Radio Reception
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
Radio Reception
Am I the only one who didn't know that the blue wire on the original radio wiring harness connector is a power boost lead for the antenna in the windshield and without it being powered from the new head unit, mine being an Alpine, reception is extremely limited? No AM. Limited FM. I chased this one for a year. My alpine blue remote antenna wire hooks to it. Oh well. Live and learn! Works great now.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
my 04 ce convertible has a "standard" power antenna in the rear fender and i had no problems (and do not yet have any problems) with my pioneer double din replacement radio. gets great FM and very good AM and excellent sirius (the antenna is hidden behind the A pillar) and great nav signals (that antenna is hidden behind the other A pillar).
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
My antenna is in the windshield. No external antenna. I think the vert does have an external antenna. I thought about it for mine, but AM isn't that important for me. I had no idea I was missing so many FM signals. Powered antenna...... who would have thunk?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
my 04 ce convertible has a "standard" power antenna in the rear fender and i had no problems (and do not yet have any problems) with my pioneer double din replacement radio. gets great FM and very good AM and excellent sirius (the antenna is hidden behind the A pillar) and great nav signals (that antenna is hidden behind the other A pillar).
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,150
Likes: 4,165
From: Kannapolis NC
In a coupe, the am antenna is in the windshield, the fm antenna is in the rear hatch glass. On ALL others, there is a rear mounted external antenna, power telescoping on the convertible and fixed on the FRC and Z06.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
Is the rear antenna powered as well? My FM is way better after putting power to the blue wire.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,150
Likes: 4,165
From: Kannapolis NC
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
My stereo guy used the word "boosted". Isn't there a small current that runs through the remote power antenna wire? I thought it was a trigger wire for an automatic electric antenna? In all my head unit changes, I've never had to use it. I feel sorry for the guys who never change to an aftermarket system. They have no idea what their missing. I've been replacing my systems for 39 years now. I drilled no holes in the C5 and could return it back to stock in an hour. In my club, I'm the only track guy, nitrous guy, and stereo guy. I need a new club!
