I have it on all day but just loud enough to hear. I mainly have it on for background noise and uses less power than the TV. I also like to leave it on if I go out. If not the radio, I plug my iPod into it.
For the little cost involved, it is worth it. I don't have and don't need outside speakers. No need upsetting the neighbours.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Tuesday 28th of April 2015 07:44:20 PM
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
As opposed for instance to a Bose speaker system for the TV?, I reckon the cost of cutting out the panels for speakers, wiring, installation labour and the cost of the unit would be up at $500-$600.
G'day. definite yes. when we brought our van I noticed that it had a car radio fitted. it was not until we were on the road again and I started playing with it I found out it had 2 short wave bands on it as well as normal am/fm bands. this was perfect for me as I like to listen to the real world even if out in the sticks. this is great for us but maybe not for you. a car radio and a couple of speakers does not take much space or weight. using the tv is only possible if you are in range. hope this helps
Cheers
__________________
Jack Cherie and the memory of the four legged kids.
That's the trouble, the financial adviser said we don't have it. Generally our new age TV's have crap sound. Bose put out a small speaker system that greatly improves the sound. Our Teac TV takes thumb drives and I imagine an Ipod. Just trying to find out how to pull back the cost on a 5wheeler.
Thanks for the input.
we have a car radio installed in our van and use it often when camped.... like to keep up with the news sometimes it is just a tad to quiet so the background noise good....it's also a D player so I can put on music I like
__________________
Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.
I just fitting a Kenwood car stereo to our Avan. There was already a partial cutout behind one of the panels where the radio would have been fitted during manufacture, if it was fitted. For the speakers I used a couple of Yamaha surround sound speakers I picked up from a garage sale for a couple of dollars, and mounted them under the cupboards using some ally brackets a couple of screws, and some super strong double sided to hold them firm . I will wire the TV sound into the AUX in sockets in the back of the radio for better sound sometime soon. The good thing is that it has a USB input for playing music in mp3 format. It also has a remote control. I might even wire in another set of speakers to use the rear speaker output in the radio later as well. The radio I picked up from a garage sale also for about $40.00. It was brand new unopened, but 12 months old. I have tested it and the sound is great, and plenty loud enough for a van. Similar radios can be bought for about $150.00 brand new from various auto parts places and you can get them with bluetooth to use with your smartphone or I-things if you want to.
I suggest that you will do similar things when camped as you do at home. Do you listen to the radio at home? If you do then you will miss it on the road if you don't have one.
You will find that you will camp at places without TV reception. You will be completely out of touch without a radio. How will that effect you?
The thing to consider is will you use a radio if it is fitted and not whether we use one or not. Also consider that a van may be able to sell later on if it does not have a working radio in it.
__________________
PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Yes, we go "old school" with a portable am/fm radio.
4 x AA batteries last about a month.
Can have it inside or outside -- just pick it up & move it.
We have it on most days.
When we get tired of a local station we have an MP4 player with all our CDs on it.
Plug it into one of the 4 cigarette lighter plugs in the van.
We got a waterproof extra speaker from Aldi. Plug that into the MP4 at happy hour.
Cheap & effective.
Yes, we go "old school" with a portable am/fm radio. 4 x AA batteries last about a month. Can have it inside or outside -- just pick it up & move it. We have it on most days. When we get tired of a local station we have an MP4 player with all our CDs on it. Plug it into one of the 4 cigarette lighter plugs in the van. We got a waterproof extra speaker from Aldi. Plug that into the MP4 at happy hour. Cheap & effective.
Is that an MP4 video player, or an MP3 audio player... or... a quoted as MP4 player that is actually an MP3 player with video an added video codec player?
__________________
Yes I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
I suggest that you will do similar things when camped as you do at home. Do you listen to the radio at home? If you do then you will miss it on the road if you don't have one.
You will find that you will camp at places without TV reception. You will be completely out of touch without a radio. How will that effect you?
The thing to consider is will you use a radio if it is fitted and not whether we use one or not. Also consider that a van may be able to sell later on if it does not have a working radio in it.
I know it sounds stupid, but I'm as deaf as a post so I don't listen to the radio as back ground noise, I have tinnitus for that. However the wife does and so I have to address the problem. I intend to have only satellite TV (Vast) which I believe is available everywhere. A radio can be retro fitted, and the estimated cost of supply and installation is between $600 - $750 dollars. A portable radio is cheaper.
We had a fusion system fitted at the factory during our build. It caters for iPod, MP3 on a usb stick, dvd, cd, and am, fm reception. Frankly I wouldn't be without it and it was worth the extra bux I paid.
Cheers
-- Edited by Phil C on Thursday 30th of April 2015 10:32:21 AM
__________________
Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Troopy.
It plays MP3s and MP4 videos.
Screen smaller than a matchbox.
Never had much luck with the video side, gotta get the right format, so haven't bothered much.
When playing a ripped CD the screen shows the album cover.
Called an Iriver.
Thanks for the input so far folks. In case you are wondering, I'm trying to work out what I can leave off the build, and what is essential.
I'd leave it off and buy a portable radio which is much more versatile and can be used anywhere inside or outside the van. Saves all the wiring and aerial hassles as well.
I noted that there are 48 local stations available on the VAST system, also when the TV is on digital radio, the screen is 90% black, which on my understanding meant that the screen is pulling very little power. And I think a car radio would be a bit of a hog with power usage. I'm tending to agree with hako on all of this.
-- Edited by iana on Thursday 30th of April 2015 10:02:58 PM
