I've seen posts related to reception issues on a coupe, but can't really find anything that addresses a roadster with similar issues. When I first got the car, I noticed an aftermarket "stubby" antenna was installed. FM reception was ok but some stations that should come in clear fade in and out. My real problem is AM reception. Yes, call me crazy, but I'm a huge STL Cardinals fan and enjoy listening to Cardinal baseball on KMOX radio which is one of the strongest signals in the entire midwest. This stereo will not pick up a single am station! I switched back to the original antenna (which actually has improved the FM reception), but still no luck on the AM side. Any thoughts? I would really rather keep the original stereo intact if at all possible.

 

Mine is ridiculous...anytime I pass by a power line...crunchy crunch.

I am looking at replacement decks...but the silver/aluminum look of the entire dash is an issue...

What about a popup deck with navigation.???

anyone?

 

I am on my second 05 Roadster and both have/had factory Nav heads in them.

While they are susceptible to noise like all AM receivers, I can listen to a LOT more AM radio in the Roadsters than my Ford Van. Not sure how bad yours is, but I know that at night when propagation gets real good, I listen to WJR Detroit here in middle Georgia with no problem.

During the day, the local stations (that is, those within 50 miles) are not a problem. Both of mine have the factory OEM antennas. Might be time to start checking how well the antenna cable it plugged into the back AND that the antenna is securely tightened.

 

pretty bad on the reception. 25miles is pretty sketchy and further than that is out of the question. Also, I can't save any of the stations to memory.

 

Pizzaguy. I have to believe that's the case. I've checked the antenna end and all seems very secure. However, I have no idea how to go about checking the head unit and the connection there. Is that a complex effort?

 

You can pull the head unit out with the tool you can get from WalMart or Advance Auto for under $5 - quite easy, really.

Sorry I just saw this now.

 

Problem solved. I pulled the unit revealing the Sirius satellite radio wiring that existed from the previous owner, and reconnected in the original fashion. I now have AM radio reception!! My biggest challenge was getting the unlocking keys to release, but eventually figured it out. The reception is so much better, that I'm now back to my "stubby" antenna with no loss of reception quality whatsoever.