Houston Area FM Signals

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Mar 20, 2013 | 07:11 PM

dagrounds1

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From: Deer Park, Texas

Houston Area FM Signals

I can only receive one FM channel in the Houston area on my SG. The problem started after I installed the antenna relocation system so I know it has something to do with that, but I have checked everything several times and can't seem to find anything out of order. Anybody have any troubleshooting tips?

Mar 20, 2013 | 08:22 PM

just plain john

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From: Pasadena TX

I put on a detachable tour pack on my 05 EGC. Lost fm reception except on 93.7. I put an eBay antenna on and reception came back, until an amp install then lost it again. I think a few local stations have high wattage transmitters and you can't help but pick them up

Mar 20, 2013 | 08:35 PM

dagrounds1

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From: Deer Park, Texas

Interesting. I just installed an amp as well. I suppose there could be some interference there. On longer rides I always use my iPod but I would like FM for my shorter rides into work everyday. I would be satisfied with only 93.7. Did you ever find a solution after the amp install or did you just decide to live without FM?

Mar 20, 2013 | 09:06 PM

just plain john

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From: Pasadena TX

No. Still looking for an answer. I have a a couple of threads working.

Mar 21, 2013 | 08:27 AM

UltraNutZ

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From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon

guys.. the bottom line here is when you start fooling with FM reception everything you do from the head unit back to the tip of the antenna makes a difference.

The length of the antenna
the bracket the antenna is mounted on
where it's located
the cable length
cable type
cable diameter
number of connections between head unit and antenna

It all makes a difference.

I completely understand the fact that the SS amp doesn't help matters by sending out it's interference but truly there are other things at work here, not just the SS amp.

I posted this a while back (long before SS amps) about FM reception. Car manufacturers got this bright idea many years ago that they would stop putting regular antennas on cars and started putting them in windshields and back glasses. It didn't take them long to realize that what they thought was such a great idea and a cost saving measure caused a lot of people grief and the complaints ensued. Look at the vehicles these days.. There are no (or very very few) in glass-antennas anymore. They are either back to the whip style antennas, or the little shark fin looking antennas mounted to car roofs or trunks. And then to further that, the shark fin antennas are +12v powered, meaning amplified.

I really wish someone would look at or try the powered amplified antenna boosters to see if that helps the situation.

Mar 21, 2013 | 10:23 AM

just plain john

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From: Pasadena TX

I am going to try the booster, I'll report my findings.

Mar 23, 2013 | 11:35 AM

dagrounds1

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From: Deer Park, Texas

After reading Ultra's post above I decided to play around with a few things. I disconnected the antenna cable from the connection down by the left side saddlebag and ran it straight to the antenna. So now, instead of using the antenna relocation bracket, I simply have the antenna cable connected together under the seat. Happy to say that my FM reception is really good again.....