NBR - Aerial Reception

[Gazz]

The wind snapped the rusty aerial off my car. Where it had broken, I had to buy a new base for it as well as the long bit.

As a result the radio was poor and would jump from station to station (finding which reception was best).

After fitting the new aerial, the reception is still the same as when the there was no aerial on it.

The new one was a direct replacement using the existing wires that was on the original, but was an aftermarket one.

Any way of improving the signal?

[doggone]

Is it possible there was an extra earth cable underneath that fell off?
Most designs must be grounded to the vehicle.
Often a good place to mount it of the way is not well earthed and needs extra cable.

[Gazz]

Now that you mention it, there was a tiny bit of wire coming from the original but I don't know how you would be able to attach it to the new base.

[doggone]

Usually it's supposed to dig in enough as you tighten it up, you could slacken it off and wrap some copper wire round

[bamt]

But check the wire before shorting it to ground; it is possible (if it is coming from the car loom) that it is 12V for a mast base amplifier rather than a ground wire.