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Nightmare signal strength in Central London

 
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MJF
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Joined: Jun 26, 2005
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:54 am    Post subject: Nightmare signal strength in Central London Reply with quote

I was in London yesterday, driving a Transit Van to Oxford Street. My Go Classic had no signal at all for most of the time along Piccadilly, Regent Street areas, in fact for anyway in heavily built up areas with high buildings.

I got lost and was late for the job I was doing.

My question is - Would an external antenna kit have helped or is this normal in central London?

Ususally reception in the van is OK. Although I've starting to think that the GO has had more problems getting a signal in recent weeks.

Any help appreciated

MJF
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sgould
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Joined: Oct 05, 2004
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Central London is a problem. I'm thinking of an antenna because of that. Unfortunately none available from TomTom at the moment.....

A couple of weeks ago I tried to use the GO in walking mode to make sure I found where I had parked my car. Walking along the footpath, there was no signal at all from where I had parked near Regents Park and Oxford Circus. It was useless.

I wish TT would make an aerial that hasn't any lead at all and just plugs into the back of the unit. Or even a powered aerial that is part of the unit. Most of us need a better signal because of external conditions rather than because of dodgy French windscreens.

Otherwise, if you see someone walking around London with metres of cable wrapped around them........ Rolling Eyes
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MJF
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 11:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a coincidence. I had to park a long way from where I was working. Same as you I tried to use the GO to get back to the van. Useless - the signal was worse on the pavement. I didn't fancy walking down the middle of the road :D

There are antenna kits for the classic on Ebay at the moment. £48 I think.
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sgould
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 12:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks! I'll have a trawl of ebay.
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ScaredyCat
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 12:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What about an 'Deeley Bopper' ariel Laughing

SC
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Kula
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Joined: Jun 14, 2004
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 12:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Give Inkino Ltd (Tel# 0207 631 4567) a try as they sell the External Antenna for both the GO Classic and GO300/500/700.

http://www.inkino.co.uk (They have a retail shop open 7 days a week).

I have shoped with them a number of times and have been pleased by their service. Smile
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oldbwl
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Nightmare signal strength in Central London Reply with quote

MJF wrote:
I was in London yesterday, driving a Transit Van to Oxford Street. My Go Classic had no signal at all for most of the time along Piccadilly, Regent Street areas, in fact for anyway in heavily built up areas with high buildings.

MJF


Near where I live there is an area where I do not get any GPS signal. Interestingly on a small handheld radio in the same area I can hear a significant amount of hum which drowns out the normal station broadcasts - but not on the car radio. I wonder if in the area you mention there is not just the difficulty of tall buildings but also a good amount of background radio noise sufficiently close to the GPS frequencies drowning out the GPS signal? - or is that complete and utter b***s?
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sgould
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 12:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmmmmm!

I was right next to Broadcasting House!
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MJF
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've bought an antenna from Ebay. £49.95. In case anyone's interested I'll report back on how I get on with it.
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mazza
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Joined: Jun 29, 2005
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Location: Wrexham, UK

PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've attached a 2m length of co-ax cable to a metal bin lid but it doesn't work for some reason... Wink
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sgould
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bin lid?

It's only coat hangers that work. I thought everyone knew that!! Wink

In fact I think I'll put a hole in the top of the GO and get it a direct connection. Why waste time with coax?
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mazza
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Location: Wrexham, UK

PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For best results, place your TTG to the outside of the roof of your vehicle (affix using blutak or similar very strong bonding material) ET VOILA!!

You don't know where the hell you're goin but you get f****** brilliant signal reception!
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