12 Volt FM Amplifier

[RichDem]

Does anyone know where I can pick up a 12 volt fm amplifier to boost the in coming FM signal to my TMC receiver?

Regards

Richard
_________________
If it ain't broke then fiddle with it until it is!

[vicky]

Halfords do an amplified antenna for £9.99 with a preamp in it, which be easily removed and used with a TMC unit.





Above is the antenna,

Below the Preamp unit removed from it to be wired into TMC

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/flashyphotos/ant2.JPG

Below - The Preamp unit added inline between standard car antenna and splitter for radion / tmc unit



Hope that helps.

[vicky]

Sorry, I forgot the image tags on the second picture! and as there is no edit feture, I have added it again below

Below - Preamp unit removed from Ant for install.

[swing]

Can you show exactly how it's wired up, as it's not clear from the photos exactly what you've done to connect it all together...

[vicky]

Hi

Its all sealed up behind the dash now

But basically

You crack open the antenna and remove the PCB.

The PCB Has the following Wires,

Red +12v
Black - Antenna Core
Braid - Antenna Ground

Red Goes to a +12v source (I spliced it into my radios power supply lead)

Black goes to the core of your antenna and the TMC unit antenna (Depends on the TMC you are using). if its the Garmin one you would connect it to long black antenna cord, if its the TomTom one you connect it to the pad furthest from the wires on the PCB.. There is a thread in the TomTom Go section that details this in much greater detail.

The Braid goes to the antenna screen

Then if you are connecting the TMC and your car raidio you just need an antenna splitter to split the signal

Have a look at this thread

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=50386

There is a lot of info there buried in the long thread.

And This may also help

http://www.pocketgpspoi.com/downloads/How_To_Modify_Your_TomTom_TMC_Receiver.pdf

[philpugh]

vicky,

Do you have a part number for the Halfords antenna pls?
_________________
Phil

[mikealder]

Phil, Have a look at This page which contains additional pictures and the part number - Mike

[mwfox]

If you like soldering electronic kits you can get a 12V FM amplifier kit from http://www.rapidonline.com/ code 70-4092. Comes with a metal case.

[philpugh]

I have two options as see it.

I can tap into the existing car aerial, which being a VW already has a booster amplifier in it. I'm used to fiddling with these (long time VW owner) but I liked the look of the separate Hafords antenna as a dedicated unit - probably easier to wire in as I already have quite a bit of stuff tucked in behind the radio!

However the item number in the pictures (thanks mikealder) doesn't reveal any results on the Halford's web site.
_________________
Phil

[mikealder]

The Hafords web site does leave a little to be desired! - if you go to the store then look for the section for Radios/ CD's etc (well you can often hear where it is from the door) these aerials can be found on the shelf. Its actual label is:

"halfords Electronic Glass Mount"
* Suitable for most cars
* Self Adhesive mount
* 2500mm Cable
* Signal amplifier

I think its only the amplifier part that viky actually used with the input fed from the existing car aerial (which will be considerably better than the halfords unit) - I use an amplified external aerial to great effect with my RDS unit - Mike

[DRP]

Hi all
Have a look at my posts on 5xx. I may be talking a load of bull but it dose
work with CB’s
Regards
DRP
_________________
Sharing information is the key to a better understanding

Mio M400 WEU, N60I, T1, 2x B2, iCN 510 & lots more

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