Aerial whistle
Author
Discussion

Loudman

Original Poster:

381 posts

247 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
Elise S2 111s '03

At over 75mph by far the loudest thing about my car (even with a sports exhaust) is the whistle from the radio aerial (mounted on the engine cover). It makes motorway journeys 'less enjoyable'. I haven't measured it but i'd guess its about 6 inches long and doesn't look too big and I assume is original. Radio reception is normally pretty bad, don't know if getting a shorter one would make this notably worse - has anyone had similar issues and done anything successful about it?
I believe that newer S2's have a built in aerial in front clam, which presumably is to get around this problem but don't want to resort to that.

kambites

71,656 posts

252 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
Mine doesn't seem to do it.

The standard aerial is significantly longer than six inches; probably over a foot. If it's the original, it should be by some margin the highest point on the car (see: http://www.elises.co.uk/models/s2/outline_side_t.j... ).

Reception is always pretty shocking I think.


Edited by kambites on Thursday 3rd April 09:13

LotusEater666

187 posts

231 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
On mine the door windows and seals have a small gap and I guess the whistling sound is caused by that.

I've started a few threads on radio reception in the past so search the archives. The MFRU emits a load of RFI. I grounded this with some kitchen foil and greatly improved the reception. I've never seen this mentioned anywhere else so I guess I discovered it wink

LivinLaVidaLotus

1,626 posts

232 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
It's mentioned on SELOC Tech Wiki AFAIK wink On later cars it was moved to under the pax wheel arch.

MiniDiva

1,227 posts

252 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
Loudman said:
Elise S2 111s '03

At over 75mph by far the loudest thing about my car (even with a sports exhaust) is the whistle from the radio aerial (mounted on the engine cover). It makes motorway journeys 'less enjoyable'. I haven't measured it but i'd guess its about 6 inches long and doesn't look too big and I assume is original. Radio reception is normally pretty bad, don't know if getting a shorter one would make this notably worse - has anyone had similar issues and done anything successful about it?
I believe that newer S2's have a built in aerial in front clam, which presumably is to get around this problem but don't want to resort to that.
Is your whistling aerial just plain & straight or does it have a spiral on the surface along the length of it? If it doesn't have the spiral type then that might be the problem, apparently the spiraly design should stop the whistling.

crackthatoff

3,314 posts

244 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
there is an upgrade for such a problem ... a larini club sport !

beez

217 posts

254 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
MiniDiva said:
Is your whistling aerial just plain & straight or does it have a spiral on the surface along the length of it? If it doesn't have the spiral type then that might be the problem, apparently the spiraly design should stop the whistling.
Recon MiniDiva could be right my S1 had a spiral type arial and I never had any whistling problems.

Loudman

Original Poster:

381 posts

247 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
Hmmm, interesting, my aerial is indeed a fairly plain, straight one, which a slightly wider section at the top. I shall investigate aftermarket spiraly ones immediately. Mine also extends very marginally higher than my (currently fitted but about to be removed) hardtop.

Thanks.

MiniDiva

1,227 posts

252 months

Friday 4th April 2008
quotequote all
You might be able to buy a replacement from halfrauds or maplin fairly cheaply - i think they just screw into the base that is mounted on the engine cover.

I learned of the spirally business when I had my Mini cooperS a few years ago as they have them fitted - a very nice salesman told me all about it! wink

S Works

10,166 posts

281 months

Friday 4th April 2008
quotequote all
MiniDiva said:
You might be able to buy a replacement from halfrauds or maplin fairly cheaply - i think they just screw into the base that is mounted on the engine cover.
Yep, only a few quid.