Beefing up stock antennae?

[Dark_Rider2k3]

So.. is there a way to "beef up" the stock antennae? It gets poor reception where I'm at, and is the main reason I don't listen to the radio in my car.

Slight static FTL

[PoisonDrop]

You could buy an amplifier. I've had one, and it helps a little...

The other option is to replace the stock antenna with an aftermarket one, of course.

[RS_OBD'oh_2]

There is like 4 feet worth that you can pull out. I've never had an issue with it. Get Sat radio, red dragons!

[Daninski]

The problem could be your stereo. My MX-6 stereo has awful reception, it's a stock stereo.
The stereo in my MX-3 gets fantastic reception, it's a Kenwood.

[_-Night-Shade-_]

The problem could be your stereo. My MX-6 stereo has awful reception, it's a stock stereo.
The stereo in my MX-3 gets fantastic reception, it's a Kenwood.

+1
My current deck gets horrible reception, I barely listen to the radio because of it. Lesson learned: don't buy cheap s---.

[Dark_Rider2k3]

well that is an interesting though..

I have an Alpine CDA-9856 so I wouldn't think there should be issues but you never know...

[jmdearras]

That's why I did this: http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=72121" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[PoisonDrop]

That's why I did this: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=72121

I almost linked to your thread, sir, but couldn't find it...

[MrMazda92]

I have a similar issue. My head unit is an Apline-98xx, I'm not sure at the moment; but it's quality.

My antenna works alright, unless I go within 100 feet of powerlines... then I get sharp static like analog TV in 2010.

[Conrad17]

Some Mx-3's ive seen came stock with an antennae booster, at least the two mx-3's ive had.
its just a mini amp, that splices your antennae?
does yours have one?

[MrMazda92]

Some Mx-3's ive seen came stock with an antennae booster, at least the two mx-3's ive had.
its just a mini amp, that splices your antennae?
does yours have one?

Honestly, I wouldn't have the slightest clue as to where that would be, in/near my audio wiring harness? I'll be doing a light tear-down on my dash this coming week to put in my e-spec vents, so I imagine I could take a peek at that too.

[Conrad17]

yeah it'd be tied in right next to your stereo its just a small like 4x4 box with like 4 wires including your antennea wire.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Indeed my Mx-3 had no problems with FM reception, but I replaced the deck weeks after getting the car and it had nothing but some high-end Pioneer decks, but on that note, there was no factory amplifier either.

However, those amplifiers don't typically work. If you think about it logically, the problems with reception is that the signal coming into the radio is weak. If you get an amplifier, the only thing you're doing is making the weak signal louder, basically like yelling jubberish into a loud speaker..it's still jibberish, just louder.

There's only 2 ways to improve it. First would be to make the broadcast signal louder, but the radiostation nor the FAA would let that happen.

The other is to make the receiver more sensitive to the signal. One would be mostly by the antenna, making it more sensitive to vibrate to the signals, or to make the electronic receiver more sentitive to the vibrations of the antenna, but it can only pick up what the antenna is capable of at the most minute scale.