Car Stereos: Reception issues, 1996 ford thunderbird, reception fades

Question
QUESTION: I have a used Pioneer DEH-P2900MP that i recently installed - followed everything to a t and it gets crappy reception (fades in and out on local station)- then installed a used Dual XDM-6820  and it works better but still fades a little on my favorite station - whats wrong?

ANSWER: Hi Kory,

Can you tell me the year, make and model of your vehicle?

Thanks

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1996 Ford Thunderbird - i dont think i damaged the cars antenna because i still pull in a variety of FM stations (some not real good)and i even get AM stations pretty good so i am lost as to what the problem is.Plus an antenna replacement would cost a bundle I'm sure.

Answer
Hi Kory,

I asked about the vehicle because there are some cars that have in-glass aerials with built-in amplifiers, and other vehicles that require adapters to make the antenna plug fit the new head unit.  Both of these sometimes cause problems with after-market head unit installations, but your car doesn't fall into either of these groups, so my usual easy answers don't apply.

I have sometimes seen problems with late-90's Ford vehicles with front-fender aerials.  Water tends to find its way into the antenna mount, and seeps into the antenna cable.  This causes corrosion at all the exposed antenna connections, and sometimes causes multiple small breaks in the center conductor in the coaxial cable.  The result is intermittent reception problems.  I've seen this often in the full-size trucks, Ranger, and Explorer models; I don't really recall seeing it in the Thunderbird, but I don't see as many of those as I see trucks and SUV's.  One sign of this problem is a rusted or corroded connection at the factory radio antenna plug.

The fact that you're having the same trouble with two consecutive head units really makes me think that the antenna, or antenna cable, is the source of the problem.  You're right that replacing the factory antenna is likely to be costly, not least because of its front-fender position.  If you wanted, you could just install a universal after-market antenna in the rear fender position; this would be almost a do-it-yourself project.  You'd have to use a holesaw to make a 1" hole in a flat area of the rear fender, going into the trunk area.  The antenna mounts right on the fender, filling and sealing the hole; then you can just extend the antenna cable under the carpet and along the door sill to the radio location.  

Hope this helps!

Brian