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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7695

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Poor radio reception
i changed the std def radio for one with a few more options (handsfree and MP3)

Since doing so the radio struggles to keep tuned to a station and often starts to search.

First unit was a Pioneer head unit, then a Kenwood, both head units struggle to maintain a signal.

it is not localised either.

i have checked the antenna feed and its not kinked or broken that i can determine.

there is nothing else plugged in to anything in the vehicle like chargers, nothing else electrical has been changed.

i would welcome any suggestions on what to try.

i should point out electrics are not my strong point! Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #335478 3rd Jun 2014 5:44pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19608

United Kingdom 
Do you have any LED lighting? Also, a secondary aerial maybe useful.
What aerial type are you using?
Post #335479 3rd Jun 2014 5:50pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7695

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
LED replacement int light.

std areial Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #335528 3rd Jun 2014 9:20pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19608

United Kingdom 
Probably nothing to do with LED's then.
The standard aerial isn't that good really, mines the same but I'm not a radio fan so not fussed.
I would change the aerial if I was you, could be an ideal time to try the Entreq one or a similar alternative.
Failing that an amplified aerial to get better reception.
A change shouldn't be too difficult.
I doubt there will be any other option that will work very well unless you try a 2nd internal aerial and use a splitter in con-junction with the standard aerial meaning you are effectively running two at the same time.
I'd imagine the reason the aftermarket HU's behave in this way because they are sensitive, they do attempt to auto seek too as you've explained.
It will then seek a station with a good signal which ever that may be, which frankly isn't much good every five minutes.
Post #335531 3rd Jun 2014 9:30pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7695

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
cheers Steve, will give it all some thought Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #335555 3rd Jun 2014 10:24pm
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Macpaul



Member Since: 26 Mar 2013
Location: SW Surrey
Posts: 439

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Loire Blue
My reception was getting poor but all looked properly connected.

The other day I removed it, still connected, and rubbed up the under-wing mounting plate with some emery paper. There's some sharp little points on the plate that bite into the underside of the wing when its all tightened up. Make sure they're clean to make a good connection, and the underside of the wing is free from crud.

Put it back and reception on mine is better than its ever been. 2003 Td5 110 Hardtop
Now a 2013 110 USW too.
Post #335560 3rd Jun 2014 10:30pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19608

United Kingdom 
Although the wing mounted aerial is part of the iconic design in this case IMO practicality over design is a big issue.
I think a wing mounted aerial in any for is rubbish.
I never use mine basically, in 4 years of ownership it stays in and has only been extended two if three times I think.
Not only that I drive a lot of country lanes and it's so fragile a stick or similar from in the hedge would at best bend it or at worst snap it.
Really not a fan, really IMO should be central on the roof either front or rear or even CB whip style.
Most cars mounting of the front roof section in the centre is for a reason.
Trouble is with the Defender that there is a support rib under that section meaning off set is the only way, of course I'm not a fan of that either. Rolling Eyes
Then again I like thinks to match both sides or be centred only. (Probably bordering on Defender related OCD though. Embarassed )
Post #335580 3rd Jun 2014 11:53pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7695

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
i went for a cheaper option to try.

wrapped some kitchen foil around the antenna lead...

its alot better..... Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #335617 4th Jun 2014 9:06am
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
custom90steve wrote:
I never use mine basically, in 4 years of ownership it stays in and has only been extended two if three times I think.


Oddly, mine stays in most of the time and I have no difficulty in picking up all my favourite radios stations on my usual journeys. Maybe the transmitters in Yorkshire are just well placed?
Post #335624 4th Jun 2014 9:36am
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PCA42



Member Since: 15 Jun 2014
Location: Church Stretton
Posts: 468

England 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Tonga Green
I've got this problem now.

I've got a low-end Kenwood CD/USB/Radio head unit, everything else is standard. Reception used to be pretty good, but the other day it started not being able to pick up hardly any radio stations whatsoever. I've checked all the wiring, and there are no kinks/cuts etc that I can see. The only change I've done to the vehicle lately is add a dash-cam plugged into a USB charger, but unplugged it makes no difference.

Can head unit tuners fail, I think the unit is about 6 years old now? Pete

2010 Discovery 4 GS TDV6
1972 Series III 88" 2.25P
Post #397374 9th Feb 2015 7:10pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5424

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Probably the USB item. My USB iPhone charger kills my reception, older style one (bigger connector) is ok, and both are genuine apple products.

Andy
Post #397500 9th Feb 2015 11:03pm
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PCA42



Member Since: 15 Jun 2014
Location: Church Stretton
Posts: 468

England 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Tonga Green
I've put another head unit in the truck now, and cleaned up the base of the aerial that touches the underside of the wing. Still no different.

I unplugged the dash cam again, and it does make a difference now. Signal isn't back to 100%, but does anyone know why the dash cam (plugged into the 12v socket) would affect that? I'd like to have the camera, but taken it out for now as I want to listen to the radio! Big Cry Pete

2010 Discovery 4 GS TDV6
1972 Series III 88" 2.25P
Post #398339 13th Feb 2015 12:49am
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