

1. Internal. They are usually located inside the car. If you need an active dipole, it is better to make it internal.
2. External. These traps are usually located on the outside of the car body. This makes it possible to compensate for the low power of passive antennas.

Triple square

The triple square, also known as the Sotnikov antenna (non-standard radio devices are usually named after the name of the inventor or popularizer), consists of three square frames of variable perimeter:

• directors;
• vibrator - it is from it that the received signal is removed;
• reflector.

This antenna is a development of the principles inherent in the design of the wave channel, but it is much simpler to manufacture. Outwardly, it looks like three squares gradually decreasing in size, mounted on common crossbars so that their axis faces in the direction of the signal source.

In short, it is assembled from steel or copper wire as follows:

1. Three main squares and jumpers between them are bent. If necessary, you can immediately bend the entire zigzag assembly according to the attached drawing.
2. The joints are soldered together.
3. The stripped end of a 75 Ohm coaxial cable is soldered into the split of the vibrator (where the wire ends are connected).

Advantages:

• High sensitivity. This is a good long-range device for receiving a weak signal from a long distance.
• Manufacturability. If you bend it from a single piece of wire, then soldering will only be needed to connect the cable and joints.
• It is possible to connect an amplifier, which turns the structure into an active antenna, ideal for a summer house or country house.

Flaws:

• Not the best radiation pattern. Even a slight bend in the wire leads to losses in the received signal power.
• Extremely narrow focus. A triple square covers no more than 10 channels according to the old layout, so if the multiplexes differ greatly in frequency, you will either have to make two antennas (and solve matching problems) or sacrifice sensitivity.
• To get all the benefits from the range of this antenna, you need an accurate calculation (ideally down to the millimeter).

Required Components

To make a signal catcher for a radio with your own hands, you don’t need many parts. You will need:

• anchor bolt;
• soldering accessories;
• soft copper wire (about 3 m);

• plastic case;
• circuit diagram for the amplifier, transistor KT368A, resistors and capacitors (for an active dipole).

Create an antenna

Wrap the wire around the anchor bolt. Make sure the turns are smooth; they should not overlap.

Solder the wire that will lead to the radio to the winding around the bolt. Choose a plastic case for the resulting design.

Now you can install the antenna on the roof with your own hands. This can be done in several ways:

• using magnets;
• using high-quality suction cups;
• clamps;
• embedding method;
• mortise methods;
• using a threaded connection.

Position the wire by stretching it along the body, preferably along one of the car pillars. Creating an amplifier for an active antenna with your own hands is not for a beginner. If you decide to do this, you can find materials in a radio store, and diagrams on the Internet.

Step-by-step installation instructions on the roof

If the supplied cable is not long enough, an additional one will be required. The cable must be braided and have a resistance of 75 ohms.

1. At the installation site, it is necessary to drill two holes: one with a diameter for mounting the antenna and one with a diameter of 5 mm for an auxiliary one.
2. The metal at the installation site is cleaned from the inside of the cabin.
3. To avoid corrosion, the installation site is treated with mastic on the inside of the cabin and sealants on the outside.
4. For installation, it is necessary to make an insulator (spacer) from copper and fluoroplastic washers to which the cable is soldered.
5. The junction of the insulator and the cable must be sealed.
6. We install the antenna on the roof and tighten the insulator nut from the inside of the cabin.
7. We lay the cable from the antenna to the radio under the car trim.
8. We connect the antenna to the radio and check the signal quality. Watch the video on installing the antenna

Sometimes standard antennas installed on cars have low sensitivity, or over time, as a result of mechanical or other damage, they stop working completely. At first, of course, every driver thinks that he doesn’t need this antenna, they say, I’ll listen to CDs, not the radio. But over time, the downloaded music begins to get boring and you want to listen to the banal chatter of DJs on the radio. That’s when the need to purchase an active car antenna arises.

Useful tips

• The car body can either help improve the range and quality of signal reception or interfere. The location where the car antenna is installed plays a big role. The ideal place is the center of the car roof (the intersection of the diagonals).
• There should be no foreign metal objects near the catcher.
• Do not use the above techniques if you want to make a universal receiver (for radio, mobile and satellite communications, TV). It is better to purchase combined dipoles ready-made. Although you can do them yourself.
• It is better not to install an internal dipole if you are afraid of damaging the car's interior. The receiving strips will deteriorate during dismantling.
• Protect the signal catcher from the external environment as much as possible. Otherwise, the contacts will oxidize and all parts of the structure may rust.

We looked at how to make a simple but effective dipole for a car radio with your own hands. We hope the instructions will help you save time, money and nerves.

Look for other useful materials in all sections of our website. And don't forget to leave comments!

Source: nastroyvse.ru

Cable selection for AUGRA

Radio antenna devices permanently installed on the car (mortise and pin mounts) have good contact with the metal of the body. The input impedance of commercially produced antennas is 50 Ohms, and a standard RG-58 coaxial antenna cable with an outer diameter of 5.0 mm fits perfectly with them. A cable length of more than 5 meters is not recommended due to the increasing attenuation of the received signal.

Automatic gearboxes installed on a car magnetically are not electrically connected to the body. To connect them with the radio, we recommend cables RG-213 or RK 50-7-11 with an outer diameter of 10.5 mm. The cable length is determined to be 360-390 cm. Changing the length in any direction from this indicator leads to the loss of the possibility of high-quality configuration of the equipment.

How a car antenna works

Such a device is necessary to receive electromagnetic waves. It begins to convert the energy flow of these waves into an electrical signal. After these manipulations, this signal can be amplified and converted. Reception of such waves is possible only when the antenna is tuned to the required frequency or frequency range.

In order for it to capture the required frequency range, you need to choose the right length, because The quality of the received signal and sound will depend on this. In order for the device to pick up FM frequencies, the antenna must be at least 750 mm long. This explains the relationship between the size of the device and the quality of the resulting sound.

To make an antenna for a radio with your own hands, you should first decide on the type of mechanism.

There are several types, each of which is used for its own purposes.

For example, an active antenna is an electronic mechanism that combines a radio wave receiver and a radio frequency amplifier. It is capable of processing a weak signal that is sent to the canvas, then to the body of the amplification device, after which it is transmitted via cable to the antenna input of the car radio installed in the vehicle interior. Passive antennas can only receive signals from local stations.

Varieties of the model range

Anyone who has decided to build an antenna for FM radio with their own hands must understand that the main task of such a device is to capture the broadcast signal, amplify it and transmit it to the input of the receiver being used. Depending on the required range, the final unit may differ not only in the type of design, but also in dimensions. Experienced experts say that the modern market has a huge variety of antennas, and some of them can easily be called complex engineering structures that can occupy up to several thousand square meters.

In the standard model, the receiving device can be equipped with a universal conductor, which is suspended above the ground surface on protective insulators. Those electromagnetic waves that cross such a unit induce a high-frequency alternating voltage in it and transmit it to the input of the radio receiver. The final device amplifies the signal, due to which a specific low-frequency component is isolated from it, and the user himself hears high-quality sound.

How to do it yourself

Many car enthusiasts are interested in the question of how to make an antenna for a car radio with their own hands. For a homemade antenna, you will need to prepare all the necessary tools and strictly follow the step-by-step instructions.

Before installing the antenna in the car with your own hands, you need to prepare the place by clearing it of accumulated dirt and dust.

Required spare parts and tools

The set of necessary tools and spare parts includes:

• anchor bolt;
• soldering kit;
• about 3000 mm of soft wire made of copper;
• plastic case;
• circuit for an amplification device;
• transistor KT368A;
• wire that will lead into the car interior;
• for an active dipole - resistors and capacitors.

Manufacturing process

First you need to wrap the wire around the anchor bolt. All turns should be smooth, there should be no overlaps. Then you need to solder the wire leading to the car radio in the cabin to the winding. You should select a plastic case that matches the resulting design and the size of the standard location for the antenna.

You can proceed to installing the mechanism on the roof of the vehicle. There are several ways how this can be done:

• using magnets;
• using vacuum suction cups;
• clamps;
• install a place for a standard antenna;
• using thread.

The wire should be routed along the body, preferably along one of the vehicle pillars. You can drill 2 holes in the housing; it is advisable to lay the wire around the perimeter of the doorway and secure everything.

After installation, you should lay the cable along the side and connect it to the radio.

Installation of the radio receiving mechanism on the car body using the connector provided:

1. Take the wire and cut the thread.
2. On one side, the thread must be longer than the height of the insulator, because there will be 3 more nuts.
3. Tighten the first nut.
4. Insert the wire into the insulator connector and tighten nut No. 2.
5. Secure everything with a locknut.
6. Insert the insulator into the hole located on the transport body.
7. Strip the central core of the radio cable.
8. Wind several turns of the protected core and secure everything with nuts.
9. Connect the wire shield to the vehicle body.
10. Connect the antenna connector to the second end of the cable.
11. Secure the cable in the interior. For these purposes, it is recommended to use heat-protective glue.

If the user has chosen an active type of receiving mechanism, then it must be installed on the windshield using the bracket of your choice with a vacuum suction cup.

All installation and connection work must be carried out with the vehicle's power unit turned off.

In what cases is it advisable to make it yourself?

p, blockquote 5,0,0,0,0 —>

A whip antenna for radio reception usually does not contain any electronic components. In its production, mechanical processes are used (stamping, casting, metalwork). In everyday life, individual operations are quite difficult to perform using conventional tools. Therefore, it is better to purchase simple antennas ready-made.

p, blockquote 6,0,0,0,0 —>

More complex antenna devices for long-distance radio reception, television broadcasting and radio communications, interior antenna devices are products that include high-frequency matching systems, amplification units, and galvanic power supply isolation. With certain skills and experience, these expensive devices can be easily made independently, spending little money. In their manufacture, you can use ready-made components from factory antennas and other devices.

p, blockquote 7,0,0,0,0 —> adsp-pro-1 —>

Homemade devices can be used at the stage of testing receiving equipment. For example, when deciding to install a television receiver in a car, you can design a homemade antenna of a certain type (prototype). Then, in a real situation, analyze its effectiveness. If the reception quality is satisfactory, then purchase a good quality factory device. This method will avoid the cost of an unnecessary device. It should be taken into account that after connecting to the car’s equipment, the seller usually does not accept the antenna back, even if it does not satisfy the buyer in terms of characteristics.

Connection and setup

The design of a car antenna for receiving radio in a car includes 3 wires:

1. For grounding and installation of the receiving device. It is connected to a metal fastener and screwed on.
2. Wire for power supply. It must be connected to the wire coming from the radio receiver.
3. Contact. It is installed in a special connector, which is on the car radio body. In some devices, the power and contact wires can be combined into one common one.

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Advantages and disadvantages

A DIY external antenna for a car radio can be mounted at home under any vehicle body. Such mechanisms do not have any problems with the installation height for receiving an FM signal. Another advantage of a homemade device is the better quality of signal reception compared to factory-made mechanisms. If necessary, the user can convert it into a GPS antenna.

The disadvantages include the fact that employees of the state road safety inspection may have questions about a homemade antenna. Wires from the receiving mechanism can damage the interior of the cabin. In some cases, it may be necessary to drill into the body to install this unit.

Source: autotuning.expert

What to choose

Today, the manufacturer offers not just one, but a whole host of amplifier options for a car antenna.

Domestic manufacturer

Amplifier Triad

It is interesting that our domestic manufacturer also offers a whole line of products called Triad. All models deserve praise, and especially the amplifier for the car radio antenna Triada-304 Dalnoboi, which is equipped with the function of turning off the device and operating in the FM/AM/VHF radio bands.

Foreign manufacturer

Amplifier from Prologi

Among foreign manufacturers, Prologi products take pride of place. For example, their model TFB-100 is capable of amplifying digital and analogue signals and simultaneously working with two antennas.

On your own

Yes, there is such an option. For radio amateurs, it offers special kits from which you can assemble a full-fledged amplifier with your own hands. Again, homemade amplifiers are assembled using a two-stage circuit. Well, now you have learned how to strengthen the radio signal in your car radio. Installing an amplifier purchased or made by yourself will not take much time and effort. All you have to do is follow the instructions, watch the video review and study useful photo materials. The price of amplifiers varies and it all depends on the reception range, as well as the manufacturer.

Ford Focus Hatchback cHAMeleON › Logbook › Antenna, do it yourself!)

Today we will talk about the antenna)

On the very first day after buying the car, while driving into the garage, I got caught in the antenna... after which I completely unscrewed it, since there was nothing for it to catch, and even when leaving the garage it could get caught again and cause trouble(

I drove without it for 4 months) And then I decided to replace the standard antenna)

To do this I needed an anchor bolt and cold welding and copper wire.

I took the anchor bolt because its thread diameter was 5, and the length turned out to be necessary) I couldn’t find simple long bolts in stores (

Then I gave my dad this bolt, he ground off the top part a little on a lathe, and drilled holes at the top and bottom so that the wire could be inserted and fixed.

I wound the wire in 2 layers, after which I soldered the top.

Then I went to the garage and glued a transparent oracal to the base of the antenna so that the cold welding would not stick to the plastic.

In the instructions for cold welding, it was written that it is better to work with it with gloves soaked in water... but I ignored this fact, and then regretted it)

This mashed mass stuck to my hands, and it was uncomfortable to work with... that’s why I ended up with a not very beautiful workpiece for processing) Everyone will see something in it to the extent of their depravity) )

In general, after hardening, I gave it back to my dad, and he turned it on a lathe, after which it began to look good)

I primed it and painted it matte black)

It looks good on the car) And I checked the functionality on my dad’s FF2, through an adapter) It works great)

Source: www.drive2.ru

Connecting an active antenna to the radio via an adapter

Here, it seems, we could finish our conversation about connecting the antenna to the radio, if all its variations only ended with the same standard, the so-called DIN type. However, modern radios sometimes cannot afford such great luxury. There is so much in them that using a more compact plug can change the situation radically. This means that manufacturers are looking for opportunities to use their own plugs, but at the same time provide the ability to connect them with generally accepted ones. Here are some examples. The first example is when an ISO type antenna is connected to the radio via an adapter to a DIN socket. The second is when we have a Toyota radio and use an adapter to switch to a standard socket.

In fact, it is clear that when connecting an antenna, cases may arise that will require you to purchase additional adapters. And if you can’t find any, you may have to use a soldering iron.

Now we can certainly summarize that connecting an antenna is not only electrical switching, ensuring correct connection and reliable contacts of the antenna and radio, but also the selection of adapters that match each other. After all, simply by buying an antenna and trying to connect it to the radio, you do not at all guarantee that you will not need an adapter. Although the one who is aware is armed. And now we are confident that you will cope with the task!

Good day!

A very long time ago I purchased an antenna amplifier from an online store... I think all ix-vods noticed that the reception quality leaves much to be desired, well, with the help of this amplifier I wanted to close this issue...

Also in the box there was a brief instruction manual for the equipment...

I will say that the very good reviews for this amplifier won me over...

Cost: 357 rubles for the amplifier, but delivery to the Russian post office is also at my expense - 290 rubles, total 647 rubles. The actual installation is simple and does not require additional knowledge... all you need is direct hands and not a lot of information, which I will give further...

Before disassembling, I started to figure out where I would get the plus for the device... thanks to boy31 in one of his blogs and with boy31’s tips I found the necessary information

so we need 18 pins from connector “A” of the Remote Antenna - it is on it that the plus appears not when the ignition is turned on, but when the radio is turned on... To get to the connectors, you need to disassemble the console in the middle and remove the radio. We snap off the top visor with a precise and sharp movement from bottom to top...in general, I won’t describe the entire dismantling procedure - there is a very good video on YouTube on this topic by driver BerendaMR

We find connector A according to the diagram and there are 18 pins... it will be a green wire with a black dotted line...

We cut into the circuit and insulate everything with electrical tape... we could have soldered it, but there is so little voltage there that I found it unnecessary... we put everything back together in the reverse order... we hide the amplifier itself (it is glued with double-sided tape)...

I have it mounted on a plastic bracket above the radio... but in general you can install it wherever it is convenient for you... Well, everything is assembled...

And then the drum roll... turn on... listen... In short - there is no difference, what with it or without it, what with it and off, what with it on... I didn’t notice any difference... maybe somewhere outside the populated area it will be better, but in mine There are two radio stations in the village, and as there were failures during movement, they remained the same...ALS...Still, I will think about a more efficient antenna...accordingly, the fin disappears completely...

Subscribe to the car - it will be interesting! All the best!

Types and principles of operation of antennas

Antennas pick up electromagnetic waves that travel everywhere. A weak electromotive force of alternating radio frequency current is induced in the antenna conductor. It is sent to the receiving device. After this, amplification, detection and selection of the required information occurs.

Antennas are divided into active and passive. The first ones are distinguished by the presence of an amplifier that increases the signal from the car antenna. Active receiving devices provide stable reception of radio stations at a distance of more than 60 km from the transmitter.

Passive antennas do not have an amplifier. They are easier to assemble with your own hands. A passive car antenna is most often installed on the roof of a vehicle and provides reliable signal reception at a distance of up to 15 km, for example, within city limits.

Simple antenna amplifier for VHF(FM) receiver

VHF FM radio has become an indispensable attribute at home, in the car and in the country. And one of the problems that arises during its operation is ensuring the required quality of reception at a great distance from broadcasting stations.

Unfortunately, not all radio receivers have good sensitivity, so when you move several tens of kilometers away from radio stations, for example, while staying in the country or traveling out of town, the quality of reception deteriorates significantly.

Installing effective receiving antennas on a car or portable equipment is very difficult or simply impossible.

A way out of this situation may be to use a low-noise antenna amplifier at the input of the radio receiver. If the radio receiver is multi-band and has one antenna input (for example, a car), then the amplifier must amplify the signals of this particular range and transmit signals from others without loss.

In addition, in city conditions, when the level of radio signals and interference is significant, such an amplifier must be turned off to avoid crosstalk distortion.

If reception is carried out far outside the city, then the amplifier can be made non-switchable.

Assembly instructions

You can make an antenna for a car radio with your own hands at home from materials and tools that are available in your garage or workshop. Rigid steel or aluminum wire is suitable for the pin. The housing can be made of wood or plastic that does not interfere with the reception of radio waves.

To attach a homemade antenna for a radio with your own hands on the roof of a car, you will need a magnet from a faulty speaker. A cut-to-shape piece of plastic film or lint-free cloth is glued to the side that will be in contact with the car body to protect the paintwork from damage.

Inactive

To make a car antenna with your own hands, you will need:

• hard copper or steel wire;
• M5 screw with nut and locknut;
• hot glue or heat shrink tube;
• RF cable with plug for car radio;
• primer, epoxy resin or thermoplastic;
• screwdriver, wire cutters and file.

To make a pin, unwind the wire and cut a piece from 20 to 50 cm long. Then it should be straightened, and the lower end should be bent at a right angle and rolled into a ring to put a bolt on the pin, with which the radio cable will be connected. The lower part of the vibrator can be twisted into a spiral.

After this, the body is prepared. A hole is made at its bottom for a mounting magnet, which is attached with glue. The central core of the radio cable is connected to the pin via a bolt. The screen braid is moved back and insulated so that it does not short-circuit to the vibrator. Otherwise, the radio in the car will not work.

The next step is to install the FM antenna for the car into the housing. To do this, make a hole in it in the shape of a bolt, which is then inserted and fixed by pouring cold welding, other hardening resin or plastic. This part should be shaped into a cone and sanded after curing for a neater appearance.

You can also make a car radio antenna with your own hands at home in the form of a shark fin. To do this, you will need an anchor bolt with a length of 10 to 25 cm, in both ends of which holes must be drilled. Flexible copper wire should be wound on it in 2 layers as tightly as possible. Its ends must be inserted into the previously drilled holes. The upper end should be securely soldered, and a nut with a lock nut should be screwed onto the lower end.

Then the outer layer of insulation should be made from epoxy resin or thermoplastic and shaped into the desired shape.

Vinyl or carbon fiber should not be used as they interfere with radio reception.

When the body has hardened, the surface should be processed on a lathe or by hand sanding to give the product a neat appearance.

To complete the work on making a radio antenna in the form of a shark fin for a car, you should paint it yourself in the color of the body, if the color of the material used for the body differs from black. Installation of the receiving device on the roof is carried out through a special bracket, which will not allow the pin to come into contact with the body. This design will well receive a useful FM signal in large cities with powerful transmitters, distinguishing it from the background interference.

To make an active car antenna with your own hands, you will need an amplifier from a television antenna, rated for 12 V, along with the supplied power injector and casing, and 2 telescopic antennas from household radios. In their lower parts, holes should be drilled that are suitable in diameter to the amplifier inputs. For more reliable fastening, a washer should be placed between these parts and the amplifier board. The entire structure is placed in a sealed casing, to the bottom of which a fixation magnet is attached.

You can supply power to the amplifier not only through the injector, but also in this way. A capacitor with a capacity of 20-50 pF is connected to the gap in the central core of the radio frequency cable. The blue and white stripe wire from the car radio is extended and connected to the capacitor terminal facing the amplifier. In the gap of this wire you need to include a choke, consisting of 100 turns of thin wire and wound on a ferrite core.

This antenna will provide reliable reception not only of radio stations, but also of analog and digital TV channels in the car. You can also make a car antenna with an amplifier based on a KT 368 A transistor or similar.

To make a GPS antenna for a car, you will need a piece of wire 2.5 mm thick, a housing made of plastic, and a cable. You can also use a Bosch radio antenna adhesive to the windshield as a receiving device for the navigator if you remove the radio signal amplifier module for the car receiver.

To make a car antenna for GPS with your own hands, bend a piece of wire at right angles on three sides. The result will be a U-shaped structure. The left edge should be bent at an acute angle, and the right edge at a straight angle. The length of the last petal should be about 18 mm. The length of the sides of such an antenna is 46 mm.

Compliance with the dimensions is necessary to ensure the functionality of the receiving device. A cable with a plug for the GPS antenna is soldered to a petal bent at a right angle. Finally, the structure is placed in the housing and glued to the windshield or placed closer to it under the dashboard.

Rating of the best models

The rating of car antennas includes models with the largest number of positive reviews.

Triad 55 Turbo

The Russian-made device picks up VHF and FM waves. The model is suitable for all types of car radios and is installed on the windshield. The radio antenna is capable of picking up signals at a distance of up to 150 km from the source. The kit includes an antenna adapter for the car radio and a filter that eliminates most city noise.

Installation of a car antenna is carried out using a fitting and a power cable. The large length of the wire allows for hidden installation without the use of extension cords.

Automania Digital TV/FM

The model is used not only for listening to radio stations, but also for watching TV. This is convenient for drivers of passenger transport making intercity trips. The device has an oval shape and 2 branches with spiral wire laying.

The device is equipped with a built-in amplifier that improves the quality of a weak signal. The antenna works well at low and high temperatures. The device is powered by a voltage of 12 V. The model is fixed to the windshield using adhesive tape.

Bosch AUTOFUN

A retractable car antenna will appeal to any driver who is used to listening to music while traveling. The German model is installed on the windshield; its minimal dimensions allow it not to block the view. The round-shaped case is equipped with an LED element that reflects the operating mode, and a plug through which a 12 V power cable is connected.

The block is equipped with 2 antennae that capture the signal. When installing the device, the metal rods are moved apart so that they form a right angle.

Phantom TV Impulse

A radio antenna picks up several types of signals, including digital ones. The triangular body is equipped with an LED element and the developer’s logo. All wires are located on one side. The antennae are distributed along the glass, which expands the operating range of the device.

The power cable is connected to the TV output. The latter is suitable for setting up all TV models. The power cable can be connected to the battery without adapters. Amplifier included.

Triad VA Euro 65

This is the simplest and cheapest model of outdoor antennas. The cone-shaped body has a single tendril located at an angle of 60°. The device can be placed on the roof. A hole is made in the top of the car where the antenna pin is inserted. Secure the device with a nut. The power cable is inserted into the groove under the casing. The range is 90 km.

The length of the outer part is 20 cm. The compact device is resistant to mechanical damage. When exposed to wind, the antenna quickly restores its previous position. A passive device only picks up radio signals.

Lemm Turbo AT-2001

A good telescopic antenna is made of stainless steel and silumin. The central part is expanded, which allows the installation of a rubber seal and fasteners. For fixation, a hole with a diameter of 4 mm is made in the body. The 2 m long rod allows you to configure the antenna to receive signals of any range.

The presence of a long rod also causes inconvenience. The rod clings to branches and crossbars. The device has increased power (up to 2000 W). A 4 meter installation cable is included. The heavy weight of the main unit requires reliable fixation. There is an adapter for magnetic mounting.

FM Calearo ANT 77 27 085

Italian developers have expanded the functionality of the standard model, adding the ability to receive GSM and television signals. Made of durable plastic, the body has the appearance of a shark fin. The device installed on the roof does not create inconvenience when driving under barriers and bridges.

The kit includes 2 long wires. The device can amplify both analog and digital signals. The model is available in 3 color options that will look good on all cars.

Advantages and disadvantages of homemade devices

One of the advantages of a homemade car antenna is the ability to more accurately adjust to reception conditions by choosing the length of the receiving pin and the installation location on or inside the vehicle body. With careful and correct assembly, the sensitivity and bandwidth of a homemade receiving device will be no worse than that of a factory one.

One of the disadvantages of homemade antennas is the need to drill into the car body. Over time, the hole may rust. Some homemade antennas may not comply in their dimensions with the Road Traffic Regulations.

Mounting methods and designs

Active car antenna

Based on the mounting method, external car antennas are divided as follows:

1. With magnetic base. It is very convenient to place such a structure on the roof of a car. To prevent the base from scratching the paint, do not place it on a dirty body.
2. Mortise. Installation requires, as the name suggests, cutting a hole in the body of the car. The installation site must be protected from corrosion.
3. With clamps for fastening to the edge of the gutter. Not suitable for vehicles with plastic gutters.

Typically, an external antenna is an asymmetrical quarter-wave or half-wave vibrator (the latter, due to its large size, is somewhat less common). Structurally, it can be telescopic or pin in several versions: a steel pin, a steel spring in a dielectric casing, a flexible dielectric rod with a wire wound around it, covered with an insulating cover.

It is not possible to single out any design for the better. We can only note that the telescopic antenna wears out over time, due to which the contact between its links deteriorates, so when the car moves, a cracking noise will be heard in the receiver. According to the mounting method, a telescopic antenna is most often mortise-mounted. The remaining structures are fastened using any of the above methods equally often.

Specifics of receiving television programs

A car television antenna is always in difficult signal reception conditions. No matter what the seller tells you, and no matter how expensive it is, you can only get a stable picture without interference on the TV screen while driving for a short time, and then only by chance.

And since it is much more complex than a signal from a news or music radio station, the requirements for good reception are higher. Therefore, the most you can hope for with a good antenna, if it is not satellite, is to watch TV in the parking lot.

Features of outdoor antennas

Placing a car antenna outside has at least one advantage over installing it inside the car - it is much less shielded by the body. Therefore, the reception quality of antenna devices located inside the cabin is almost never higher than that of devices located externally. Outdoor antennas, as a rule, are not equipped with an amplifier, that is, with rare exceptions, they are only passive. Contrary to popular belief, reception quality does not depend on the length of the antenna. The frequency range in which it operates depends on its length. The quality of reception largely depends on the height of its installation, so an antenna on the roof of a car, all other things being equal, will be a more preferable option, even if it is mortized.

Connection and setup

Before connecting a homemade antenna for a car radio, you need to make sure that the cable is not damaged. It is then routed under the car's dashboard to the radio. If the cable is inserted into the cabin through a hole in the roof, then all holes are carefully sealed. The cable plug is inserted into the car receiver.

If the receiving device is assembled correctly, then all available stations should be received clearly and reliably without on-air debris. The power wire of the active antenna is connected to the blue and white stripe wire of the car radio or directly to the battery via a switch.

Source: omagnitolah.ru

AUGRA installation options

Installation of automatic control gear must comply with the following requirements:

• ensuring reliable fastening of the radio receiver to the car, preventing movement when exposed to various mechanical loads (wind, bending, etc.);
• ensuring tight contact with the body, which acts as a mass, which significantly reduces the level of interference and improves signal quality.

All options for installing a receiving radio antenna come down to three main methods for fixing the automatic control gear on a vehicle:

• mortise mounting using a through hole drilled in the roof or other part of the body;
• magnetic mount using a magnetic antenna base;
• a pin mount, which is a mechanical fixation of the antenna rod for a car radio on a special clamp-type bracket.

APRA mortise mount

The mounting pin of the radio antenna base is inserted into the through hole, and a nut is screwed onto it from inside the passenger compartment. The advantages of the “mortise fastening” method include:

• the strength of the device, reducing the likelihood of it being stolen;
• stability of the operating parameters of the antenna-feeder system after installation.

Among the disadvantages, the following circumstance is noted: the edges of the drilled hole are centers of corrosion of the metal body, therefore it is recommended to use standard technological holes.

Important! In the fastening area, it is necessary to strip the metal of paint to ensure reliable conductive contact of the nut, as an element of the antenna, with the metal of the car body. On rice

Below is the antenna base with a pin and a hole in the roof of the car prepared for installing the AUGRA

In Fig. Below is an antenna base with a pin and a hole in the roof of the car prepared for installing the AUGRA.

Antenna base for flush mounting

Magnetic mount APRA

The magnetic fastening of the antenna is provided by magnets located at its base - the sole. Magnets can be purchased separately from the antenna device. The most popular magnets are with diameters from 90 to 170 mm. The stability of the automatic control gear directly depends on the diameter of the magnet.

The antenna is attached to the magnet through two types of connectors:

• The DV connector is adapted to most antenna systems and allows for adjustment of the installation angle;
• The PL connector is more reliable in terms of maintaining strict vertical installation.

In Fig. Magnetic antenna mounts with DV and PL bases are shown below.

Magnetic antenna mounts with DV and PL bases

The advantages of the magnetic fastening method include the following points:

• ease of installation or dismantling;
• relatively high stability of the automatic control gear is ensured while maintaining the optimal size of the magnetic base;
• capacitive coupling of the magnetic base with the metal of the body creates a kind of imitation of “mass” necessary for the operation of the receiving antenna;
• the ability to move when setting up equipment.

Disadvantages include:

• low strength of fixation on the body;
• ease of abduction;
• the possibility of shifting, which leads to the need for additional adjustments.