Boosting FM radio reception?
 

I tried a search and didn't really pull anything up on the topic. Is there any way that I can increase the power of my FM receiver so I can get radio stations from down in Washington (ie. KUBE 93)? I can't exactly afford a deck upgrade or XM radio, and since I have a stock stereo system with only a tape player, I'm only limited to as much music on my MP3 player using my cassette adapter or the mostly shitty radio in Vancouver. If it can't be done, then I understand.

Thanks in advance for any solutions.

No. Sorry.

^Alright. I suppose something like that couldn't be done. Thanks for the input; looks like I gotta start looking around for a decent but cheap deck.

Well first you have to ask what kind of car, what kind of antenna. If you car has antenna that is on the windshield or a broken antenna, there are certainly room for improvement.

You also should mention your travel route etc. Contact your local HAM radio group eg UBC Brock hall and ask nicely, they should be able to point to you to the right direction.. or local HAM radio stores.

If it's anything like the stock antenna on my Honda, it's the design of the antenna.

Reception sucks ass regardless of deck. I put up a temporary external antenna and reception was night and day. No way I'm cutting a hole in the car for better reception, though.

Changing your deck isn't going to help you get fm stations from so far away. Its more of a broadcast range issue and for you to pickup such weak signals you will need one really tall and long aerial.

What I meant by changing my deck was that I could run an MP3 player out of the AUX rather than use my stock tape player.

Otherwise, I drive a 1987 Toyota Cressida with an antenna that doesn't extend likely due to a burnt out motor.

I might be on crack here but what if you took a VW Antenna adapter that is amplified and put standard motorola ends on it. Would that amplify your reception? I cant find schematics for that piece so I"m not sure exactly how it works. Is that adapter an amplifier in itself or does it power an amplifier that is built into a VW's antenna.

I've just been told that it actualy powers an amp built into the VW so it wont work for that purpose. Sorry.
Crack it is.

that would have helped to know.................

This is ridiculous, but you could hook it up to a bigger antenna. Maybe one from a huge GM truck Lol

just wait a few more years...maybe by then, there will be better integration of web streaming radio w/ car audio...it'll probably come in the form of an iphone or smartphone...

Not true. Especially compared to the crappy stock deck in that Cressida, most aftermarket decks will likely have a lot better reception, especially for FM.

When I was installing at A&B's SE Marine store some... wow, 20 years ago... Pioneer had just released their SuperTuner III decks. First one I put in a car, I fired it up to test it... and even without the antenna connected, I was pulling in CFMI and the FOX crystal-clear. And mind you, the Marine Dr. store was in a terrible place for reception to begin with, as the Mt. Seymour-located transmitters were blocked by the south slopes. Once I connected the antenna, I was pulling in KISW (99.9 Seattle) as clearly as if it were right there in town.

To the OP: see if you can find an old Pioneer SuperTuner III deck on fleaBay or craigscam, see if that doesn't improve things right off the top.

More importantly, though: get your antenna repaired or replaced (preferably the latter). Most power antennas can be replaced with a fixed model without too much hassle... or go to an auto wrecker and find a direct replacement (try Pick-A-Part). That alone will improve your reception tenfold.

And even if the antenna itself is intact, a poor ground at its mounting point can REALLY affect your signal strength and noise level. Sometimes just pulling the base out, scrubbing the metal down with a wire brush, and then re-fastening it tightly with clean, un-rusted screws can make a world of difference.