C5 Radio reception
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Chantilly VA
C5 Radio reception
I've checked the threads and can't find any complaints about radio reception in the C5 coups. I have a '99 and have never been happy about the radio reception. My other cars seem to pickup local stations without much static, but my vette's reception isn't very clear (a fair amount of static). I live in northern VA where I should get great reception. Anyone else notice this? Could I have a loose antenna connection, or is this symptomatic of the vette's in-glass antenna?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 23,234
Likes: 4
From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Make sure that both antennas connections are snug. There is a antenna in the front window and on the top of the rear window.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 23,234
Likes: 4
From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by SLVette
Thanks Zilla. . . Are these connections on the back of the radio, are they somewhere on the glass panels(or both)? I guess you'd have to pull the stereo out to check, huh?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,887
Likes: 2
From: Macomb MI
St. Jude Contributor
Unfortunately the coupes antena is built into the glass, unlike the convertible or the Z06 that come with their own exterior antenas. Check your local stereo shop, they might be able to install some sort of booster. 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 1
From: www.Z16.org Western NY
When my coupe had that problem it was because the antenna came unpluged.
Look behind the drivers seat, under the carpet, and you will find a Y connection where the 2 antennas come together.
My bet is it came apart.
My coupe has excellent reception and I live in the sticks as far as radio towers go.
Look behind the drivers seat, under the carpet, and you will find a Y connection where the 2 antennas come together.
My bet is it came apart.
My coupe has excellent reception and I live in the sticks as far as radio towers go.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery IL
The problem is the in glass antenna, not a loose connection. Twice I asked to have it looked at during visits to the shop for other matters. Both times, from different dealers, I was told no problems. I live in the Chicago area and have much better reception with my other two cars, but the vette simply does not pick up as many stations. The people who respond "I have no problems" either do not listen to all available stations, or all available stations must have a strong signal in the first place. For the people who have no problems, does the vette actually pickup every station as well as your other cars. Have you actually checked every station? I have.
It does pick up stations, however definitely not as many. Throughtout the years here on the forum, I have seen many others complain about the same thing.
Question : Is it possible to connect an ordinary antenna and have it installed somewhere inside the car? Seeing as how the car is fiberglass, seems like there would not be much signal loss.
I just think getting rid of the original antenna would help considerably.
It does pick up stations, however definitely not as many. Throughtout the years here on the forum, I have seen many others complain about the same thing.
Question : Is it possible to connect an ordinary antenna and have it installed somewhere inside the car? Seeing as how the car is fiberglass, seems like there would not be much signal loss.
I just think getting rid of the original antenna would help considerably.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,287
Likes: 786
From: Naples Florida
Originally Posted by Sponge Vette
Unfortunately the coupes antena is built into the glass, unlike the convertible or the Z06 that come with their own exterior antenas. Check your local stereo shop, they might be able to install some sort of booster.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 23,234
Likes: 4
From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by BrightRed C5 SWFL
Thats why my reception sucks. Its in the freakin windshield. Good design GM.
my reception is great in my coupe
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Altus OK
Originally Posted by SLVette
I've checked the threads and can't find any complaints about radio reception in the C5 coups. I have a '99 and have never been happy about the radio reception. My other cars seem to pickup local stations without much static, but my vette's reception isn't very clear (a fair amount of static). I live in northern VA where I should get great reception. Anyone else notice this? Could I have a loose antenna connection, or is this symptomatic of the vette's in-glass antenna?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 0
From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Originally Posted by SLVette
...but my vette's reception isn't very clear (a fair amount of static). I live in northern VA where I should get great reception. Anyone else notice this? Could I have a loose antenna connection, or is this symptomatic of the vette's in-glass antenna?
Might be a poor antennea connection or, maybe, the receivers are stronger in the later model years.
I now have a 2002 vert and the reception is just as good.
HTH.
Jeff
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
I live in leesburg and drive all over- I hear what you are saying. I do not think it is the antenna- I think it is the actual tuner in the stereo. I have purchased a new one and hope to have it installed this week.
From previous experience I can tell you that the power of a tuner in a stereo to actually "bring in" the signal makes a difference. Since the stock stereo is lacking in so many other area's I will chalk this problem up to the head unit as well.
Will advise once new system is installed.
From previous experience I can tell you that the power of a tuner in a stereo to actually "bring in" the signal makes a difference. Since the stock stereo is lacking in so many other area's I will chalk this problem up to the head unit as well.
Will advise once new system is installed.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Chantilly VA
Odd that some people claim good reception and other not! I have the upgraded stock Bose (although that's not saying much), and I've checked the front and rear windshield connections - they seem to be okay.
XLR8IN - You mention a Y connector behind seat - I can't seem to locate it. Can you be more descriptive on location? I kind of doubt that's the problem cause reception isn't that bad, but it's worth a check.
Epicshooter - Pls keep me posted on the new stereo head.
XLR8IN - You mention a Y connector behind seat - I can't seem to locate it. Can you be more descriptive on location? I kind of doubt that's the problem cause reception isn't that bad, but it's worth a check.
Epicshooter - Pls keep me posted on the new stereo head.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Tx
Radio Reception
I have a 2000 convertible and it has the external antenna and the reception is awful. I live in San Antonio and it won't even pick up half the local stations. Wish there was a simple fix to this. So, you aren't alone.