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Old 03-11-2016, 08:22 PM   #1
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radio option in escape

Hi, for anyone who has the radio in their escape how is the reception? We are debating whether to get the radio offered or whether to get our own. Also, does the radio connect to the TV somehow to play DVD's put in the radio that will play on the TV. Thanks for all your help.
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Old 03-11-2016, 08:33 PM   #2
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We have the ETI Jensen radio, it's not bad for reception. Yes just ask to have a video out cable installed. This is a nice feature as you can watch movies and have the sound played over the stereo.

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Old 03-11-2016, 10:05 PM   #3
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We have the ETI Boss 6654B. FM reception was weak. I recently installed a $20 after market powered antenna (internal mount) that I picked up at my local auto parts store. This has helped quite a bit, but still doesn't seem to match the my truck or the family cars all the time. I will probably try another antenna when I get the chance. The Boss did come with a video plug out, but we haven't utilized it so far.
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Old 03-11-2016, 10:20 PM   #4
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Did you get extra insulation? Could Reflectix be blocking the signal?
My $29 Sony AM/FM gets good reception ( I didn't say it sounds great ), but I don't have insulation.
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Old 03-12-2016, 02:35 AM   #5
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We have the Boss radio and our reception at specific campsites is no where near as good as in our stick built trailer, but then the 12 inch rubber coated antenna on our Escape 21 is 1/3 the length as the 3 ft we previously had. I may have a better/longer antenna installed this spring. I'm hoping that will do it. And our current antenna is external so the Reflectix shouldn't be a factor.
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Old 03-12-2016, 03:04 AM   #6
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I don't know much about FM antennas, but the one I have for my home stereo is a piece of any old wire about 2' long. It's just jammed into a hole in the back of the audio system and works just fine.
That 12" rubber coated antenna probably has at least a couple feet of coiled wire inside and was actually designed for the purpose.
My understanding is that FM signals travel in a relatively straight line so if you are on the wrong side of a mountain reception suffers. AM signals bounce around, which is why I could sometimes listen to WLS Chicago with my crystal radio in Whitewood, Saskatchewan.
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Old 03-12-2016, 12:22 PM   #7
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Reflectix Blocking the Signal?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
Did you get extra insulation? Could Reflectix be blocking the signal?
My $29 Sony AM/FM gets good reception ( I didn't say it sounds great ), but I don't have insulation.
My guess is the Reflectix is at least part of the problem. Since I had only mounted the powered antenna with duct tape inside the cabinet next to the door, I have been moving it around, including outside. This powered indoor mount antenna likes being away from wall, me holding it, and being outside even better. Looks like I will keep looking for more solutions.

Here is a picture of the OEM antenna, all 7.5 inches long, mounted on the side of the trailer, forward of the door. Having replaced long metal antennas over the years in my daily driver, I am leary of mounting a heavy metal antenna on the side of the trailer. That's what my 03 truck camper has on its aluminum roof, and its reception seems okay.
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Old 03-12-2016, 12:37 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I don't know much about FM antennas, but the one I have for my home stereo is a piece of any old wire about 2' long. It's just jammed into a hole in the back of the audio system and works just fine.
That 12" rubber coated antenna probably has at least a couple feet of coiled wire inside and was actually designed for the purpose.
My understanding is that FM signals travel in a relatively straight line so if you are on the wrong side of a mountain reception suffers. AM signals bounce around, which is why I could sometimes listen to WLS Chicago with my crystal radio in Whitewood, Saskatchewan.
Same thing for our home stereo antenna in our 30+ year old system, except the wiring is probably 5 or 6 feet, made to be an FM antenna, and sits on top of the entertainment center. Works just fine. The boss likes the NPR classical station coming out of LA, 30 to 40 miles away with hills blocking line-of-site. reception.

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Old 03-12-2016, 01:08 PM   #9
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Transmitter is probably on top of one of those hills.
Transmitters here are on Mount Seymour.
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Old 03-12-2016, 01:35 PM   #10
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I have the extra insulation and have seen the foil in nooks and crannies in the trailer. I would like to install a radio at some point, but I was planning to use an internal antenna. Now I guess I won't, due to the insulation. I'm glad I read this thread.
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Old 03-12-2016, 01:38 PM   #11
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Mike,
I had good success with a window mounted antenna.....
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Old 03-12-2016, 02:47 PM   #12
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I read that for fibreglass installations you cannot just use a wire or car/truck antenna designed for metal surfaces. The difference is due to something like ground effect so fibreglass installations require a specific coil at the base for good reception. I was considering getting a Shakespeare 4350 AM/FM stereo antenna which also fold down for travel or for covering with a trailer cover, though its cable doesn't go through the base due to the joint. It looks good, has good reviews and is 3 ft long.

shakespeare 4350 antenna - Walmart.com
Reace said they could install it on the roof for about $45.

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Old 03-12-2016, 03:34 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Bobbito View Post
I read that for fibreglass installations you cannot just use a wire or car/truck antenna designed for metal surfaces. The difference is due to something like ground effect so fibreglass installations require a specific coil at the base for good reception.
Generally yes... or add a "ground plane" (area of metal, which can be foil, but should be connected to the ground side of the antenna connection) at the base.
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Old 03-12-2016, 04:00 PM   #14
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It depends on the Car/Truck antenna. There are some that are designed to work without a ground plane, at least on FM. I installed any amplified version of a no ground plane antenna on my trailer & it works great. Unfortunately, I didn't keep the model/brand info, but it was off the rack at a chain auto parts store.
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Old 03-12-2016, 06:48 PM   #15
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While it doesn't solve the antenna problem, I have the Jensen which is not Bluetooth capable. I purchased a Bluetooth module from Amazon and when the reveption is bad, I stream music from my iPhone.
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