I am trying to find out some more information re the dual antenna which the octavia should have. Have searched forums and found a couple of bits but what i am trying to find out is -

Where would the GSM co ax be - I 've had mine to bits and its not anywhere near the centre console.

Any one replaced the standard aerial with a dual one. ( Assuming its not already fitted) if so where can I get one.

I've found out the original is made by an Italian company who have no UK agents so no joy there.

I don't want to have seperate ones unless I'm really pushed but the real killer is that I installed a glass mount aerial very neatly on the rear screen . - lasted two days before someone pulled it off . The difference in reception was very noticable so I feel the cost of changing the whole thing is worth doing.

The original is also amplified I believe. Can anyone clarify?

Any help greatly appreciated

Morgan

PS with new law coming in soon this may be a lot more relevant.

I still haven't got any where with this . so if any one has any suggestions ?

morgan

The aerial lead is tucked into a clear rubber cover behind the radio, follow the lead that connects to the radio and you will find a split and return part - it's thick and multi-stranded - seem to recall it's red with thin yellow stripes, but I could be wrong.

Hope this helps,

Does the GSM antenna work for all networks - I seem to remember there being different antennas needed for Orange, as they operate on a PCN network rather than GSM?? Or am I getting confused?

Three bands in existence:

900Mhz

1800Mhz

1900Mhz

In the UK, most networks used 900Mhz, where Orange use 1800Mhz. However, many phones are dual band (900 \ 1800Mhz) so will work on either Orange or the others, some networks (Tmobile \ virgin) use both frequencies!

1900Mhz is used in the US, this is the "other" freq on tri-band phones.

Most GSM antenna are now designed to work with both UK frequencies.

(christ I know the most useless things! Watching something on TV the other night about space flight, narrator says "but there is a new technology that may transform space travel" - I pre-empt - "scramjets", narrator announces "SCRAMJETS!" - Sandra looks at me and says "you really do know a bit about everything!" - I think that was a compliment!)

Thanks Ian. My other half says I think I know everything..........!

Yeah - I knew about scramjets before that program too - not that it made it any less interesting... Ithink I'd heard about these upper atmosphere Mach 5 jets in some book I read when I was a lot smaller.

Imagine going for a day trip to Tokyo to do your Xmas shopping (all those cheap electronics). [dreaming]

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

In the UK, most networks used 900Mhz, where Orange use 1800Mhz.

Isn't it a 50/50 split? O2 and Voda on 900MHz, and Orange and T-Mobile on 1800MHz?

Rob.

note the use of the word "used" rob - thats how it started

When it started *all* networks used 900MHz.

Oh, and 800Mhz is used in some countries too... :p

Rob.

You're gonna start talking about those awful benefon phones again aren't you? I can feel it!

:p

Hmmm. Rabbit.

Originally posted by fen_l&k in this post

Hmmm. Rabbit.

I remember those, anyone still got one in use as a home phone.

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

You're gonna start talking about those awful benefon phones again aren't you? I can feel it!

The B&O of telecommunications devices!

Rabbit don't count as that wasn't a proper mobile network... :p

Rob.

Just to clarify the frequency bands for mobile networks:

O2 (as was Cellnet) and Vodafone primarily use 900MHz, but in some areas (ususally high call traffic areas) they have some base stations that provide voice channels in the 1800MHz band, so if you have a dual band phone, you can benefit from the extra capacity that the networks offers with these addditional 1800MHz channels.

T Mobile (as was one-to-one), Virgin which operates on T mobile network and Orange use 1800MHz only.

If you have a car kit with a dual band phone, then you would need need a dual band antenna if you use O2 & Vodafone. However, if you use one of the the 1800MHz networks in the UK and then drive to Europe, you may well switch to a 900MHz network (such as SFR in France) so it is desirable to have dual band antenna in any case.

Three - the new network operates on the new UMTS frequency bands that span 1900-2200MHz approximately, but where the 3 coverage doesn't, the user drops back on to a very basic service on O2!

Some GSM phones are now tri-band and incorporate 1900MHz for use in North America in addition to 900 & 1800 and soon we will start to see quad band as they are now introducing GSM at 850MHz in North America and Canada.

Here endeth todays GSM lesson!

John.

Well, I installed my Nokia hands free kit into my week old Octavia VRS today, and after a lot of searching I conclude that the VRS doesn't have a GSM feed to the dash from the combined antenna. I checked the loom all the way behind the dash (took the glovebox out) and it's nowhere to be seen. Is it possible that the connection is part of the mobile pre-preparation that is only available on the "higher" spec Octavias?

A tax disc antenna has done the job for now, although I may go for a Hirschmann combined FM/GPS/GSM antenna when/if I can be arsed.

Jim-bo

sounds the same as mine, the hirschnman seems to be the best one I've seen, the only problem is no gain there is the other way where you change t he aerial for a GSM only and then install a window strip fm aerial. ? just a thought . or what about a gsm/gps/fm all inone.

morgan

what about a gsm/gps/fm all inone.

Ummmmm..... isn't that what I said? Hirschmann do a 3 in 1 antenna that looks very much like the original Ocatvia aerial, but with a more substantial base for the GPS part.

errrrr so you did , found anywhere that sells them ?

We Do!!

www.panorama.co.uk

John.

http://www.tdc.co.uk

These people used to list it - they were very friendly when I spoke to them, so they may be worth a call; I spoke to them when I was looking for a combined antenna for my last car (in the end I thought it was a better approach all round to simply ditch the old car and buy a VRS)!

Oops.. or go to www.panorama.co.uk and ask for John. He's a friendly guy; don'y forget to ask for Briskoda discount!!!