Bad antenna reception???

[canadian_ti]

Hey,.. since I installed my Pioneer DEH-P4500MP,.. I've had bad antenna reception,. I had great reception with the original BMW tape deck. I used a european antenna converter to adapt the BMW antenna to fit the Pioneer head unit. Is it possible that the antenna adapter takes alot of reception away or is it most likely the head unit?? Has anyone else had bad reception on FM stations since installing an aftermarket deck??

Thanks,..

[mickd]

The factory antenna has an rf amplifier that needs power going to it. I wiil check later and tell you what lead on the stereo connector supplies it. I think I used the lead from the head unit that powers other devices (amplifier, etc.) for the antenna power.

[canadian_ti]

I bought an aftermarket RF amplifier,.. is it better to use the factory one or just connect the aftermarket unit?

[mickd]

You wouldn't be able to use your aftermarket rf amp because the factory antenna is amplified already, has to have power for it to operate. You will not get any signal from it if there is no power. The reception you are getting now is just from the antenna lead, not the antenna. That's why your reception is bad.

[canadian_ti]

How do I get the factory one to work?

[mickd]

Like I said, I am not at home right now and I will check and tell you later the color of the lead on the connector at the head unit that supplies power to the antenna. just connect this lead to the switched 12VDC coming from your new stereo.

[canadian_ti]

I'll go try to fix it right now and let you know on what I can figure out.
Thanks,..

[canadian_ti]

I have found out which lead connects to the factory rf amp. If I connect it to my Power antenna lead from my new stereo, will that make it work or does it have to be the red switched wire lead?

[mickd]

I would guess either would work, not sure if the "power antenna" lead is for a motor driven antenna or an amplified one. The red switched power lead would work for sure, power stays on this lead as long as the head unit is on, which is what you want.

[aceyx]

if you just installed a head unit, why are you listening to the radio?

i'm not ragging on you, i simply don't get it. traffic reports maybe?

[canadian_ti]

Thanks alot,.. I'll try the power antenna and if it dosen't work i'll go with the other one. You we're a great help,. and btw I listen to the radio because of weather updates and because I get bored of listening to the same CD's over again.

thanks,..

[canadian_ti]

I just checked my install instructions for my Pioneer head unit and it says that the Power Antenna lead is "to system control terminal of the power amp or to Auto-antenna relay control terminal (max. 300mA 12 V DC)",.. i'm thinking this wire's gonna work.

[mickd]

The power antenna lead from your Pioneer will work then. I agree canadian ti, I sometimes get sick of CD's and listen to a local college alternative station or a public station that has talk programs. The stock amplified antenna is a good one, that college station I spoke of is real weak and almost 30 miles away, I have bad reception on most of the radios I own, but recepton is great in the ti. If you have a radio, why not make it work properly? Glad I could help.

[canadian_ti]

I plugged everthing in and it works like a charm. I get stations now that I didn't even know existed. I found 3 new stations, and it didn't cost me a penny.
Thanks again,..

[mickd]

No problem, this is my area of expertise, I am an electronic technician by trade for the last 29 years for a "blue chip" company. I designed and constructed test equipment for 11 years and have been working on state of the art electronics (MRI) for the last 18 years. I went through this whole deal about a year ago, didn't know the antenna was amplified either. The antenna is a Fuba (good German design), seen on alot of VW's too.