Poor FM Reception
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Huntley IL
Poor FM Reception
I originally had a Kenwood DNX-7160 installed professionally. I decided that I did not like the slower interface so I recently upgraded to the new DNX-9990. Well for some reason the FM reception on the 9990 is not as good as the 7160 and I cannot understand why. The Kenwood harness is exactly the same except for 3 wires from the 7160 to the 9990. Those a 1 blue/red that says relay and a cam + and a cam - in green. The blue wire goes to my pac harness and the blue/white runs to my Alpine amp. I'm getting not HD channels on the FM side and the seek function skips from 90.5 all the way to 103.9 in the Chicago area. I'm missing about 5 major stations.
Anyone got any thoughts as to why this is?
Anyone got any thoughts as to why this is?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Is there a setting on the new HU that would turn remote antenna voltage on/off? Make sure it's set to on so the oem antenna module is getting power (if I'm properly understanding how you hooked it up).
If everything is conected and set up properly, one of these would help.
If everything is conected and set up properly, one of these would help.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Huntley IL
Any idea where I might find that setting if it exists?? When I re-hookup my 7160 it gets more stations so something must be diff. I had Dennis send me another 9990 just in case and it's the same.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
I don't know if there is a setting or not, but if there is it should be set to turn on the voltage. It may always be on.
The blue wire needs to somehow be connected to the wire at B3 of the oem harness to turn on the factory antenna module. If you didn't change any wires from the original Kenwood, it probably is. You could try bypassing the pac to see if it helps.
The blue wire needs to somehow be connected to the wire at B3 of the oem harness to turn on the factory antenna module. If you didn't change any wires from the original Kenwood, it probably is. You could try bypassing the pac to see if it helps.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Huntley IL
I don't know if there is a setting or not, but if there is it should be set to turn on the voltage. It may always be on.
The blue wire needs to somehow be connected to the wire at B3 of the oem harness to turn on the factory antenna module. If you didn't change any wires from the original Kenwood, it probably is. You could try bypassing the pac to see if it helps.
The blue wire needs to somehow be connected to the wire at B3 of the oem harness to turn on the factory antenna module. If you didn't change any wires from the original Kenwood, it probably is. You could try bypassing the pac to see if it helps.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Look for the setting on your radio for source level adjustment, it's actually labeled as SLA on Pioneer's. Adjust the one that's low up a few notches, then see how they all compare.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte North Carolina
I had a PDX-5 hooked up to a Kenwood 9140 in my previous 07. FM reception was horrible as well. Actually bought aa amplified FM antenna and installed it at top of the windshield. This seemed to be a little better. Some Class D amps seem to have that effect on FM reception. On another note I had a class D amp in an Infiniti G35 and FM was terrible. I replaced the amp with an A/B amp and FM reception was perfect. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Huntley IL
Thanks. I'm pretty sure the amp is having some effect on fm reception. My problem is the system was made to be stealth as I wanted the amp in the rear cubby hole. I cannot find a a/b amp that will fit there. So if I go to another D amp am I going to have same issue? Or are some D amps better than others in the area. What spec would I be looking at if any to weed out the better ones?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 18
From: Chicago Illinois
St. Jude Donor '12
After having my trunk latch assembly replaced, my radio reception is bad. I know the tech had to remove a ground wire to replace the latch. Where is the antenna behind the bumper? What does it look like? Can I see it if I remove a brake light? Any help is appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 18
From: Chicago Illinois
St. Jude Donor '12
Oh yeah, and so as not to totally thread hijack, I have two arc audio mini amps (ks500.1 and ks125.4) insalled in the passenger footwell in place of the stock amp. This location is great for a stealth install, but the area is very tight and removing the amps to make adjustments to the lower amp is a chore. Rick at Raam Audio can set you up with the amps and a custom bracket to do the install.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
