poor FM radio reception --- anyone else?

[fendertweed]

we have an '05 Matrix XRS w/ upgraded (JBL?) system ... VERY poor FM reception range, my Audi pulls in stations some 50-80 miles from DC, on the Matrix I get spotty reception only 20 miles or so away...

anyone else get poor FM reception? Any issues or fixes I should know about?

Thanks,
Jon

[Smar969905]

i dont tend to have the best reception in my 03 XRS either. i think it has something to do with the antenna and the length of it. i offer 2 different fixes, that dont really fix the problem so much as hide it. first, play CDs all the time. this way you skip out on commercials. second, either connect an ipod directly to the deck or get an FM transmitter that plugs into your ipod from ebay for about $10-15 and use your ipod.

sorry i am no real help.

[mandiees]

I have this problem as well - I find it works well though when I am using my iPod hooked into the FM tuner.

[Smar969905]

i just got an FM transmitter that plugs into my ipod. i havent experimented with it much yet, but even that seems to have a poor signal.

[D Rock]

I also have an 05 XRS with the JBL upgrade, and have often thought that the reception was really bad. I have connected an iPod adapter to the back of the radio, which is great, but I like to listen to sports and talk radio often, at which point the iPod doesn't help.

I question if the issue is the head unit or the antennae. I happen to know someone who is an engineer with Harmon Becker (who makes the JBL head unit). I will get his opinion and report back (He will be honest with me too, not the company line).

Rocks

[Smar969905]

from what i have read and heard, i think it is the antenna.

[fendertweed]

Originally Posted by D Rock

I also have an 05 XRS with the JBL upgrade, and have often thought that the reception was really bad. I have connected an iPod adapter to the back of the radio, which is great, but I like to listen to sports and talk radio often, at which point the iPod doesn't help.

I question if the issue is the head unit or the antennae. I happen to know someone who is an engineer with Harmon Becker (who makes the JBL head unit). I will get his opinion and report back (He will be honest with me too, not the company line).

Rocks

Thanks, I'd appreciate hearing that... I'm not sure that it's the antenna length, the antenna is not much different than the one on my Audi A6 wagon and that gets me FM reception for 80-90 miles out of DC on stations that the Matrix XRS starts wavering on at 20 miles out.

I have an XM receiver connected in thru the Aux, but the point of my question is not to find alternate sources (I don't have an iPod, not that interested in getting one right now) but to figure out how to get better reception of the programs I want on the FM in the Matrix.

Thanks for checking & let us know what you find out.... maybe I'll see if my spare Audi antenna will fit the Matrix antenna base & what that does to reception...

Jon

[D Rock]

I did talk to this friend of mine. First, I should correct myself, Harmon Becker does not make the Head Unit. They make the JBL speakers that are in it, but Toyota specs the head unit from another supplier. He said that he did not know for sure, but that he would not be surprised if it were the head unit. It sounds like Toyota has introduced some lower cost head unit suppliers in the past few years, and they are starting to hear complaints about the performance of these less expensive units.

I know that some people on here have replaced their antenna with one of the "shark fin" antennas. One of them may be able to comment if that hurt/improved their reception.

D Rock

[Frank@toronto]

The Shark Fin Antenna will reduce your reception, since it's a shorter antenna (i.e. less gain).