headhunter Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 Is it feasible to use the heated rear screen on a Defender as a radio aerial? I know lots of vehicles do have such an arrangement including Rangr Rover's. Does anyone know what's involved or has anyone undertaken this modification? Any advice appreciated. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 (edited) There used to be a signal amplifier or similar around a few years ago, I used one om my car and it worked fairly well, IIRC the 2nd generation RR's use a similar item on the right rear side window. Found this in EPC radio antenna amplfier AM/FM part number AMR3323 & lead XUD100570 other than a main dealer, I'm not sure where you'd get these from. have a look on Maplin site, they may have something similar Edited September 11, 2005 by western Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 On the Discovery the aerial is a separate element, same idea (a thing printed on the window) but doesn't use the same bit. Not sure what would happen if you fed 12V into the radio input when the HRW was switched on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landi41 Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 On the Discovery the aerial is a separate element, same idea (a thing printed on the window) but doesn't use the same bit. Not sure what would happen if you fed 12V into the radio input when the HRW was switched on! I'll bet you could pick up Radio Iceland :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Marshall Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 I think that you'll find that most current cars use a seperate element for the aerial - my last Volvo V70 had one on the rear-most passenger side window in the boot area....probably tells you something about mixing it with heater electrics [The new Discovery uses the same approach, surprise, surprise]. Don't recall the first generation items [1970s] being very clever at all, certainly not up to hifi FM. On a Saab 9000 I had the antenna was part of the electric heating element, but to prevent the antenna signal being emitted when power is supplied to the electric heating element, a filter was fitted in the antenna amplifier to block the antenna signal. On the ground side of the heating element was an antenna filter which blocked the antenna signal from ground. Reception in the Saab was not that good in many areas on weaker stations. The HRW has to act as a tuned dipole to produce a decent signal....can't see that LR would have taken this into account at all. Had you thought of using one of those helical coil short springy Bosch antennas, set back at angle, that Golfs and Astras have as standard? They come with a built in amp, IIRC, and there should be plenty at the scrappers. Should withstand a reasonable clout if left on - antenna part designed to be unscrewed for car washes. However, if that's what you want to do, here's how to get the part from a scrapped Sierra......clicky aerial instructions. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve King Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 There was a device called the Bi-Fi which supposedly allowed you to use the rear screen heating element as an aerial. I know a couple of people who tried this and the results were not impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 Bi-Fi that's the thing I was refering to in my earlier reply, cheers I couldn't remember the name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niall_CSK Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Cheapest thing you can do is find someone who has an old RRC one lying about. A lot of people don't know what they are and there is not a lot of call for them second hand. I had the BiFi on an SD1 I had, worked OK but not any better than the Rangie one. Try a post on the RR forum for Simon_CSK or Stephen, they are bound to have at least one lying about. Pretty sure I have a spare but won't be home for a month or so otherwise you could have it for postage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhunter Posted September 12, 2005 Author Share Posted September 12, 2005 Thanks all for advice. I'll give it a try once I find the parts. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.