Aerial Connections

[MrT]

One of the ways to improve TMC information for SatNav is to insert a splitter into the aerial feed to the radio and connect it up. However I have read that the Mk2 Galaxy has a powered aerial system and I do not know how this is configured so I do not know where to insert the splitter and where there is power on the aerial feed.

 

I assume that somewhere between the radio and the aerial in the window there is a booster amplifier that is fed by a 12v supply? Is this supply on the coax connection from the radio so inserting a splitter would either short the 12V out or open circuit it? If so could the splitter be put between the booster and the window aerial or is the 12V here as well? Where is the signal booster located?

 

Has anyone split the feed in a Gal?

[RADIOTWO]

One of the ways to improve TMC information for SatNav is to insert a splitter into the aerial feed to the radio and connect it up. However I have read that the Mk2 Galaxy has a powered aerial system and I do not know how this is configured so I do not know where to insert the splitter and where there is power on the aerial feed.

 

I assume that somewhere between the radio and the aerial in the window there is a booster amplifier that is fed by a 12v supply? Is this supply on the coax connection from the radio so inserting a splitter would either short the 12V out or open circuit it? If so could the splitter be put between the booster and the window aerial or is the 12V here as well? Where is the signal booster located?

 

Has anyone split the feed in a Gal?

Hi Mr T

 

Not too sure what you are trying to do !

 

Is the satnav a seperate unit or is it part of the radio ?

 

and also please explain more about the splitter

 

Radiotwo

[MrT]

Basically I want to add one of these to the aerial system so the aerial feeds the standard car radio and a separate SatNav aerial input but I believe there are issues with the powered aerial.

 

http://www.nexxia.co.uk/Car_Stereo_fitting_kits/images/PC5-105.jpg

[RADIOTWO]

Basically I want to add one of these to the aerial system so the aerial feeds the standard car radio and a separate SatNav aerial input but I believe there are issues with the powered aerial.

 

http://www.nexxia.co.uk/Car_Stereo_fitting_kits/images/PC5-105.jpg

Hi Again

 

I think I can see what you are trying to do, but if you are using the normal aerial on the car, it wont work for GPS, its the wrong freqency.

 

car radio: 108 Mhz and satnav(GPS) is 1.8Ghz

 

There are duel band antenna's but you are better with seperates

 

I have just reread the text, but the lead you are showing would be the wrong way round, ie, that lead is for two radios and one aerial.

 

Radiotwo

Edited January 20, 2009 by RADIOTWO

[MrT]

The TMC (traffic) data is transmitted inband (FM) by various radio stations such as Classic FM.

 

The TMC receiver unit has a wire aerial that normally runs up the inside of the windscreen but in the Galaxy due to the heated screen you can only do this right next to the A pillar which severely reduces the signal. An external FM aerial could be used but I do not want to do this, so another option is to use the existing fitted aerial split to feed both the car radio unit and also the TMC unit which is in effect another radio receiver with a data extraction facility.

 

However a splitter such as in the picture may not work as the Galaxy has a power amplifier somewhere in the vehicle which I suspect is fed by 12V through the aerial coax. (Also the splitter shown has the wrong connectors for the Galaxy).

[RADIOTWO]

The TMC (traffic) data is transmitted inband (FM) by various radio stations such as Classic FM.

 

The TMC receiver unit has a wire aerial that normally runs up the inside of the windscreen but in the Galaxy due to the heated screen you can only do this right next to the A pillar which severely reduces the signal. An external FM aerial could be used but I do not want to do this, so another option is to use the existing fitted aerial split to feed both the car radio unit and also the TMC unit which is in effect another radio receiver with a data extraction facility.

 

However a splitter such as in the picture may not work as the Galaxy has a power amplifier somewhere in the vehicle which I suspect is fed by 12V through the aerial coax. (Also the splitter shown has the wrong connectors for the Galaxy).

Hi again

 

I think I am getting the idea, but as you say if the galaxy aerial is powered then you might have a problem.

 

The best solution is to fit a (metal) mounted aerial but as you say you don't want to do that.

 

Did the TMC receiver come with the wire antenna?

 

if it did then I suspect it will be the best for the job, as it will be at the correct frequency.

 

Just thought of something that was said once to me, buy a farly cheap wing mounted aerial and extend it but put it above the roof lining (make sure it does not float around, or touch the metal) and plug that into the TMC unit, and that might work !!

 

Radiotwo

[mk2vr6]

easy option insert the splitter into the back of the radio direct then power the amp with the neccesary adaptor you use when you fit a non oe head unit, that way you get the rds signal and still power the amp

oh and what sat nav you using?

Edited January 21, 2009 by mk2vr6

[Smilge]

The TMC (traffic) data is transmitted inband (FM) by various radio stations such as Classic FM.

 

The TMC receiver unit has a wire aerial that normally runs up the inside of the windscreen but in the Galaxy due to the heated screen you can only do this right next to the A pillar which severely reduces the signal. An external FM aerial could be used but I do not want to do this, so another option is to use the existing fitted aerial split to feed both the car radio unit and also the TMC unit which is in effect another radio receiver with a data extraction facility.

 

However a splitter such as in the picture may not work as the Galaxy has a power amplifier somewhere in the vehicle which I suspect is fed by 12V through the aerial coax. (Also the splitter shown has the wrong connectors for the Galaxy).

 

All you need to do is to solder a 500 microfarad capacitor in series with the inner core of the TMC part of the splitter lead. Capacitors act as a DC block and therefore the 12V won't get through.