FM Radio aerial position

[Bandos]

Hi there, On a ducato/Boxer MH, is there a optimum angle for an aerial to be at. My instincts says it should be as near vertical as possible but I recall being told that it should follow the angle of the roof above the cab. There must be a technical reason for"its" attitude. Anyone know the answer.

 

[Jabstatt]

The FM signal is cross polarised so it is happy vertical or horizontal. 45 degrees ideally.

Tony.

 

[Bandos]

The FM signal is cross polarised so it is happy vertical or horizontal. 45 degrees ideally.

Tony.

Hi Tony, Does the metal roof act as a ground plain?

 

[Jabstatt]

Hi,
Yes, to a large extent. RF is quite a mystery!

It’s complex when the surfaces are curved and neither horizontal or vertical

I’ve gone for DAB and a powered antenna stuck inside the windshield



Tony.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

I’ve gone for DAB and a powered antenna stuck inside the windshield

Me too and get pretty good results generally on DAB, but does depend on signal strength still.
Definitely better than an RF aerial though.

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[Bandos]

Yes I think DAB is the way to go. RF has always been a fascination off mine as it appears that no one really knows whats actually happening. I had a friend who worked in the radio industry who once said that they know what works best and what doesn't work very well, but why that is ..... that's a mystery.

There must be some clever bod out there who could fathom it out!