Save up to 15% with Adrian Flux insurance!

General Radio 4 hissing

Currently reading:
General Radio 4 hissing

C

Cameron1590

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2015
Messages
146
Points
68
Chaps,

My partner is moaning about the panda at the moment. When driving along listening to radio 4 you get a hissing over the top of the audio.

I have tried retuning etc to no avail. My 500x is spot on with it and doesn’t hiss at all.

Any ideas? Wondered if I could upgrade the antenna for something better?

Thanks
 
Cameron1590 said:
It’s on FM.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
Its strange its only on Radio 4, all your BBC FM stations will emanate from the same transmitter so signal levels would be at a similar level. It could be a transmission fault, perhaps too much HF Audio emphasis, perhaps you have the treble set too high in the Panda and flat in the 500x, I'd check the audio settings in the Panda and reduce the treble a bit and see if that improves matters.
 
murphyv310 said:
Thanks.
Its strange its only on Radio 4, all your BBC FM stations will emanate from the same transmitter so signal levels would be at a similar level. It could be a transmission fault, perhaps too much HF Audio emphasis, perhaps you have the treble set too high in the Panda and flat in the 500x, I'd check the audio settings in the Panda and reduce the treble a bit and see if that improves matters.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Panda audio system has plenty of adjustment options so worth just giving it a bit of a run through and seeing if that improves for the time being.

Does seem a bit weird. Literally the only other thing I can think of is if it's picking up a different FM frequency for Radio 4 all of a sudden (for example, Heart has 3 or 4 different FM frequencies round here, the radio generally switches to the closest one to ensure best reception when driving further afield). Very long shot mind!:D
 
g8rpi said:
If you have any plug in accessories such as cell phone chargers, sat nav or dash cam, try unplugging them completely. Many of the 5V adaptors for these cause intereference on some FM frequencies.



Robert G8RPI
Click to expand...

Very true, normally though when going to a different transmission area the RDS EON would seamlessly retune to the stronger signal and any interference would suddenly go as the received frequency has changed.
Chargers with DC to DC converters are the worst and can obliterate AM, FM is less susceptible as any amplitude modulation noise should be suppressed by the limiting action of the receivers circuitry.
Try sitting in the car with a portable FM radio tuned to the frequency the car radio is tuned to, if its noise generated in the car the portable should then give you the same hiss or distortion.
 
Much talk of EON and auto tune... but I wonder if that has been turned off, and therefore is the cause of the problem.


To explain (if needed)... If the radio is tuned to Radio 4 in a particular location and that prest frequency stored (for me in Hertfordshire, for example, this is on 93.5MHz) , if you drive to somewhere further away, where Radio 4 may be on 94.2MHz, if the preset is still set to 93.5, then it will be hissy. Are the letters 'AF' showing on the radio display? (meaning Auto-find). If not, then the radio is not auto-tuning to keep up with Radio 4 as you move around. To turn on 'AF', press 'menu' on the radio and press the up or down arrow buttons until you see 'AF Switching'. Now press left or right to set this to 'on'.
 
Herts Hillhopper said:
Much talk of EON and auto tune... but I wonder if that has been turned off, and therefore is the cause of the problem.


To explain (if needed)... If the radio is tuned to Radio 4 in a particular location and that prest frequency stored (for me in Hertfordshire, for example, this is on 93.5MHz) , if you drive to somewhere further away, where Radio 4 may be on 94.2MHz, if the preset is still set to 93.5, then it will be hissy. Are the letters 'AF' showing on the radio display? (meaning Auto-find). If not, then the radio is not auto-tuning to keep up with Radio 4 as you move around. To turn on 'AF', press 'menu' on the radio and press the up or down arrow buttons until you see 'AF Switching'. Now press left or right to set this to 'on'.
Click to expand...

That was the technical way of explaining my point, thanks!:D:D(y):eek:
 
Hi.
If the "AF" was turned off it would effect all stations not just Radio 4. It also is seen on the normal screen so if it isn't displayed when listening to an FM station it obviously is not enabled.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20180914_200726.jpg
    IMG_20180914_200726.jpg
    484.9 KB · Views: 24
Last edited:
Thanks all for the help/guidance and apologies for the delay in replying. A family member fell ill abroad so I have been flying all over the place recently.

AF was off, it was only radio 4 that it was happening on. The main culprit was a cheapie usb charger plugged into the cigarette plug.

Someone mentioned this as being the potential issue on here. Something I wouldn’t of looked at in all honesty.

If anyone knows of a decent usb charger for an iPhone that won’t cause the interference, please let me know.
 
Hi,
I suggested this haveing had experince of it myself. I have th skills and equipment to investigate and its a common issue with many adaptors not just cheap ones. Try nther random one from a shop or petrol station it may interfere on a diffent channel so your Radio 4 may be OK. if it causes interference take back and get a refund or complain to trading standards as they are supposed to enforce the regulations.


Robert G8RPI.

.
 
I'm having problems with my radio as well, its not hissing but its making strange noises on starting the engine. Sounds like the cd motor spinning when its not even on. Do you have any idea why or is it time for a change?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Technical Aftermarket radio
Replies
4
Views
323
Pandapowerrrrrrr
P
B
Technical Delphi radio code
Replies
6
Views
639
Herts Hillhopper
Herts Hillhopper
S
General Radio removal
Replies
5
Views
789
steve gray
S
salvator7
General fiat panda radio problem
Replies
5
Views
841
Herts Hillhopper
Herts Hillhopper
Konrado
Technical Radio code
Replies
8
Views
1K
Panda IIs
P
Back
Top