FM Radio reception

[clydeyb]

Hi,
Just asking to see if anyone has any recommendations on troubleshooting poor FM Radio reception. I noticed I am getting poor reception on some radio stations that come in good on my other car's radio. Any advice on where to startwith this problem? The electric antenna goes up fine but does not fully retract all the way back down, it stops about maybe two inches up, not too bad.:W
Thanks in advance!

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Probably need a new antenna motor assembly.
Then, install an additional ground plane kit to assure correct function.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Hib Halverson]

With respect to late C4 with an OE replacement antenna, why is an additional ground plane kit advisable, is that a GM part and how is it installed?

 

[road agent]

Gordon K. came up with this years ago but not sure what year it was incorperated.

 

[Red Vette]

I asked Dr Don about poor radio reception in particular, both AM and FM in my 94 in the mountains. The 94's reception in Denver is okay. My 02 vette brings in the stations ok in the mountains. He believed that it was just the fact that the C4 systems were not as good as the new ones and that mine was functioning as it should. Like Hib, I am interested in the ground plane that C4C5Specialist mentioned. Will it improve the reception and why? Does it improve the reception thru the antenna?
Barrett

 

[tonylong]

I have reception problems with my '89 also. I had a 2nd ground plane installed, it helped a little. I live in the PA mountains, in the boonies, we have very few stations in the first place so good reception is needed. My Jeep gets great reception from AM and FM up to 100 miles, but the Vette can barely get 3 AM and 1 FM all local - 15 miles tops.
I think it's the end result of a non-metallic body. One day if I get ambitious I might try putting a huge metal mesh under the rear deck and try using it as a ground plane.
Right now I download tunes from Playlist.com and then record to cassette tapes. I only want music anyway, who needs the news.

 

[combustables]

Hi all. New guy here. I couldn't stop myself from contributing because I solved this problem for myself. I improved my FM reception dramatically by adding a 25 dollar inline antenna amplifier I bought on ebay.

This little amp (4x2x2 inches) needed a 12 volt source which I got from the stereo power input. It didn't improve the actual sound quality but the reception became constant and I stopped hearing the droputs and frequent static I used to hear. The radio was cool.

The moral of the story is "add an inline antenna amplifier"

P.S. I also spliced a simple on off switch (in the console storage area between the seats) that allows me to keep the antenna down during non radio use. 4 dollars for the switch and 2 dollars for wire.

 

[tonylong]

Hi all. New guy here. I couldn't stop myself from contributing because I solved this problem for myself. I improved my FM reception dramatically by adding a 25 dollar inline antenna amplifier I bought on ebay.

This little amp (4x2x2 inches) needed a 12 volt source which I got from the stereo power input. It didn't improve the actual sound quality but the reception became constant and I stopped hearing the droputs and frequent static I used to hear. The radio was cool.

The moral of the story is "add an inline antenna amplifier"

P.S. I also spliced a simple on off switch (in the console storage area between the seats) that allows me to keep the antenna down during non radio use. 4 dollars for the switch and 2 dollars for wire.

This seems like a winning idea, can you tell us more ...
where installed, any brand name or model nos, etc.

 

[combustables]

tonylong,

Here is the antenna amplifier I bought. I hope it's ok to post this. If not, sorry moderators

FM Radio Signal Amplifier 15dB Gain Antenna Car Truck - eBay (item 200286241545 end time Jan-07-09 21:33:59 PST)

I installed it just behind the stereo head unit which is not the original factory head. There was room so I just tucked it in there. I hope that helps.

 

[tonylong]

Great info, thanks, it looks like it'll do the trick.