How can I make my Reception better??
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From: SE Hawaii
How can I make my Reception better??
I have the stock deck and the reception sucks (as most of you probably know).
Is there any way to get better reception?
Would a better deck fix this?
Is there anything I can do?
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Is there any way to get better reception?
Would a better deck fix this?
Is there anything I can do?
___
Last edited by MR_LUV; Sep 2, 2021 at 08:46 PM. Reason: Awarded 15 Yr Badge
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
1. did you have it tinted?
2. is it tinted with metallic film---if so, reception is hindered as the antenna is on the window (if you have the metallic type film, see the manual about the warning).
3. what stations(s) do you have poor reception on (since I may live on the same island as you...)?
2. is it tinted with metallic film---if so, reception is hindered as the antenna is on the window (if you have the metallic type film, see the manual about the warning).
3. what stations(s) do you have poor reception on (since I may live on the same island as you...)?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: New Mexico
Yeah, I have the Alpine 9847 in my xB and the reception sucks. All the radio stations around here suck anyways,
but it would be nice to have a little better reception with my FM modulator for my DVD player.
If anybody could figure out why its like that, it would be great.
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but it would be nice to have a little better reception with my FM modulator for my DVD player.
If anybody could figure out why its like that, it would be great.
___
Last edited by MR_LUV; Sep 2, 2021 at 08:39 PM. Reason: Awarded 15 Yr Badge
Thread Starter
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From: SE Hawaii
Originally Posted by hawaiiguy
1. did you have it tinted?
2. is it tinted with metallic film---if so, reception is hindered as the antenna is on the window (if you have the metallic type film, see the manual about the warning).
3. what stations(s) do you have poor reception on (since I may live on the same island as you...)?
2. is it tinted with metallic film---if so, reception is hindered as the antenna is on the window (if you have the metallic type film, see the manual about the warning).
3. what stations(s) do you have poor reception on (since I may live on the same island as you...)?
2. no
3. most of the time 93.1, 93.9, 104.3. 102.7 has the best reception for some reason.
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From: University Place, WA
Originally Posted by xbox0585
yeah, I have the Alpine 9847 in my xb and the reception sucks. all the radio stations around here suck anyways, but it would be nice to have a little better reception with my fm modulator for my dvd player. if anybody could figure out why its like that, it would be great.
For all you folks with aftermarket head units and poor reception: As I said above, when the new unit was installed the installer probably didn't hook up the power antenna lead from the head unit, and your in-line antenna amplifier is not being powered.
Tom
Tom
(I've also heard of one "professional" installation where the built-in antenna amplifier was completely bypassed by the installer - on that one there was NO hope of decent reception until the amplifier was reconnected and powered.)
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From: University Place, WA
Originally Posted by DJ_SpaRky
Get Sirius, end of problem.
It may get rid of the problem of getting a bunch of 'non-localized' music, news, or whatever, but Sirius, XM, CDs, iPods, DVDs and all the other optional sources can't give you local news, weather, and traffic...
Some folks actually use their radios for more than just entertainment.
Take care,
Tom
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Sirius has local weather & traffic for most metro areas. I was really kinda a joke, I had the same problem, tint related, with my Alpine CDA-9851, I could get any FM recieption at my house at all, I had to drive at least a half hour away to get any, so I got Sirius, end of problem.
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I am glad I read this thread.... My reception in Chicago Suburbs is really good... stock tint, stock HU, etc. etc.
The problem i THOUGHT i was having was those damn defroster lines in the rear side windows weren't working..... [idiot]I guess now I know why... glad I forgot to mention that when I got my oil changed at the dealership earlier this week...[/idiot]
The problem i THOUGHT i was having was those damn defroster lines in the rear side windows weren't working..... [idiot]I guess now I know why... glad I forgot to mention that when I got my oil changed at the dealership earlier this week...[/idiot]
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Just in case anyone who has changed out their head unit and is having trouble with the reception, I followed Tomas' advice and connected the lead for the stock Scion antenna amplifier. There is a Black wire with a Red tracer
that is connected to the Scion wire harness. The blue power antenna wire from the new head unit will connect to the blue wire from the aftermarket wire harness and that in turn will connect to the antenna amplifier.
Here is a a pic:
Thanks Tomas, you ROCK!
__________________
that is connected to the Scion wire harness. The blue power antenna wire from the new head unit will connect to the blue wire from the aftermarket wire harness and that in turn will connect to the antenna amplifier.
Here is a a pic:
Thanks Tomas, you ROCK!
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Last edited by MR_LUV; Sep 2, 2021 at 08:42 PM. Reason: Awarded 15 Yr Badge
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Different head units can make a difference.
I replaced the stock HU with a Pioneer Premiere DEH-P8MP and the reception was horrible. I just replaced that HU with a Pioneer Premiere DEH-P680MP and my reception is super!!!
I replaced the stock HU with a Pioneer Premiere DEH-P8MP and the reception was horrible. I just replaced that HU with a Pioneer Premiere DEH-P680MP and my reception is super!!!
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Just a quick update...after connecting the power antenna lead to the antenna amplifier I am pulling in all kinds of stations! The reception is awesome! Thanks again to Tomas for the inside information. 
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Not for 2006 xBs
Originally Posted by mackie1604
Hey Tomas,
I saw your post and took my car (2006 XB with Alpine CD deck) down to CarToys in Bellevue....
My reception is horrible in Monroe, Everett, Duvall, which was great before the deck was installed.
They said they couldn't find that Black/Red wire and that the schematic doesn't match whats in the 2006 XB (schematic you had was 2004/2005)
Did the 2006 change? What am I missing here...?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Jon Lynn
I saw your post and took my car (2006 XB with Alpine CD deck) down to CarToys in Bellevue....
My reception is horrible in Monroe, Everett, Duvall, which was great before the deck was installed.
They said they couldn't find that Black/Red wire and that the schematic doesn't match whats in the 2006 XB (schematic you had was 2004/2005)
Did the 2006 change? What am I missing here...?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Jon Lynn
I DO NOT have access to a 2006 OR to the 2006 manuals, so I'd just be flying blind, but the 'antenna power' lead from the head unit is PROBABLY still at the same spot in the connector, even if it is a different color wire...
I'll try to dig up some more info and will probably post some more detail on where this lead is in the OLD connector in one of the threads. Since both the old and new head units work in both the old and new xBs, That might help...
Tomas
P.S. Is it OK for me to post this PM in one of the antenna threads, and do you have a preference on which one?
T
There is a good chance the color of the wire in the harness changed, but the wire is still Pin 8 in connector R2 (the blue connector in surfcitylocal's pic just above).
Here's the drawing of the pinout for R2:
With the pic, the schematic, and the drawing of the connector, I hope you or your installer can determine exactly which wire it is, Jon, and let the rest of us know what color it is in the newer xBs. :D
If you can pass that info on to me, I'll be happy to update the schematic with a note of the color change.
(Just for laughs, the tC uses the same head unit and therefore the same connector, but the colors are different from any of the xBs. I haven't looked at the schematic for the xA, bit it would not surprise me to have a third layout there.)
Good luck, all!
Tomas
