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[JohnM]

Given the fitted bee string aerial points backwards at about 45º it catches (badly) when shutting the garage door - I need to take it off - what do other folk do ?

Compromise with a shorter one (I reckon a liitle less the half length will fit), what about radio reception?  I possess many types of saw!

Bend it into a contorted forward facing 'inverted L', or perhaps a sideways one. Are they robust enough?

Fit a rubber helical - can you get them with this metric thread?
(I know I've seen someones at a meet like this, but my memory fails me).

Will this leave the phone reception unaffected?

[VXL V6]

Whip lengths of antenna are proportional to wave length, therefore cutting one will make it inefficient for a given frequency (well the ones it was designed for!).

 

[Lazydocker]

Buy a aerial base ball from Prodrive Makes it stand vertical

If you use the search function you should be able to bring up the details, if not I'll try and hunt them out tomorrow

[aaronjb]

Buy a aerial base ball from Prodrive Makes it stand vertical

I think vertical will make matters worse for him - it's catching on his garage door, not the tailgate, that he's worried about

[JohnM]

Yes, I need to keep it out of the way of the sweep of the garage door as it closes/opens.

A shorter one would fit - the question is, does it affect the radio reception - in practice (I know the theory).
I see hollyfrauds have some on their website, shorter bee-string with a note; 'may adversely affect reception'.

Thanks for the tip re- prodrive.  Called them, knew nothing. Rechecked threads here and found another number - same lass! This time, Oh you didn't say for an omega, still don't know!  Someone else may call back (!)
If anyone has a photo of the ball adapter could you post it up here for me.

There seem to be lots out there on the web, if any good I don't know.
But someone may be along in due course with some insight.

[VXL V6]

Posted by: VXL V6
« on: 06 November 2011, 23:33:00 »

Whip lengths of antenna are proportional to wave length, therefore cutting one will make it inefficient for a given frequency (well the ones it was designed for!).

A shorter one would fit - the question is, does it affect the radio reception - in practice (I know the theory).

I see hollyfrauds have some on their website, shorter bee-string with a note; 'may adversely affect reception'.

 

[Kevin Wood]

Posted by: VXL V6
« on: 06 November 2011, 23:33:00 »

Whip lengths of antenna are proportional to wave length, therefore cutting one will make it inefficient for a given frequency (well the ones it was designed for!).

A shorter one would fit - the question is, does it affect the radio reception - in practice (I know the theory).

I see hollyfrauds have some on their website, shorter bee-string with a note; 'may adversely affect reception'.

 

PMSL. In the same way that square wheels  "may adversely affect ride quality".

[Dave DND]

Why not replace entire thing for something like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-SHARK-FIN-CAR-ANTENNA-AERIAL-VECTRA-MERIVA-SIGNUM-/120336785164?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c04a19f0c

there are better versions available if you search, that also incorporate GSM and GPS

May solve your problem ?

 

[aaronjb]

Sounds like one of those would be perfect for the OPs problem - assuming they still receive some kind of radio signal

Hm.. maybe I'll search for a GPS/GSM one and see if that solves my lack of GPS problem.

[JohnM]

Thanks Dave and all.
Shark fin sounds good but I do need (want) the GSM that is already buit in.

I've made a temporary replacement and a short M6 screw to see if it suitable - faces forward 45 degrees but roughly the same length.  Might play with a shorter rearward facing one later.

Aye, vxvv6 but if we were to stick to resonant lengths (why stop there, there are some efficient 5/8 & 7/8 loaded) we'd all be driving around with 24" stubbies and that's before swmbo has retuned for R5 (alas no dab!).

Still surprised no one else has this sorted already.

[twiglet]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why don't you just reverse the car into the garage instead? 

[VXL V6]

Thanks Dave and all.
Shark fin sounds good but I do need (want) the GSM that is already buit in.

I've made a temporary replacement and a short M6 screw to see if it suitable - faces forward 45 degrees but roughly the same length.  Might play with a shorter rearward facing one later.

Aye, vxvv6 but if we were to stick to resonant lengths (why stop there, there are some efficient 5/8 & 7/8 loaded) we'd all be driving around with 24" stubbies and that's before swmbo has retuned for R5 (alas no dab!).

Still surprised no one else has this sorted already.

Coil Loading is the answer to that one I guess 

[Dave DND]

but I do need (want) the GSM that is already buit in.

You could always plug in an internal GSM aerial instead, they work very well

http://www.dndservices.co.uk/d015.html

[Lazydocker]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why don't you just reverse the car into the garage instead? 

I was about to post the same thing

[JohnM]

Well I've futher insight into this now.

Take as given that reversing into the garage isn't an option (just don't try this at home).

So I've tried my similar length plain stiff wire in place of the fitted aerial (but forward facing) and the results were pretty devastatingly poor, instantly noticible drop in reception - this will be pants on the move.  Did try for the heck of it a smaller rearward plain wire that ought to fit with the garage door closing - expectly worse.

Puka aerial on and all back to normal.

Must chase Maria from prodrive - looks the best option so far is this ball adapter.