Cab Radio Question

Anonymous-0 · Jul 8, 2008

I put a nice MP3 player AM FM radio in my john deere cab tractor, and i think it was a 28 inch antenna on top of the cab, however i'm just not getting good reception on the FM band, some stations have a good bit of static but in my truck they are crystal clear, is there anything i can do to get better reception? maybe a power booster or something???

twopop · Jul 8, 2008

if i remember correctly,the antenna is mounted to the fiberglass roof panel.you need to look at the antenna ground.your problem is probably from a bad ground

Larry D. · Jul 8, 2008

If Your radio is Working in the other vehicle..I srongly suspect the Antenna is broken maybe the cable, If You have access to a Volt OHM Meter, put it on the RX1 range scale and See if You have any needle Deflection when Putting the probes to the CENTER PIN and the outside grounded Braid You should NOT get a reading,If You are Not Electriclaay Inclined, Just go to an Electronics Store and Borrow/Buy an Antenna, last but not least, Some radios,<>Mostly Older have a TRIMMER Screw Adjustment near the point of Entry of the antenna, IF this is the case, Simply turn it one way or the other to see any Improvement..ONLY a turn at a time in either direction,,Hope this is of some help! Later Larry KF4LKU

Anonymous-0 · Jul 8, 2008

we cut a place out and riveted in a piece of metal for the antenna to attach on do you think that sufficent?

also everything was brand new when we installed it

Anonymous-0 · Jul 8, 2008

Only if the metal is connected to the tractor chassis, cab frame, or any other metal to give a full ground path to battery.

guido · Jul 8, 2008

Hello Mitchp.
For FM radio the antenna lenght is 33"
If your mast is 28" the difference in the lenght is made-up by winding the antenna lead wire around the mast.
A boost for the signal is certainly a plus!
The higher you install the antenna the better reception you will get.FM signals are directional, they get deflected by tall buildings. The best reception will accure when the antenna can pointed/aimed to the incoming signal, so in a stationary radio an antenna rotor will give the best results, pointed towards the trasmitter of the station.In a mobile radio if the signal does not reach directly from the trasmitter,(line of sight), then the signal strenght is diminished and you will get poor reception.
Guido.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 8, 2008

so in other words, need to attach another piece of metal from the frame to that piece that the antenna is mounted on and that should help out? i know the fiberglass top isn't grounded hardly at all, it just sits up there and is held on by 2 bolts.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2008

Or even a wire plate to chassis should work, or something like the braided straps autos used from engine to body.

Cab Radio Question

Anonymous-0

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twopop

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Larry D.

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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guido

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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