New-style Ariel on mk1. Maesty

[SimonR]

I was under the knife this week so although I've have the whole week off work it's not been possible to do any Maestroing, infact it's not been possible to do anything other than sit on the sofa reading classic car magazines Still I'm feeling a lot better and next week I'll probably be able to complete the audio system upgrade on A335.

I've got a radio ariel form a K-plate Monty and am wondering how easy it is to fit to my Mk. 1 Maesty. Without me having to get off the sofa, does any one know how easy it is to fit it? I'm hoping that the mk. 1 ariel has the same screw holes as the later type.

Also, an odd thing is plaguing the current ariel: it works for about 5 mins and then all radio reception disappears and all I get is a very quiet fizzing sound. This is for LW and FM and is the same for two different head units. The original headunit works fine in MaestroMatt's VP.

Does anyone know what's causing this? Occasionally reception recovers, often for a split second as I'm pulling away in 2nd gear. Do you think I'm being a little optimistic in thinking that a replacement ariel will solve this problem? (I'm going to replace it anyway as the old one is unsightly!

I haven't yet discovered if the lack of reception is related to engine revs or anything else such as ancilliaries being on. Very odd.

[talkingcars]

Quick answer

1 yes it will
2 stepper motor?

[F690OTF(RIP)]

Look, I know that I'm going to get slated for doing this, but I will emphasise again that I mean this to be a help or a point of interest, not a criticism. If you think it's pointless, you're entitled to your opinion, but not everyone shares it. I make no apologies for my love of the English language.

The correct spelling is 'aerial'. Ariel is a washing powder

*dons tin hat and gas mask*

[SimonR]

Originally posted by talkingcars
1 Yes
2 stepper motor?

Thanks for the confirmation - I'll just screw it on, after, of course, I attach a length of string to the old one as I withdraw it from the A post - I've heard it's v. difficult otherwise...

With regard to the stepper, is it just the fact that the problem starts after 5 mins that makes you think it's this, or is there something else I've not heard about? Can't think why the stepper would interfere with theradio reception although I have to admit the timing would suggest it...

Cheers

SR.

[SimonR]

Originally posted by F690OTF(RIP)
The correct spelling is 'aerial'. Ariel is a washing powder

*dons tin hat and gas mask*

You know I *fort* it looked rong! But it also looked kinda wright...

D'oh. I've never been able to spell that word. I'm also unable to distinguish between brake and break. Causes alot of trouble in traffik.

[talkingcars]

When ive replaced a areal ive cut the coax cable off of the areal when ive pulled it out so i can use the old coax instead off string.

i am just guesting when i sead stepper motar cos its the only fing wot i can fink off wot stops after a few minites off the car runing.

And finally, I get really annoyed when some one feels the need to correct spelling. I regard the English languge as an art, not a science and therfore the importance of clarity within the messege is more important than the spelling in that messege. This regard is of even greater relavence in this midium of communication as it is almost as close to having a face to face conversation as one can get (if one excludes SMS messeging and live internet chat).

If one has to check every word using a dictionary then the speed of communication is lost, I for one would not waste time typing.

If the board owner thought it important they would have included a spell checker which still would only find incorect spelling where the author had not used any correct spelling of a word.

James

[SimonR]

Thanks for your answer, James - I'll cheque[sic] it out somehow.

Originally posted by talkingcars
I get really annoyed when some one feels the need to correct spelling.

Well to be honest it annoys me when English is misused - I'm always correcting news readers when they say something like "one out of six people enjoy" it does m' nut in - don't they know that it's *enjoys*?

If I'm stoopid enough to make mistakes then others can feel free to point them out!

[F690OTF(RIP)]

Thank you Si. I knew there were people on the forums who share my view; I also had an inkling that you were one of them. I like to think I wouldn't be awkward enough to make such comments in a context in which I knew I had absolutely no support.

I would like to make it clear that I will generally only correct the spelling, punctuation and grammar of those who are clearly already making an effort, so as to help them along the way. I don't bother correcting people whose posts are so littered with errors that they clearly either don't care, in which case my correcting them won't make a difference, or they have genuine difficulty with such things (a situation which I find very difficult to understand, but that doesn't mean I don't believe it's genuine), in which case my corrections are likely only to upset them.

I'm not going to enter into the Art versus Science debate, but I would like to point out that the English language being an art does not make it imprecise. I cite the following aspects of the definition of the word 'art' in support of my argument:

"High quality of conception or execution, as found in works of beauty; aesthetic value."
"A system of principles and methods employed in the performance of a set of activities: the art of building."
"A trade or craft that applies such a system of principles and methods: the art of the lexicographer."
"Skill that is attained by study, practice, or observation: the art of the baker; the blacksmith's art."

Synonyms for 'art' include 'craft', 'expertise', 'knack', 'know-how' and 'technique'. Art does not preclude study and practice of a set of rules or principles.

Incidentally, I don't have to check every word using a dictionary; they're all in my head. When I am unsure of the correct spelling of a word, I find the quickest way to check is to start a new e-mail in Outlook, type my attempt at the word in question and hit F7. This takes 5-10 seconds, which is a small price to pay for correct spelling, although obviously I place a grater value upon correct spelling than most.

Now, since (once again), I wasn't trying to start an argument in the first place, I suggest we allow this thread to go back on-topic. Perhaps we should have an "English Technical" forum on here

[Simon]

From the teacher: Rules of English are easy - keep it simple! The Later model aerial will fit onto your earlier model Maestro without modification. (Later model aerial part number is EEP 9). You will find that your aerial key (if you still have it) will be redundant as the new item will have a convenient ball end with which to pull up the telescopic sections. You might find that the change of antenna removes your intermittent reception problem without recourse to further diagnostic analysis.

[MGTURBOM]

Im not sure that the late Monty Aerial will fit your Maestro. It was only yesterday I put a new Monty aerial next to the shell of a MG 1600 restoration bodyshell and found that the screw holes are in different places if I remember correct.

[talkingcars]

Having studied communication at degree level I am not speaking as a complete moron.

Being born of a family who have been involved in such diverse areas as writing definitions for the Oxford English Dictionary (father), editing the Oxford Companion to Food uncle/godfather), editing books for Penguin (aunt), expert advice for Hampton Court when designing their medievel kitchen display (cousin), being active in the commitee deciding what chemical to add to natural gas to make it suitable for supply to the public (again father), programming the Lyons/met office computer (aunt), defining gravity (yes, Mr Newton was a mulpipul great grandfather), discovering half of Africa (yes, Mr Livingstone was a great great grandfather on the otherside), department manager for safty system programming at Necular Power (brother in law) I am stupid as my school studies finished with A levels. (BTW there are other notable achivements that I could list).

However picking someone up for using the wrong spelling of a word in a messege where anyone who has the ability to read a sentance could understand the question, to my mind, is simply pathetic.

For complete acuracy would it not be more sensible to use good old fashioned pen and paper and post your thoughts to each other.

As for bringing up the complaint and then asking for the matter to stop when people bother to respond having already said that one knows one is to be flamed.............

If I am to be subjected to this sort of scrutiney every time I type I just won't bother to read the forum, let alone ask for advice or pass on my experience.

If you want to spread your application of English as a scince do it as a p mail, don't ridicule someone in open forum, if you don't understand a messege ask.

James

[F690OTF(RIP)]

At no point have I done anything which could possibly be described as ridiculing. Don't throw random accusations.

I don't quite see why you're playing the victim here; I haven't criticised your spelling at any point thus far. Given the opinion you have expressed, I shall refrain from doing so.

"For complete acuracy would it not be more sensible to use good old fashioned pen and paper and post your thoughts to each other." Am I missing something here? How is pen and paper more accurate? Handwriting (especially mine) can easily be misread; typed text (typos aside) is totally reliable.

Also, I have at no point suggested that the spelling errors which I have pointed out prevent people from understanding the gist of the post. Whether it's pathetic or not is merely your opinion, but Si, for one, disagrees.

[Austin-Rover]

I am sorry - but were we not discussing Radio Aerials here?

I for one have no problems reading anyones posts and spelling and punctuation should not come into a forum where like minded people can discuss the cars they enjoy as a hobby.

Go and read the Terms & Conditions of Use at the top of the page...

...3. Postings should be in English or a close approximation thereto...

[tony]

I am sorry - but were we not discussing Radio Aerils here?

[H48HPE]

I can see both sides of the spelling argument. in certain circumstances it may be worth pointing out an incorrect spelling (such as if you were going to search for it on the internet) most other times as long as the word is understandable its ok if its spelt wrong, this forum is about technical matters where handling a spanner is more important than using a spell checker. some mates of mine that are at university seem to have develoded a problem similar to yours, im sure that when they have to get a job it will bring them back to the real world.

Andy

[JonCooper]

I'm with MGTURBOM, a while ago I tried fitting a maestro aeriel to a montego thinking they looked exactly the same only to find the screw holes didnt line up

[Jonathan]

Can I step in as administrator of these forums at this point and offer a little advice?

I actually agree in principle with the point being made about the English language often being misused and it can be slightly irritating to read through pieces of text with bad punctuation, capitalisation, spelling, grammar etc. You obviously feel very strongly about this.

However good your intentions though I'm afraid that it isn't generally good courtesy to publically point out such errors on an internet discussion forum because it WILL offend people, as we have seen! A significant number of people (around 2 million in the UK I think?) suffer from an inherited condition called Dyslexia which is a learning difficulty that can affect reading and/or spelling, and we want everyone to feel as welcome to contribute with or without spelling errors.

By all means let's pick up on 'text message' speak and SHOUTING in posts because that really is difficult to read. But don't be surprised if we edit out anything we think might offend. There are far more important things to be talking about, like ariels. Sorry, aerials

[Simon]

Yes and I'm wrong too: Montego aerials fit Montego's (whatever the year); Maestro aerials fit Maestro's (again whatever the year). There is, unfortunately, no cross-pollination. I misread the thread first time round! The earlier style Maestro aerial was NLA when I wanted one mid-1989.

Also, beware of copy aerials: In my experience they fit poorly and can lead to cabin leaks. get the genuine MG Rover one - costly but worthwhile in the long term

[Liam]

I obtained an Aerial from a montego estate to ready to fit to my maestro, farted about for ages to get the cable down the pillar then found that the holes didn't line up!!!!!

So be warned they are not all the same!

Also coax is very fragile so a slightly damaged length of coax may be the cause of your poor reception. I would not be suprised if a new aerial sorted your problems.

[MaestroMatt]

I am extremely sensitive to bad English (I have a degree in English, you see) and would prefer to see correct spelling, punctuation and grammar in all posts but realise it is an impossible dream. I never offer corrections for fear of seeming pedantic and/or irritating people, although I am sorely tempted at times. Some people, like me, are born pedants and a bad spelling; a misused word; or the ultimate unforgivable sin: a misplaced apostrophe, jump out of the page at us and are as offensive to the eye as the corrective posting is to the non-pedant. I think that to maintain good feeling on the forums, us pedants should refrain from going over postings with a fine tooth-comb, but it would be nice if everyone could make an effort to check their comments before posting as, at times, some posts are barely understandable.

Sorry to play devil's advocate, and I realise it is off-topic, but this is an area I feel strongly about!

I also think it is worth pointing out that Ariel is actually the fairy from The Tempest and therefore fitting it to a Maestro, mark-one or not, would be an act of intolerable cruelty and in any case would probably require you to drill extra screw-holes. Hopefully that gets us back on topic...