Audio Systems: poor radio reception, poor radio reception, pontiac trans sport

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I have 95 Pontiac Trans sport.  Cd player was not working properly and then the radio reception got very poor.  Bought an after market jvc deck (am/fm cd)  Cd works fine but radio reception ( am and fm ) is still poor.  Purchased and installed a new inexpensive antenna from Radio Shack.  Reception is a little better but still very poor.  Lots of static.  Where do I go from here?  Thanks for your help...
Answer -
Hello Don,
What stations are you trying to receive, AM-FM? How does the radio work with the key in the ACC position? Also are you plugging the antenna
directly into the antenna jack on the stereo itself?


TOM,
T&D


Good Morning Tom,
I am trying to receive Am and Fm without much luck.  I do get some reception although it is very poor for both am and fm.  I have plugged the new antenna directly to the jack on the stereo although I had to buy an extension cable to reach to the deck.  5 feet of cable wasn't enough.  I don't know what you are referring to when you mentioned whether or not the key was in the ACC position.  Please advise.
Answer -
Don,
What I meant about ACC, was the engine running, key on or was the ignition in the Accessory (ACC) position. I ask this because the engine computer/s can generate all kinds of electrical noise. All kinds of factors can make the reception poor. One is the area in which you live and if you live near high voltage transmission lines. Do you receive any radio stations (AM or FM) clearly? By the way how is the reception with the key in the ACC position?
TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net

The reception is identical with the engine turned off.  My truck has perfect reception am and fm.  I get one fm station which comes in very clearly.  We have a local am station which should be perfectly clear and is clear in my truck but the van still comes in with a fair bit of noise (crackling).
Thanks again.  Hope you can offer me some guidance.
Answer -
Don,
The radio reception should come in as good as your other vehicle even with the after market stereo. Some kind of outside interference may be the cause of the reception problem. It is hard to exactly pinpoint your problem without actually seeing/hearing it for myself. The weak reception in the van (crackling) could be due to a defective or poor receiver in the aftermarket stereo!

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS

I noticed this weekend that when I put my hand on the rubber antenna the reception for both am and fm came in much improved.  Does that mean there is something that can be done with the antenna itself to improve reception?

Answer
Hello Don,
When you mentioned Rubber antenna, I believe this is the cause of poor reception. These rubber antennas are only good for local station reception such as in or very near the city where the transismitters are located. To have the best reception I can suggest that you install an electric telescoping antenna to get the antenna up as high above the roof of your vehicle as possible when the radio is turned on.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net