Replacement Aeriel for my GU Patrol

[Caledwvech]

Hey Guys,

I was up in the Watagans last weekend. Had a good time especially that moment you get to rescue a Landcruiser. Pic and video attached for your viewing pleasure. Please dont comment on where that guy was standing for the winch out. I told him like 5 times to move, he kept coming back to there. :| Not sure what he was thinking.....
66976

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djxXXKGR_0U&feature=youtu.be.

Anyway, what I discovered and what I need help with is that the design for the Patrol's aerial is a bit ridiculous. Yes you can lower it, but it doesn't go down all the way. This meant that in the tight tracks it got bent back and forth like there was no tomorrow even when "lowered". So of course it's now nicely kinked and it's only a matter of time till it comes off. I can see that there are replacement ones out there for around the $50 mark, but just wondering if anyone knew of any better options? Ideally a rubber type one similar to a UHF aerial that would work? Or even one that has a nice spring mount? Otherwise this is just going to happen again....

Thanks guys

[threedogs]

You can buy a combo UHF/am-fm antenna,
as you said looks similar to your UHF antenna

I lower my antenna down when 4x4ing and use tunes from the SD card

[Hodge]

Hey mate I have a GME Am/Fm whip antenna that can cop a a pounding! The factory antenna is obsolete and disconnected. As a bonus I now have much better reception in contrast. Right hand side antenna in the photo. From memory it was $40 from Autobarn.

https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/antennas/amfm-and-mobile-phone/aem3.aspx

PS. That bloke in the photo is asking for a decapitation.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=66977&stc=1

[jay see]

I had a look at the link and it says that it is DAB+ compatible. Can that to use with a digital TV tuner threedogs

[sooty_10]

Ive got the same GME am/fm whip. Works a treat.

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[LostBenji]

Anyway, what I discovered and what I need help with is that the design for the Patrol's aerial is a bit ridiculous. Yes you can lower it, but it doesn't go down all the way. This meant that in the tight tracks it got bent back and forth like there was no tomorrow even when "lowered". So of course it's now nicely kinked and it's only a matter of time till it comes off. I can see that there are replacement ones out there for around the $50 mark, but just wondering if anyone knew of any better options? Ideally a rubber type one similar to a UHF aerial that would work? Or even one that has a nice spring mount? Otherwise this is just going to happen again....

Thanks guys
Turn radio, antenna goes away, otherwise see below.


You can buy a combo UHF/am-fm antenna,
as you said looks similar to your UHF antenna
I lower my antenna down when 4x4ing and use tunes from the SD card
These require proper antenna band-pass splitters that result in higher than wanted losses. they rarely have enough isolation resulting in the UHF Tx getting into the FM radio too much along with usually blown out SWR. Bloody over these shits on boats.
Simply run dedicated antenna in correct position and all is sweet.


Hey mate I have a GME Am/Fm whip antenna that can cop a a pounding! The factory antenna is obsolete and disconnected. As a bonus I now have much better reception in contrast. Right hand side antenna in the photo. From memory it was $40 from Autobarn.
Used to sell and install plenty of these but can come with mixed results, GME still hasn't figured out 50ohm antenna on 50ohm coax into 75ohm radio.... Also, the radio plugs can be very touchy and weak. The GME's are really just old 27MHz whips that become 1/2 wave for FM band.
A stainless steel 1/4 wave whip works well to.


I had a look at the link and it says that it is DAB+ compatible. Can that to use with a digital TV tuner threedogs
DAB+ means Digital Audio Broadcast, nothing to do with DTV.

If you are running the factory head-unit, keep in mind that many run dual-diversity antennas meaning special plug into the radio. You can confirm by looking at the rear-passenger side glass for the antenna element (looks like a demister coil).



As for any antenna mountings, there are plenty of traps and I see plenty of "FAIL's" daily. I will do up a guide in coming weeks on do's and don'ts.

[threedogs]

Jaysee may have meant DBtv as I have television in my Patrol.
Of all the antenna out there and on ebay etc the best was from
a mob in Seaford Vic, about $100 for a 900mm antenna and it works a treat imo lol

[Caledwvech]

Thanks for all the info. The issue I have is that I have a VMS system in my Patrol. I cannot put the antenna all the way down and have that on (tracking where we were going). So I lowered it as far as it would allow, but still not enough apparently.

LostBenji, from what you are are saying - it's best just to go with the standard one? I have pretty poor reception at the best of times. I could try getting one of those GME ones from Autobarn. Couldn't hurt I am sure.

Oh and that guy in the photo most definitely wasn't standing there when we tried the snatch. Cause you are right. Both him and the photo taker are asking for death if they stayed there....

[LostBenji]

The standard radio is dual diversity and is OK for reception. That being said, they still suck at time.

The GME AEM2 (the bigger one) and AEM3 (smaller one) do work OK, just make sure they are away from other antennas.

As for the VMS more info please, never heard of it.

[threedogs]

You could buy a powered 12v antenna like the ones
used in hotrods and have it high up on the inside of the windshield.
Similar to a single wire taped up high, still good reception or down low
personal preference on placement, The antenna on my camper is a single wire
running the length of the rubber seal for the hard lid

[the evil twin]

... or go the Holden Antenna.
A wire coat hanger bent in the shape of Straya jammed in the snapped off whip

[jay see]

DAB+ means Digital Audio Broadcast, nothing to do with DTV.

If you are running the factory head-unit, keep in mind that many run dual-diversity antennas meaning special plug into the radio. You can confirm by looking at the rear-passenger side glass for the antenna element (looks like a demister coil).



Oops brain must have been on the blink.

[LostBenji]

You could buy a powered 12v antenna like the ones
used in hotrods and have it high up on the inside of the windshield.
Similar to a single wire taped up high, still good reception or down low
personal preference on placement, The antenna on my camper is a single wire
running the length of the rubber seal for the hard lid

Any actively boosted antennas can help but also cause more problems. To start with, you have to have a clean signal, weak is fine but as long as it is clear. If you run a booster it will boost all it hears. Unfortunately, this means if there is nearby noise either be a frequency near the FM band (VHF-low band) or other signals that are unwanted, these will get boosted as well. The trick is keeping the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) good.

Compromised antennas (stubby rubber dildo's, short wire whips or those run in windows, roof cavities and the likes will also be a low performer. Not much chop for fringe areas.

[Caledwvech]

The standard radio is dual diversity and is OK for reception. That being said, they still suck at time.

The GME AEM2 (the bigger one) and AEM3 (smaller one) do work OK, just make sure they are away from other antennas.

As for the VMS more info please, never heard of it.


Yeah I wanted an all in one system so did quite a bit of research. There was basically the Hema one or the VMS one. The VMS system just does more and seemed to be a bit better. Basically it's a CD/DVD player, radio, Bluetooth and also has both on road and off road maps. Really nice. These are the details: http://www.vms4x4.com/collections/indash-navigation/products/x506-nissan-general.

[LostBenji]

Not bad looking units. Mind you, I haven't found a sat-nav unit that beats my phone and google maps.