Does anyone know what type of GPS antenna's these units use?
I have an Xtrons PX5 Oreo head unit, but I'm having difficulty positioning the GPS antenna in a good location, due to lack of space under the dashboard.
I'd like to buy another antenna, to take apart and get rid of the plastic cover, in the hope that it will be a bit smaller and I can squeeze it under the dash
However I'm not sure if all antennas that I can buy are the same.
The socket type on the back of the Xtrons unit appears to be a type called FAKRA, and the antenna that came with the unit has a right angle connector.
I can find loads of similar looking antennas on eBay and AliExpress etc, with FAKRA plugs, but most of them are straight (so I'll need to check if a longer plug would be a problem.)
But apart from that... Does anyone know if there is anything specific I need to look out for when buying another GPS antenna ?
Some antennas say they are "Active" and are powered by between 3 and 5V, but I presume they are all like this ?
Also, I've seen splitter cables, which would suggest that I could install more than one GPS antenna, but I'm not really sure if thats possible either ??
Thanks
RogerClark said:
Does anyone know what type of GPS antenna's these units use?
I have an Xtrons PX5 Oreo head unit, but I'm having difficulty positioning the GPS antenna in a good location, due to lack of space under the dashboard.
I'd like to buy another antenna, to take apart and get rid of the plastic cover, in the hope that it will be a bit smaller and I can squeeze it under the dash
However I'm not sure if all antennas that I can buy are the same.
The socket type on the back of the Xtrons unit appears to be a type called FAKRA, and the antenna that came with the unit has a right angle connector.
I can find loads of similar looking antennas on eBay and AliExpress etc, with FAKRA plugs, but most of them are straight (so I'll need to check if a longer plug would be a problem.)
But apart from that... Does anyone know if there is anything specific I need to look out for when buying another GPS antenna ?
Some antennas say they are "Active" and are powered by between 3 and 5V, but I presume they are all like this ?
Also, I've seen splitter cables, which would suggest that I could install more than one GPS antenna, but I'm not really sure if thats possible either ??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What for a car do you have? (brand & model)
Xtrons TE706PL. It has a FAKRA connector on the back.
Since I posted, I've ordered a generic GPS antenna from AliExpress which has a FAKRA connector on it, (for less than $10)...
So I'll see if that works.
What I don't know however if these antennas are Passive or Active. I presume they are mostly Active, where between 3 and 5 volts is supplied to the antenna, via the same cable (coax) where the signals are sent into the unit (capacitive coupling)
As GPS signals are at 1500Mhz, the loss on thin coax is extreme, so I'd be surprised if any of these antennas, which come with several metres of coax, are passive.
(But I could be wrong.. In which case I'll probably also try to shorten the coax to just the length I need, as that will also improve GPS reception)
RogerClark said:
What I don't know however if these antennas are Passive or Active. I presume they are mostly Active, where between 3 and 5 volts is supplied to the antenna, via the same cable (coax) where the signals are sent into the unit (capacitive coupling)
Click to expand...
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What was your determination on this. Does the radio use an active antenna or passive?
btw, its an active antenna. I bought a replacement antenna from anywhere they sell active gps antennas.
Related
Having a hard time getting a good wifi signal. Anyone have any tips, suggestions, or ways to extend the wifi antenna?
I know someone wired it to a SMA port on the back with a normally stubby wifi antenna back there.
I toyed with this idea and was tempted to solder in the BNC jack/antenna off the spare router that I keep around just in case but eventually had to scrap it due to the limited RE in the dashboard cavity behind the HU. I used a slightly different approach which has proven to be just as effective: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=67394021&postcount=2
I did it here on my old Android 4 unit:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...rk3188-rk3066-2-din-head-units-t3193170/page2
And i did the same thing on my Android 5.5.1 unit as well.
What I do is cut off the end of the cable they provide. All the provide is a simple antenna made from cutting the coax back a bit to expose some center conductor, and the put some heat shrink on it.
I cut that off, and actually crimp on a proper rp-sma jack and mount it to the case. It's not difficult, but I am a ham radio operator, and have the correct crimping tools and experience doing it.
I do it on mine because I actually have a wifi antenna externally mounted on my jeep, and I need the rp-sma jack to connect to the coax from that outside antenna.
On the new Android 5.5.1 unit, it has TWO wifi antennas, I guess for diversity reception which can sometimes help the signals. But what I did was leave with the short stock antenna, and only put the connector on the other which goes to the external antenna. So now I sort of have one internal antenna, and one external.
nixfu said:
I did it here on my old Android 4 unit:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...rk3188-rk3066-2-din-head-units-t3193170/page2
And i did the same thing on my Android 5.5.1 unit as well.
What I do is cut off the end of the cable they provide. All the provide is a simple antenna made from cutting the coax back a bit to expose some center conductor, and the put some heat shrink on it.
I cut that off, and actually crimp on a proper rp-sma jack and mount it to the case. It's not difficult, but I am a ham radio operator, and have the correct crimping tools and experience doing it.
I do it on mine because I actually have a wifi antenna externally mounted on my jeep, and I need the rp-sma jack to connect to the coax from that outside antenna.
On the new Android 5.5.1 unit, it has TWO wifi antennas, I guess for diversity reception which can sometimes help the signals. But what I did was leave with the short stock antenna, and only put the connector on the other which goes to the external antenna. So now I sort of have one internal antenna, and one external.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in that post, you linked to an external antenna on ebay. did you end up buying that and is it good? or were you just thinking about it? in this post you mention an external antenna mounted on your jeep. is that the ebay antenna you linked or a different one?
my unit has a weak antenna on its back side outside of the box. it's fine for picking up my phone when i make it a hotspot in the car but doesn't/can't pick up wifi from the house when i am parked in the garage. phone easily picks it up. i don't know if it's just a weak antenna or the fact that it's surrounded by the dashboard housing... or both. would like to change that if i can do it on the cheap.
Hi.
My Skoda Superb has navigation from factory, including GPS antenna on the roof. Does anyone know if this antenna will work with an Android head unit (Joying)? I need an adapter from FAKRA to SMA to physically connect it, but I don't know if the antenna would be compatible with regards to voltage, impedance etc.
The built in antennas has normally power fed to it. You need to verify it still has power or utilize
the antenna power from the HU. Else it should work. I've Hyundai factory antenna that I'm using.
Adapters are available everywhere. I bought mine from Aliexpress.
halloj said:
The built in antennas has normally power fed to it. You need to verify it still has power or utilize
the antenna power from the HU. Else it should work. I've Hyundai factory antenna that I'm using.
Adapters are available everywhere. I bought mine from Aliexpress.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I've got antenna power for the radio antenna from the HU, but I don't know if it's needed for the GPS antenna as well. I will try and connect it with a passive adapter and see if it works.
Seems to work with just an adapter. I'm getting around the same signal levels as with the included antenna mounted outside the car.
Recently got an MCTD unit, has a v3 mainboard and I am suffering on poor FM reception and non existent AM (not bothered about AM though)
Have read that sometimes the aerials are not connected internally so had a look, one of the earth points was a bit suspect so re-soldered that, but no improvement. If I am stationary I can get 3 stations, however when I start to move I lose the signal. Interestingly it does seem to improve if I leave the radio out (I.e. Not fixed into position in the car).
I think the unit is an A Media (will have to check later) but it is a Huefei variant (running Android 5.1.1)
I have bought replacement internal aerial adaptors that are boosted to no real improvement (although after doing a bit more reading I need to check if the booster power source (from the ANT wire from the headunit) is actually giving 12V
Any ideas / mods to help improve it? Aerial works fine with standard headunit.
Thanks
anyone any ideas?
ok if anyone is interested, I bought a cheap window aerial that has a power booster, can now get channels but still not great. My next step is to either replace the roof aerial on my car (or certainly the wiring), of take of the power boosting element from the new aerial and incorporate that into the car roof mount
Buy this (don't look to the price) and you will say thanks to me for long time
http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic_DRA-6005_GPS_FM-AM_DAB_car_aerial.html
I am not interested in making publicity of this product but even I would have been you will be as happy as I am. BEST!!!
You will need extra wire extenders as the product has short cables fitted. It's on that page the link of what you will need.
similar issue
Hi are you still having this issue or did you manage to fix it? if so what did you do please?
i am having a similar issue with mine and found that iv improved things by putting a cable to earth my head unit (cable from screw on back to ground on loom) and also i have changed the cable coming from the Headunit with one from halfords (at first glance i thought it was part of the unit as it had the black sheath and blue cable but it just pulls out)
not fully, I am going to look at the antenna wire from the headunit as I dont have that connected and that may help (from reading the pumpkin website).
I have good earths which I have measured with a multimeter so I know thats good.
If I cant imrove then I will look at an aerial from the above place
htt p:// www .ha lfords .co m/ techno logy/ car-audio/ stereo-fitting-acce ssories /aut oleads-pc5-111-fakra-to-din-aerial-adaptor
i used that cable from halfords to replace the one that came with the headunit. For me it was problem solved. obviously the one that came with it wasnt making a good enough contact.
sorry had to put spaces as im not allowed to put links yet.
Thanks for the link but I have about 3 different ones and they all make good contact (have checked with the unit taken apart and everything makes contact where it should)
I am going to check my installed aerial to see if I can work out whats going on with that. I can ge radio 2 now fully on my way to work (50miles each way) but I dont want to listen to radio 2
It is antenna wiring issue, not antenna itself.
I had the same problem in US with my A-Media unit. Initially the seller sent me a power cable and I had poor radio reception, FM working but not great, no AM at all. When the seller figured out wrong cable for steering wheel issues he sent me the correct cable and everything works great including radio FM/AM. My antenna harness has two wires but the first cable connected only one. The 2nd cable has both antenna wires connected, one to antenna socket and the other goes to power cable connector.
Sorted it out, the existing aerial on my car was a dummy aerial (sharkfin), turns out the aerial itself is on the rear windscreen.
Anyway, I got an DAB aerial off ebay (bee sting type) fitted that in place of the sharkfin and re wired it. Result now have perfect reception on both FM and DAB with no loss of signal at all. Only cost £29.99 GBP as well with all wiring extensions etc
jaytc2003 said:
Sorted it out, the existing aerial on my car was a dummy aerial (sharkfin), turns out the aerial itself is on the rear windscreen.
Anyway, I got an DAB aerial off ebay (bee sting type) fitted that in place of the sharkfin and re wired it. Result now have perfect reception on both FM and DAB with no loss of signal at all. Only cost £29.99 GBP as well with all wiring extensions etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello, i have the same problem with my unit.
i wanna buy that antenna also on ebay. but the (bee sting type) you told about have a din style connector.
the original one that was by the radio is a usb type. how did you fix that problem?
I was able to solve my unworking AM Radio here.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...questions-development/radio-fm-radio-t3895859
Hi guys, I have a Android head unit called TS-4G and drive an Opel insignia. (This one https://a.aliexpress.com/_vdJ8NX ) - how can a find out which hardware platform it is?! I think it’s very similar to the px5
I replace the original radio with the Android one, but the radio signal is worst. Dump sound, no signal, no AF. I put a amplifier between the radio and my two car antennas, connected over fakra connectors. The amplifier is powered up with 12v (phantom) with amp I have very low signal, without nothing, so I decided to put my Orginal Radio back in. Now i look why is the signal so bad. I opened the Android head unit and check the reciever. There is a 7786AF-6 build in. Now is the question, replace it with a 6686 or not... ?! Or, how can i improve the signal strength.
Btw. gps, canbus, steeringwheel remote, LTE works nice. Only the fm tuner sucks...
Here some informations about this head unit
amnesia106 said:
Here some informations about this head unit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly same unit here. Cause bad fm/am signal receiption I gave up and installed a dab+ dongle with new active shark roof antenna. It supports GPS, FM/AM and DAB+ . GPS, FM/AM has good signal receiption now, but DAB is not working well. There are some device interferences, too and I have to check the cables at back side again.
Btw, the PX5 headunit was much better.... (I've got an accident with my opel astra h )
I have a dab+ usb module too, but with a window antenna. In my location in middle germany i have with this antenna worst signal too. 100 meters good signal, next 100 no signal...
How you replace the orginal shark antenna? The orginal shark is in my case the gps one. How you connect gps, and fm with this one antenna? New cables to the antenna, or can use the old one?
amnesia106 said:
I have a dab+ usb module too, but with a window antenna. In my location in middle germany i have with this antenna worst signal too. 100 meters good signal, next 100 no signal...
How you replace the orginal shark antenna? The orginal shark is in my case the gps one. How you connect gps, and fm with this one antenna? New cables to the antenna, or can use the old one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
some parts in the trunk that can prevent the roof lining from lowering must be removed. otherwise it is almost impossible to access and loosen the screw on the antenna. it's a very fiddly business, I couldn't loosen the screw on my antenna on my own and had to go to a workshop (and I really do a lot on cars.)
The original gps cable can be used again with the new antenna, for fm / am and dab a new separate cable must be pulled forward to the glove compartment. adapters may be required on the radio and dab module.
all in all, it is quite doable, but takes a lot of time. the biggest problem is loosening the old antenna and ensuring that there are no kinks in the roof lining. and make sure to disconnect the battery before converting.
But, it is possible to change the hardware (7786 to 6686 tuner?) the 2nd one is an digital fm tuner - pin out and size are the same. I read on some another threads, that ppl swap these fm tuners...
New firmware?
Tomkozh said:
New firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which ? My actual fw you can see above... is there a newer available?
Jste schopni instalovat moduly v magisku? Nemohu ani aktualizovat magisk
?
which launcher do you use?!
I have no launcher. i can't install root properly advise
Tomkozh said:
Jste schopni instalovat moduly v magisku? Nemohu ani aktualizovat magisk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
i have the same unit on my opel insignia but i don't have the climate controls at the bottom. How did you put them?
Also I can't find the password for developer options
thank you
I've got one of these Alps F9212B 1 din head units from AliExpress from the seller Carlaoer
Android 9.0 1din Quad-Core Car GPS Navigation Player 7'' Universa Car Radio WiFi Bluetooth MP5 1 DIN Multimedia Player NO DVD
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001147862560.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1aff4c4dvndEM7
When it's in the car parked outside my house, the WiFi won't connect to my home WiFi, I've also tried tethering via WiFi to my mobile inside the car and that really struggles to connect too.
I took the unit inside the house where the WiFi is obviously stronger and the WiFi will work, but the transfer rate is really slow in comparison to my phone which is connected to the same router in the spot as the head unit.
I've taken the unit apart to have a look inside, there's two very short blue wires (about 1 inch in length) that are used for the bluetooth and wifi.
Some observations and thoughts....
I was going to try tracing the WiFi wire back to the chip on the board and soldering a proper shielded pigtail, but the traces are hidden behind some kind of mod board. I'll post a picture in a moment to see if anyone can tell me what the WiFi chip might be?
I've noticed that the WiFi wire is showing continuity with ground on the board (whereas the bluetooth one doesn't), was wondering if this could be the source of the problem possibly too?
After doing quite a bit of googling, the motherboard appears very similar to this one in this video
Any help much appreciated
Here's some photos I took.
There's the top and bottom of the board. (bottom board shows the mod board that has been attached to underside of the connectors)
Also a close-up of the blue BT and WiFi antennas, they are both 40mm in length from the top of the connector
There's also the pinout diagram shown in the manual and on the device itself.
And also a screenshot of the OS version that the device is using.
Some observations:
On the bottom side of the board under the silver shielding with the 13 sticker on there's MT6627N chip (which google says is an all in-one WIFI, BT and GPS chip. The silver cover just pops off with a screwdriver. Doesn't appear to be any solder points or connections to attach an antenna.
So both the paper manual and device manual confirm that the same pin is used for WiFi. However the device manual has 30mm marked next to it. I measured the wire and it's 40mm, will this extra 10mm make a difference I wonder?
Here's the datasheet for MT6627 - https://datasheetspdf.com/pdf-file/791003/MediaTek/MT6627/1
On page 16 it mentions the RF port and Antenna port can be connected directly with a trace of 50 ohms
Also found a diagram that shows single antenna implementation
I have pretty much the same unit. Been trying to improve the wifi myself. Checking around, I found two possible methods. One, is soldering a RP-SMA pigtail to the wire on the end of the connector, and then screwing an actual antenna onto it. I haven't tried it yet because I am still waiting on the part. The second was cutting the size of the wire to the designated size. The wire on my connector is nearly 3 times the length, but since I have so much extra wire, before I cut it, I want to test the antenna method.
Hope that helps.
DroidX2 said:
I have pretty much the same unit. Been trying to improve the wifi myself. Checking around, I found two possible methods. One, is soldering a RP-SMA pigtail to the wire on the end of the connector, and then screwing an actual antenna onto it. I haven't tried it yet because I am still waiting on the part. The second was cutting the size of the wire to the designated size. The wire on my connector is nearly 3 times the length, but since I have so much extra wire, before I cut it, I want to test the antenna method.
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have photos of your unit? Is it the same board layout as mine?
While I don't have pics of the board at the moment, here is a link to the Unit I have. https://www.amazon.com/Android-Navigation-Bluetooth-MirrorLink-Subwoofer/dp/B09135FMM1?dchild=1
Have you done any modifications that fixed things?