editor58

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Hi All:

I just finished an experiment MOD on the "EDDY" approved Antenna mod. I duplicated his Antenna build. I tried the single coil soldered at the top only... and had about 80' of range. Unacceptable to my previous results. (You can go back to my build earlier in this thread)

I think that slight variations account for subtle differences in the results. I re-soldered my twin pair coil to what I had before. My setup is the 2 parallel 20 gage Solid Copper coils and about 34cm length. Yielding about 250' range (according to a laser tape measure -if that's accurate :biglaugh: )

I think the bottom line here is there are two actively working methods, BOTH achieve similar results. My vehicle is a 2008. Have there been any changes between the model years? Who the hell knows... probably not, maybe yes!

My suggestion to anyone doing this is MOD is as follows:

Take in all of our experiments. You know what will NOT work, and you know what will.

Don't finalize the cap until you have tested it on your particular vehicle.

Be VERY careful soldering- Plastic Melts EASY!!

Don't get frustrated- Take your time and document your results to find the optimum solution for your vehicle.

Enjoy your finished results and accomplishment.

The Project is EASY about a 2 on a scale of 1-5. It should take you an hour and in the end, it's most of our opinions that you will have a very usable solution to an ugly Mercedes Design flaw.


-editor

Here's one Mod beaten to death!

-1-

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Not beaten to death, optimized through trial and error and perfected. Editor, thanks for your input.

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----------------1-----------------
--------SLK 55 ///AMG---------
THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

editor58

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Yep... we really know how to optimize!!

I can't wait until our next mod!

BTW... anyone know how to get the British Babe on the 2008 Nav??
A step by step would be appreciated.

Also... when I loose service on the phone... the center mini display says not booked. the little meter on the nav screen says no service... just an observation.

-editor

DansSlk

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haha,

The British babe is actually a German (Sabine something) and I'm not sure if its possible on your headunit because its post engineering menu, the dealer might be able to change it to UK but i doubt it.

Thanks for all the antenna work guys I'm just quietly taking note of it all.

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noregret4life

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Just finished redoing the mod R170.

Had only 20AWG wire at the local Home Depot.
2 Fresh Duracell Batteries = $4.20 (tax included)
Original Black Key.

So here are the results:

Street test on driveway
20 AWG Solid per
37cm long
No shrink tubing used
Coil starts at tip just like Eddy's

Distance = 250ft.
Radio Quality = 100% in NJ/NYC area / equal to or greater than original Whip.

All stations are clear, no problems with the entire scale. 87.7 FM is a local Russian radio station that would never come in clear if at all. After the mod it's perfect.

Thanks to all who contributed.

etyu

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Thank you Lenny. I gotta give this a shot on the weekend.

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Eddy

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Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package
Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, (
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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.

Tslick

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What gives... A lot of EU R170 folks don't show antenna's on their cars...

Ikarus

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Well, this one might not have an antenna stub, but it has that wart on the trunk.

I like how this is turning in some sort of inverse "mine is bigger than yours" contest.

Tslick

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The wart is for Tel-Aid. If you check out mbslk.de R170 gallery, most do not have antenna's but have radios. Curious.

noregret4life

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Could it be multifunction?

I have seen the "fin" type aka "wart" that have both AM/FM - Cell - GPS all in one...

I guess it depends on the connections running to it and to the splitter.

Tslick

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I doubt it, I'm waiting for the EU folks to chime in. There's a lot of cars without a aerial blemish (hole) in the rear fender(s). The photo I showed was from the "designo" section so I assume the car was not (re)painted.

There's other cars without the aerial and without the TEL-AID antenna shown in the gallery.

Gabus

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Why do we need a hole in the car?

A stock 170 has the radio antenna in the rear bumper with an amp. under the left rear fender.

The whip is normally for for the cell phone , and the "wart" is for the GPS.

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98indypacer

I just did the mod tonight.
Works great!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to all that contributed.

Ynot

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Nice to hear from you again.

Still haven't done the mod, might be going to home depot this weekend to pick up some wire.

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06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR.


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etyu

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Today I tried Lenny's set-up with AWG20 solid tinned copper wire, 37 cm-long, monopole configutration. (Bought the wire from Fry's Electronics)

See photos below:



Close-up of soldered junction:



There's a noticeable improvement with the AWG 20 versus the AWG 22 wire, namely:

1. SmartKey range is 317 feet, up from 280 feet.
2. FM stations are definitely better.

Shrink wrap is not needed for either AWG22 or AWG 20 as the wire is stiffer than the smaller gauge wires and holds its shape well.

I also bought AWG 18 wire but 37 cm is too long and it's hard to wind the wire into a thin taper and it won't fit inside the antenna cap without shortening the wire. I think we've optimized this mod.

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Eddy

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Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package
Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, (
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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.

noregret4life

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Well done!

And i must say your soldering skills are amazing!

etyu

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Thanks Lenny.

I followed the instructions on this site for soldering: http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm

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Eddy

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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.

dsb

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