Radio appears to have reception problem.

Submitted: Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 20:44
ThreadID: 101972 Views:2223 Replies:8 FollowUps:10
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My 18 month old radio is not holding a station for very long. The vehicle is 20months old, and I replaced the original radio with something supposedly a lot better.

First noticed a problem on AM when travelling from Scone to Murrurundi, 40km.

Normally I can hold the local ABC for up to 80km (Quirindi). However I'm now lucky to hold the station for 20 km. Even Fm is now giving the same problem.

Any suggestions as to what has gone wrong.

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Reply By: Ross M - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:21

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:21
Boo Boo

What brand is it? Huang Zao electric maybe?

It is not uncommon for modern radios/head units to be lacking in radio reception. I believe many are made with the Ipod, usb, Blue TEETH, and Phone control as the focus of their features. "Just say the word and it will play it for you".
This means some radio sensitivity may not be really important to the people who want the above features and so reception isn't a priority in manufacture as it used to be many years ago.

I have a radio out of a1986 Landcruiser which outperforms all modern stuff.

The sensitivity is usually shown as a Milli or micro volts in the specs of the unit.
From memory the lower the Mv means it will interpret an incoming signal ie better sensitivity than one which has a higher figure. I think I got that right. long time since I looked.

Worth a check of this if you can find the specs of the unit and compare against others.

I don't know of anyone who bothers to do this though.

Could be an aerial problem if this is not a factor, possibly connector fault or outer shield not earthing very well.

You can always check the inner core/pin to the tip of the aerial with a ohm meter to check continuity and insulation from the outer shield.

Ross M
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil 'n Jill (WA) - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:28

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:28
I queried the same issue with local car radio retailer recently & he was adamant a decent aerial would overcome the problem.

Most radios these days seem to be adequate in built up areas, but hopeless out of town - not like the old Ferris which picked up reception hundreds of miles out (depending on atmospheric conditions).

Yair I know - that was back in the days of the HR Holden era.

Cheers - Phil
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Follow Up By: Ross M - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 22:54

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 22:54
G'day Phil

I wouldn't think most car radio retailers wouldn't know about sensitivity or even what it was or is. They have absolutely no control over it and merely sell what is imported for them to unload.
As a result of this they would normally just go to the aerial solution advice instead of facing the possible problem of the set being CRAP.

Just as long as you can get your chunes rockin good at 200 or 400 or more watts.

Cheers
Ross M
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Reply By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:45

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:45
G'day fella's

I have had really great reception until just recently.

I have just gone outside to the car to check the make and it's a Pioneer.

I'm a bit of a stickler for a brand that I have had a good run from, hence the Pioneer.



AnswerID: 510165

Reply By: Geoff in SA - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:50

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:50
Hey Boo Boo

its time tto DOWNGRADE to the original radio.

Or maybe one of those old valve models that were available.
They pulled in anything

AnswerID: 510167

Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:58

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 21:58
G'day Geoff

Yeh, well I do have a couple of old 12v valve radios and one 6v one at home, but I would like to get this bugger working properly. LOL

Besides they are to bulky.

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Follow Up By: Ross M - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 23:00

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 23:00
Boo Boo
If you find a 2011 Dmax or around that year, crashed of course, they have a small powered aerial input amplifier situated just under the radio aerial on the roof. It is in the base and supplied with 12v power.

One of these from a crashed vehicle might help your system.

Identify, Adapt, Overcome.

Cheers
Ross M
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Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 13:50

Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 13:50
G'day Ross

It's funny you should mention a 2011 Dmax cause thats what I've got.

Someone mentioned pulling the radio out and checking the plug has not become loose. Will do that tomorrow as wifey wants her hand rails put back on the front verandah. LOL

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Reply By: cookie1 - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 22:43

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 22:43
What year make & model is the car? I have heard of some new cruiser owners having issues with antennas - they are built into the windscreen I believe.

cheers
AnswerID: 510169

Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 13:52

Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 13:52
Ahhh,, Cookie

I wish I could afford a new cruiser, but we better not go there.

Its a 2011 Dmax.
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 22:46

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 22:46
I've found over the years that the standard Toyota radio's are usually the best for long distance reception, usually outperforming most aftermarket units. Quite often with most vehicles the standard radio will have better reception than a fitted aftermarket unit.
The best aftermarket units are the Pioneer units with the "supertuner" front end.
Funnily enough quite often the older units are often better than the latest and greatest, as a previous poster said check the sensitivity (in millivolts) to compare units.
Most modern units are biased towards playing digital music from phones, usb etc rather then radio reception.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 13:55

Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 13:55
Thanks Peter

Now you tell me. LOL

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Reply By: rocco2010 - Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 23:08

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 23:08
Gidday

The standard radio in my Ford Ranger is probably as good as any i have experienced and better than many out in the bush. It has a pull out antenna mounted on the A-pillar, far better i think for pulling in the signal than in-glass jobbies on luxury 4WDs.

Cheers
AnswerID: 510171

Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 13:57

Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 13:57
G'day Rocco2010

Mine sits just above the A pillar on the roof, so I don't think thats the problem.

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Reply By: Member - Wayne N (QLD) - Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 09:21

Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 09:21
Hi Boo Boo,
Just check the bleeding obvious - check that the aerial connector at the back of the radio has just not fallen (or nearly) fallen out or become disconnected. They sometimes are a bit of a snap in, and if not originally pushed in hard enough, may have rattled out over time.

Seems strange a reasonable brand radio so quickly loses reception even given all the other comments.

Wayne
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Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 14:00

Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 14:00
Thanks Wayne

I will check tomorrow.

I think I've still got those little flat bits of metal you slip down the side of the radio to pull it out.

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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 09:51

Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 09:51
Gday Tony,
I guess I'd look at the aerial first - given it's mounted in the RH rear quarter glass of your 200series. If you fit the incorrect tint, you can stuff it up, and I guess you also have to make sure you don't put on aluminium shades etc over that piece of glass - I'm making up some corflute shades for mine.

Assuming thats OK, then I'd buy a $20 spring mounted amplified Aerpro antenna and mount it on the bullbar and see if that helps. If it does, then keep it! But I also wonder why the antenna is at the back of the vehicle and I guess it might be to reduce electronic noise.

Cheers
phil
AnswerID: 510184

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 23:08

Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 23:08
Sorry BooBoo,
Mistaken identity!!!!!
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