How to strengthen signal with the R170 Antenna - Page 12

**dsb** · 02-19-2008

Just get insulated wire. Like Zeiser said, in essence, you have created a copper pipe. Off to the electronics store again!

**ghostdunks** · 02-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by -1-

I took a pair of pliers, gave it a gentle squeeze, and the reception returned to the same level as mine.

Yeah I saw in one of your previous posts that you had that issue with your wife's modded antenna and I tried that as well, no difference on mine unfortunately.

Thanks for the tips, Z. I'll try that out, that sounds like a reasonable explanation

Cannot get any plastic(PVC) coated solid copper AWG20 wire here in Australia no matter how hard I've looked...gone through all the electronics stores, online, etc....

And the reason why I can't seem to solder to the base metal piece is that the solder doesn't seem to want to "stick" to the metal, not really the enamelling on the wire. I might try getting some sandpaper and sandpapering the base metal piece so that the solder will actually solder to it.

**etyu** · 02-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostdunks

...Thanks for the tips, Z. I'll try that out, that sounds like a reasonable explanation

Cannot get any plastic(PVC) coated solid copper AWG20 wire here in Australia no matter how hard I've looked...gone through all the electronics stores, online, etc...

Isn't there an equivalent store like Radio Shack in Australia? How about Home Depot? Ace Hardware?

**ghostdunks** · 02-20-2008

We do have a similar store to Radio Shack, even right down to the branding, etc.. We call it Tandy Electronics here, and it was taken over by **** Smith Electronics or something or other.. Have other electronics stores as well, specialist ones and I've been going through their catalogues and calling them up, and none of them seem to stock it. We just don't seem to have the range of stuff you guys have over in the states. I loved Fry's when I was over there

Kinda strange... I know we live in the a$$ end of the world, and its a much smaller market, but still...

Update on my antenna troubles. I tried the suggestions and tried just some thin insulated stranded wire I had lying around... 2 37cm lengths coiled, and soldered to the tip. Haven't been able to do a full test with regards to range of the remote(but its ok I think, nothing spectacular), the FM reception is better than the stock R170, but still not as good as the R171 reception. So, its improving at least.

My kingdom for some 20AWG insulated solid copper wire!

**etyu** · 02-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostdunks

My kingdom for some 20AWG insulated solid copper wire!

PM sent. There is a way.

**ghostdunks** · 04-01-2008

Well, thanks to Eddy, I suddenly came into possession of a length of 20AWG insulated solid copper wire

Very much appreciated Eddy!

Redid my mod(37cm monopole configuration) with the new wire, and the smartkey range is a bit better than my last effort. Both the FM reception and the smartkey range is still not as good as the stock antenna, but the smartkey range is good enough for me, which is the main thing since I usually just have the ipod on anyway. Its really easy for me to test the FM reception because in my apartment garage, the FM reception with the stock antenna is just about acceptable, so any degradation or improvement in the reception is immediately noticeable. the moment I put the mod antenna on, the FM reception goes from acceptable to pretty much static...but when I'm driving outside the garage, the reception is good enough for clear listening.

The look is so much better than the whip that the slight decrease in range and FM reception is more than worth it. Thanks everyone who contributed to all the tests and experiments on this mod!

YellowSLK230K · 04-24-2008

I just found this site via a Benzworld forum post. I note that there is a lot of discussion of shorty antenna for the R171, but nothing on the R170 portion of this forum. Can anyone tell me if the mods you discuss here will work for an R170?

Thanks in advance for any help!

**etyu** · 04-24-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowSLK230K

I just found this site via a Benzworld forum post. I note that there is a lot of discussion of shorty antenna for the R171, but nothing on the R170 portion of this forum. Can anyone tell me if the mods you discuss here will work for an R170?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Post #38 in this thread, SLKman had good results (FM reception) on the R170 using the SL antenna. I believe the results will be even better with the Euro spec R170 antenna.

YellowSLK230K · 04-24-2008

Thanks for the quick response. I'll check with my MB dealer on the availabilty of the R170 antenna 170-820-06-75.

This is one of the best discussions on a SLK modification I have ever encountered. Thanks to everyone who contributed so much knowledge and advise!!

**kungfudevil** · 04-25-2008

I got lost in this thread..........too technical. Real quick what is the best way to mod the R170 antenna for optimum performance? (I'm too lazy to skim the whole thread)

**etyu** · 04-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kungfudevil

I got lost in this thread..........too technical. Real quick what is the best way to mod the R170 antenna for optimum performance? (I'm too lazy to skim the whole thread)

Read post #175, page 9, with pix. AWG 20 insulated solid copper wire, 37 cm, monopole configuration.

I thought this thread would be an interesting read as to how it evolved, determining the length of wire, then to the thickness of the wire, and testing the range of the SmartKey. Truly an international effort.

YellowSLK230K · 04-25-2008

Now I've done it! I went to remove the upper portion of the antenna from the base but the portion attached to the antenna cable came loose not the antenna. I carefully put a small vise grip around the casing and was able to unthread the antenna. See attached pictures. The first picture show the piece fully extended, the second pushed down but not properly secured. Now I don't know if it should be threaded back in or just pressed in place. (Just because I "unscrewed" it to get it in this position doesn't mean I feel comfortable trying to screw it back in!) I opened up the lower rear trim panel in the trunk and felt around but really couldn't tell anything from that. I would like to avoid having to remove the entire trunk lining if possible.....Help!

**SLKCop** · 04-25-2008

Well, after reading just about every post in this thread, I'm beginning to wonder about my own car's antenna. I've got a 2002 SLK230, but there's a LOONNNGG antenna installed. It's probably about 14-18 or so inches long and has the wire coiling/wrapping around [as someone mentioned in the posts about it being for aerodynamics purposes]. From reading the posts here, am I correct in believing that this is a R171 antenna? Maybe someone put this antenna on here before I purchased the vehicle??

I've also heard that the R170 vehicle's have the radio antenna in the trunk and so the external antenna is solely for telephone reception? Am I getting this wrong?

I'd like to have the smaller R170 antenna, not the SL antenna, but where would I get one except the dealership?

Thanks all!

Mike

**etyu** · 04-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowSLK230K

Now I've done it! I went to remove the upper portion of the antenna from the base but the portion attached to the antenna cable came loose not the antenna. I carefully put a small vise grip around the casing and was able to unthread the antenna. See attached pictures. The first picture show the piece fully extended, the second pushed down but not properly secured. Now I don't know if it should be threaded back in or just pressed in place. (Just because I "unscrewed" it to get it in this position doesn't mean I feel comfortable trying to screw it back in!) I opened up the lower rear trim panel in the trunk and felt around but really couldn't tell anything from that. I would like to avoid having to remove the entire trunk lining if possible.....Help!

We'll need help from the R170 owners.

You may be able to gently screw this thing in if it engages by hand and then tighten after you know it is well engaged. You didn't hear anything fall did you? like something fell into the rear quater panel (which might mean the backing plate fell off?) This is all just a guess.

YellowSLK230K · 04-25-2008

Well I screwed up my courage and followed your advice so gentley scew the base back into place. After all it came out that way so it makes sense to do the same in reverse. There was definitely no nut on the bottom to deal with. The antenna base is now screwed back in place and all appears to be well. I just ordered the R170 shorty antenna from my MB dealer for just under $85.00 less my 10% Mercedes Benz Club of America discount. I check on getting paint for the antenna from the local auto paint stores. They mix up a minimum of 6 spray cans at a cost of $120 total. Anyone else need Sunburst Yellow #685?

Once again thanks for all the great advice.

**etyu** · 04-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowSLK230K

... The antenna base is now screwed back in place and all appears to be well. ...

Glad to hear.

ericmb · 04-30-2008

Thanks to all the contributors of this amazing thread.
I noticed most of the talk has shifted to the R170 antenna.
Is there a limitation for the length/diamter of the added wire on R230 antenna? Or can the same 37 cm/AWG20(optimal dimentions) be used for the SL antenna without a concern for fitting?
Cheers,
Eric

**etyu** · 04-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericmb

Thanks to all the contributors of this amazing thread.
I noticed most of the talk has shifted to the R170 antenna.
Is there a limitation for the length/diamter of the added wire on R230 antenna? Or can the same 37 cm/AWG20(optimal dimentions) be used for the SL antenna without a concern for fitting?
Cheers,
Eric

Post #114 (with pix), page 6, on this thread, on the R230 antenna, using AWG 26.

You may be able to use AWG 24, and this may be pushing it as it is difficult to wind 37cm in that small space. AWG 20 will be too thick and won't fit.

02-19-2008	#221 (permalink)
dsb Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: '06 slk55 Posts: 1,176 Country: Thanks: 67 Thanked 120 Times in 42 Posts	Just get insulated wire. Like Zeiser said, in essence, you have created a copper pipe. Off to the electronics store again! __________________ SOLD! 06 Mercedes Benz SLK55 Caspian Blue / Black & Ash *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

04-24-2008	#227 (permalink)
YellowSLK230K SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Seattle Washington Vehicle: 2003 SLK 230 Posts: 6 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Antenna I just found this site via a Benzworld forum post. I note that there is a lot of discussion of shorty antenna for the R171, but nothing on the R170 portion of this forum. Can anyone tell me if the mods you discuss here will work for an R170? Thanks in advance for any help!

04-24-2008	#229 (permalink)
YellowSLK230K SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Seattle Washington Vehicle: 2003 SLK 230 Posts: 6 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Antenna Thanks for the quick response. I'll check with my MB dealer on the availabilty of the R170 antenna 170-820-06-75. This is one of the best discussions on a SLK modification I have ever encountered. Thanks to everyone who contributed so much knowledge and advise!!

04-25-2008	#230 (permalink)
kungfudevil Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA Vehicle: '06 SLK55 Posts: 108 Country: Thanks: 4 Thanked 11 Times in 3 Posts	I got lost in this thread..........too technical. Real quick what is the best way to mod the R170 antenna for optimum performance? (I'm too lazy to skim the whole thread) __________________ .........lost.........

04-25-2008	#235 (permalink)
YellowSLK230K SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Seattle Washington Vehicle: 2003 SLK 230 Posts: 6 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Antenna Well I screwed up my courage and followed your advice so gentley scew the base back into place. After all it came out that way so it makes sense to do the same in reverse. There was definitely no nut on the bottom to deal with. The antenna base is now screwed back in place and all appears to be well. I just ordered the R170 shorty antenna from my MB dealer for just under $85.00 less my 10% Mercedes Benz Club of America discount. I check on getting paint for the antenna from the local auto paint stores. They mix up a minimum of 6 spray cans at a cost of $120 total. Anyone else need Sunburst Yellow #685? Once again thanks for all the great advice.

02-20-2008	#224 (permalink)
ghostdunks Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Vehicle: SLK280 Posts: 211 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	We do have a similar store to Radio Shack, even right down to the branding, etc.. We call it Tandy Electronics here, and it was taken over by **** Smith Electronics or something or other.. Have other electronics stores as well, specialist ones and I've been going through their catalogues and calling them up, and none of them seem to stock it. We just don't seem to have the range of stuff you guys have over in the states. I loved Fry's when I was over there Kinda strange... I know we live in the a$$ end of the world, and its a much smaller market, but still... Update on my antenna troubles. I tried the suggestions and tried just some thin insulated stranded wire I had lying around... 2 37cm lengths coiled, and soldered to the tip. Haven't been able to do a full test with regards to range of the remote(but its ok I think, nothing spectacular), the FM reception is better than the stock R170, but still not as good as the R171 reception. So, its improving at least. My kingdom for some 20AWG insulated solid copper wire!

04-01-2008	#226 (permalink)
ghostdunks Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Vehicle: SLK280 Posts: 211 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Well, thanks to Eddy, I suddenly came into possession of a length of 20AWG insulated solid copper wire Very much appreciated Eddy! Redid my mod(37cm monopole configuration) with the new wire, and the smartkey range is a bit better than my last effort. Both the FM reception and the smartkey range is still not as good as the stock antenna, but the smartkey range is good enough for me, which is the main thing since I usually just have the ipod on anyway. Its really easy for me to test the FM reception because in my apartment garage, the FM reception with the stock antenna is just about acceptable, so any degradation or improvement in the reception is immediately noticeable. the moment I put the mod antenna on, the FM reception goes from acceptable to pretty much static...but when I'm driving outside the garage, the reception is good enough for clear listening. The look is so much better than the whip that the slight decrease in range and FM reception is more than worth it. Thanks everyone who contributed to all the tests and experiments on this mod!

04-25-2008	#233 (permalink)
SLKCop Click it or Ticket! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burleson, Texas Vehicle: Black/Black 2002 SLK-230 Kompressor [6MT] Other Toys: 2007 Toyota Tundra Posts: 363 Country: Thanks: 81 Thanked 101 Times in 56 Posts	Well, after reading just about every post in this thread, I'm beginning to wonder about my own car's antenna. I've got a 2002 SLK230, but there's a LOONNNGG antenna installed. It's probably about 14-18 or so inches long and has the wire coiling/wrapping around [as someone mentioned in the posts about it being for aerodynamics purposes]. From reading the posts here, am I correct in believing that this is a R171 antenna? Maybe someone put this antenna on here before I purchased the vehicle?? I've also heard that the R170 vehicle's have the radio antenna in the trunk and so the external antenna is solely for telephone reception? Am I getting this wrong? I'd like to have the smaller R170 antenna, not the SL antenna, but where would I get one except the dealership? Thanks all! Mike

04-30-2008	#237 (permalink)
ericmb SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 9 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks to all the contributors of this amazing thread. I noticed most of the talk has shifted to the R170 antenna. Is there a limitation for the length/diamter of the added wire on R230 antenna? Or can the same 37 cm/AWG20(optimal dimentions) be used for the SL antenna without a concern for fitting? Cheers, Eric