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Why does my radio reception suck?

2K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  mijeeper80 
#1 ·
I have a cheap aftermarket radio, and my Jeep did not have an antenna when I bought it, so I bought one for a Jeep online. Not sure of brands. Anyway, the radio reception is nowhere near as good as my Honda,(99 cassette). If I disconnect the Ant. I get zero reception. If I hold the Ant. it comes in better. I thought that might mean a bad ground somehow. For a while I tried running a separate wire from Ant. to the body but it didn't help. Any ideas?
 
#4 ·
Unfortunately not all car stereos are created equally... so this could be one factor, the other could possibly be the antenna.

If the AM reception is very bad your antenna probably needs replacing, if it's seems decent or on par with the FM the engine could be interfering with the reception due too the low quality tuner or the tuner just isn't capable of good reception.
 
#5 ·
I'm leaning towards antenna because if I hold the antenna the reception is good. Still wonder if it's some ground thing tho.
 
#6 ·
I recently put a new head unit in my 94... reception sucked in the old one so I figured a new one would solve it. Nope. Where the antenna cable met the fender and transitioned to the actual antenna mount was an absolute rust bucket. The inside of the coax was beyond corroded. Pretty easy fix running a new cable in. Good luck!
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the responses. It is a new antenna. Only one year-ish old. I think it must be defective. If i grab the antenna the reception is great.
 
#8 ·
On your next payday, invest $12.00 in an inexpensive antenna. Take your time and mount it properly.
Use the wire that comes with the new antenna. Plug it into your new radio. Enjoy.

Let us know how it works out.

Good Luck, L.M.
 
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