How to strengthen signal with the R170 Antenna - Page 6

zxxn · 12-11-2007

So, wavelength for 315Mhz is around 95cm. Antenna length for remote is 23.75cm and 38cm for FM radio....

**Zeiser50** · 12-11-2007

Quote:

probably 315mHz in North America; 433.92 mHz in Europe.

This may be the reason why the SL antenna is pink for me and blue for you : the internal adaptation is different ?
Dan, do you know if P/N is the same (for US and Europe ) ?

**Zeiser50** · 12-11-2007

My next mission will be .....
..... to understand why my wife is attracted by shops ........ Just kidding !

**-1-** · 12-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxxn

I just checked this morning and found FM reception is very good!

But, no improvement on remote.

I really like to know -1-'s magic length.

Just to verify what I previously stated, I stepped off 200 feet this afternoon. The other two tries at 200 feet were with the car in the garage. I was in the woods next to my house. If you look closely, you can see the small Firemist red spot, my SLK at 200 feet. Three click on the key fob and the top retracted. Can't explain the great reception.

Sid · 12-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by -1-

Just to verify what I previously stated, I stepped off 200 feet this afternoon. The other two tries at 200 feet were with the car in the garage. I was in the woods next to my house. If you look closely, you can see the small Firemist red spot, my SLK at 200 feet. Three click on the key fob and the top retracted. Can't explain the great reception.

Where's Waldo?

Goldfish11 · 12-12-2007

I have just got my electical tester out and zxxn is absolutly right. A and B are conected.

So if you have two wires of 15inch attached to different bits (A and B) does this not make an antena of 30inches so this is the same as one 30inch wire?

Or is my physics wrong.

Ikarus · 12-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldfish11

I have just got my electical tester out and zxxn is absolutly right. A and B are conected.

I have been wondering about this myself (haven't had time for doing the mod yet). Does your tester make a difference between 0 Ohm and 75 Ohm? If not, it might just say 'connected', when there's really just low impedance.

**etyu** · 12-12-2007

If one uses the OEM R171 whip antenna as a guide, it is roughly 40cm.

I will revise my mod on the R170 and R230 antennae tomorrow using only one insulated wire soldered to the end of the wire that has the clear insulation around it (most likely use 35cm).

**richard_leeds** · 12-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

If one uses the OEM R171 whip antenna as a guide, it is roughly 40cm.

There is also that cable spirally up the outside of the OEM whip. Being a spiral will be longer.

... or is it not electrical but for vortex shedding (aerodynamics) ???

**etyu** · 12-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard_leeds

There is also that cable spirally up the outside of the OEM whip. Being a spiral will be longer.

... or is it not electrical but for vortex shedding (aerodynamics) ???

I read somewhere (IIRC, VW ad) that the spiral is exactly for that, aerodynamics (vortex shedding) and reduces wind noise caused by the antenna.

**dsb** · 12-12-2007

Man, I applaud you guys. Lots of research and it's getting quite complex. Now, don't make this your day job.

DansSlk · 12-12-2007

Not sure about the SL ant PN#'s i will check.

For the whip the spiral is for aerodynamics, I've seen one peeled back and the ant goes vertical.

Ikarus · 12-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikarus

I have been wondering about this myself (haven't had time for doing the mod yet). Does your tester make a difference between 0 Ohm and 75 Ohm? If not, it might just say 'connected', when there's really just low impedance.

Ok, I checked it, A and B are connected. Zero impedance. This makes the R170 antenna a monopole rather than a dipole, with the car body acting as ground. This suggests that it really shouldn't matter whether there is one or two wires soldered to it for extension. A quarter of the wavelength (75cm) still looks like the natural choice for optimized FM reception.

**etyu** · 12-13-2007

From Michel's (Zeiser50) post about the 35cm wire-length and Ikarus' post on the antenna being a monopole, I've finalized my configuration on the R170 and R230 antennae. I used 35cm AWG26 insulated wire, wound and held firm by heat-shrink tubes from RadioShack. See photos below:

R170 antenna:

R230 antenna:

**etyu** · 12-13-2007

Below is a photo of the range of the SmartKey after final modifications to the R230 antenna (2-car garage door opening is 16 ft, overall length of R171 is 13 ft), from where the photo was shot is about 100ft and SmartKey works at this distance and angle, but not farther :

The range of the SmartKey/remote key from different directions in relation to the antenna may be longer or shorter as shown below in the range plot from Wikipedia:

Addendum: I had the day off and was quite curious to see what the antenna mods would do. Mate just shakes her head, I know what she's thinking: OCB

**-1-** · 12-13-2007

Good job, very professional. One hundred feet is more than acceptable. The painted SL antenna is the best looking available and with the extended range, it's tough to beat. I plan to keep my R170 as I'm content with the look and superior range.

noregret4life · 12-13-2007

I'm getting about 75ft on the double wire configuration on the R170.
1 wire off the metal base, 1 off the clear coated wire in the middle.
Each is 37mm long, spiral, without covering one another.
Wire is a solid copper, similar to ones used for telephone wiring.

etyu, you seemed to have perfected the R230. Well done.
-1-, your results are amazing on the range. Any tips?

I think i need to get a thicker awg wire, and lose the double wire configuration.

**-1-** · 12-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by noregret4life

I'm getting about 75ft on the double wire configuration on the R170.
1 wire off the metal base, 1 off the clear coated wire in the middle.
Each is 37mm long, spiral, without covering one another.
Wire is a solid copper, similar to ones used for telephone wiring.

etyu, you seemed to have perfected the R230. Well done.
-1-, your results are amazing on the range. Any tips?

I think i need to get a thicker awg wire, and lose the double wire configuration.

Other than following DSBs guide, I don't have a clue.

12-11-2007	#103 (permalink)
Zeiser50 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Other Toys: Bike : '84 Z1300-6 Posts: 506 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	My next mission will be ..... ..... to understand why my wife is attracted by shops ........ Just kidding ! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ------Michel------ -SLK 55 AMG 2005-

12-12-2007	#108 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	If one uses the OEM R171 whip antenna as a guide, it is roughly 40cm. I will revise my mod on the R170 and R230 antennae tomorrow using only one insulated wire soldered to the end of the wire that has the clear insulation around it (most likely use 35cm). __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

12-12-2007	#111 (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	Man, I applaud you guys. Lots of research and it's getting quite complex. Now, don't make this your day job. __________________ 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.*

12-12-2007	#112 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Not sure about the SL ant PN#'s i will check. For the whip the spiral is for aerodynamics, I've seen one peeled back and the ant goes vertical. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

12-13-2007	#114 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	My final configuration From Michel's (Zeiser50) post about the 35cm wire-length and Ikarus' post on the antenna being a monopole, I've finalized my configuration on the R170 and R230 antennae. I used 35cm AWG26 insulated wire, wound and held firm by heat-shrink tubes from RadioShack. See photos below: R170 antenna: R230 antenna: __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

12-11-2007	#101 (permalink)
zxxn SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 54 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So, wavelength for 315Mhz is around 95cm. Antenna length for remote is 23.75cm and 38cm for FM radio....

12-12-2007	#106 (permalink)
Goldfish11 SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Vehicle: SLK200 2007 model year. Posts: 8 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have just got my electical tester out and zxxn is absolutly right. A and B are conected. So if you have two wires of 15inch attached to different bits (A and B) does this not make an antena of 30inches so this is the same as one 30inch wire? Or is my physics wrong.

12-13-2007	#115 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	SmartKey Range is better (R230 antenna) Below is a photo of the range of the SmartKey after final modifications to the R230 antenna (2-car garage door opening is 16 ft, overall length of R171 is 13 ft), from where the photo was shot is about 100ft and SmartKey works at this distance and angle, but not farther : The range of the SmartKey/remote key from different directions in relation to the antenna may be longer or shorter as shown below in the range plot from Wikipedia: Addendum: I had the day off and was quite curious to see what the antenna mods would do. Mate just shakes her head, I know what she's thinking: OCB __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

12-13-2007	#116 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,224 Country: Thanks: 54 Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts	Good job, very professional. One hundred feet is more than acceptable. The painted SL antenna is the best looking available and with the extended range, it's tough to beat. I plan to keep my R170 as I'm content with the look and superior range. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

12-13-2007	#117 (permalink)
noregret4life Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Vehicle: '05 SLK350 Posts: 1,092 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 17 Times in 11 Posts	I'm getting about 75ft on the double wire configuration on the R170. 1 wire off the metal base, 1 off the clear coated wire in the middle. Each is 37mm long, spiral, without covering one another. Wire is a solid copper, similar to ones used for telephone wiring. etyu, you seemed to have perfected the R230. Well done. -1-, your results are amazing on the range. Any tips? I think i need to get a thicker awg wire, and lose the double wire configuration.