Terrible Radio Signal

[nintenjo]

My radio suffers from probably the worst signal I’ve ever known in a car (constant static, choppy signal and lots of clicks in built up areas).

Is that fairly typical? I assume it has an integrated aerial around the windscreen or similar? Is there any way to check or improve it?

Only other issue o suspect, Someone has fitted an old iPod adapter to the back of the head unit so also suspect it could be poor / cross wiring? (Although I’m terrified to see what a mess of wires it is back there).

If I remove this old iPod adapter is there a recommended modern spec unit I could fit to support my iPhone (lightening port) instead for music playback?

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sKenDread]

I've tried looking for the source of the static. It could just be down to cold solder joins. Which in that case could be a very deep rabbit hole. But alas still not found it.

I use Connects2 which is a Bluetooth audio adapter. It works fine. Many others use Bluetooth adapters of various brands.

FM adapters are also an option although those do tend to pick up the static.

A cheap but effective 3mm audio cable adapter also works. Even like the £5 one found on eBay or Alibaba etc...

The static tends to only effect radio so yeah it could be to do with the antenna side of the chain.

I'm assuming due to the fact you have an adapter installed, you have a compatible head unit

08 231 West Midlands

[sKenDread]

Here you go

https://gromaudio.co.uk/products/blueto ... n-kit.html

http://www.connects2.co.uk/products/usb ... icle/Mazda

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/328221798 ... 1743fc6876

08 231 West Midlands

[Plan3tBob]

The aerial is two of the wires that aren't heating elements in the rear screen.

There are couple of likely causes for your problem, which isn't typical;
- the tuner units has been disturbed and the aerial connection not plugged-in properly, it may even have fallen out completely
- there's a filter unit under the parcel shelf that prevents interference when the heated rear window is switched on. This can fail or get damaged.

[350matt]

most of the time my radio signal is fine

with the exception of radio 1, which is odd as normally its the strongest signal of the lot

I'm considering adding this gizmo to mine so I can add a 2nd aerial and run it to the front of the car under the bumper


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dual-Car-Aer ... 1438.l2649

and then this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electronic-A ... :rk:7:pf:0

[Plan3tBob]

If your car has a fault with its radio reception it would make more sense to fix the fault rather than bolting more bits on to work around the problem.

Has the head unit been disturbed/removed/replace at any time?

Have you run the on-board diagnostics for the audio system?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=35629

• Workshop Manual
  BODY & ACCESSORIES
  ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC[AUDIO]

[350matt]

Well thing is Dave all other stations are fine

hence my thoughts of trying a 2nd aerial

I suppose your radio reception is always perfect?

[warpc0il]

I don't listen to Radio 1

[sKenDread]

Yeah a filter could/will mask the noise. But the root of the noise is still causing the problem. I'm a bit of an audiophile so I wouldn't do that personally.

That being said the radio bandwidth is very narrow in comparison to even an MP3 and I'm running Android Bluetooth ( filtered already from androids internal audio libraries) to Connects2 so I kinda sound like a hypocrite

I do notice more noise especially on BBC 1, it's most likely the frequency they're broadcasting on compared to the other stations.

I think it would be interesting if you did find the root of your issue which sounds like most of us here. This could be helpful for others looking to resolve this.

I hardly listen to the radio now. CD if you want clarity and Bluetooth or cabled if you want more audio/communication options


08 231 West Midlands

[Plan3tBob]

My radio suffers from probably the worst signal I’ve ever known in a car (constant static, choppy signal and lots of clicks in built up areas).

Is that fairly typical? I assume it has an integrated aerial around the windscreen or similar? Is there any way to check or improve it?

Only other issue o suspect, Someone has fitted an old iPod adapter to the back of the head unit so also suspect it could be poor / cross wiring? (Although I’m terrified to see what a mess of wires it is back there).

If I remove this old iPod adapter is there a recommended modern spec unit I could fit to support my iPhone (lightening port) instead for music playback?

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How did you get on with your radio. My radio also has terrible reception.

I'll certainly give the advice above a go too.

[hogesar]

My reception is non existent but only if the heated rear window is on - which warp mentioned above!

[New Duke]

Guys it could be as simple as your aerial having been damaged when 'someone' cleaned the rear window on the inside. The owners manual warns about it. Everyone's read the owners manual, right?

Simplest solution is just to stream internet radio anyway. My radio signal is great, but I fitted a new headunit a couple of weeks ago and didn't even bother plugging the antenna in, I use it so rarely.

EDIT: Also keep in mind that FM has always been noisy. But maybe your hearing is more attuned to picking it up in this world of digital music.

SIDE NOTE: Not that I'm saying a bad word against the RX8 sound system itself. Feed uncompressed music via a decent headunit directly to the BOSE amp and it sounds excellent (and why I'm always sceptical when people 'upgrade' the RX8 speakers and amp or add a sub). But FM is just nasty.

[Freeman38]

Does the noise go away when you wind the window down? If it does it means you have a bad earth, and by instigating the window your creating another path to earth.

[350matt]

Well I've tried my 1st solution of adding an aerial 'splitter' and then the adding a 2nd aerial to the port
the 2nd aerial was one of those 'hidden' type you stick to the glass and power with 12V supply

now the radio did not work at all like this
running the original aerial into the radio via the splitter - that works fine
but interestingly enough the head unit radio doesn't work at all with this new powered hidden radio even when it plugged in on its own

now maybe my new aerial is just cheap rubbish but does the Bose stereo need to have a matched frequency or something similar for the radio to work?

alternatively should just forget FM and fit a DAB device like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Wireless ... 1438.l2649