Is there a way to improve FM radio reception?
 

Hello,

I am pretty new to the forum. Had my 2010 Fit for about a year now.

I seem to get pretty spotty FM reception of my local public radio station. The station's signal is probably not the strongest, but I didn't have a problem picking it up cleanly in my previous car.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to improve the FM reception on the Fit. Are there longer antennae available or something along those lines?

Any help would be much appreciated!

haha, the silence is deafening. Anyone?

Most people here look for shorter antennae. I, for one, almost never use the FM/AM radio, instead using my iPod (no commercials!).

But I think you can find longer antennae if you look. I have no idea where though.

Antennas.....
 

I too would like to know the answer to this question. The short stubby antennas are just the fashion now, and some are rediculously expensive. I think it would be a great find if a replacement antenna increases radio reception. Some of us like to travel to rural areas(like national parks) and would appreciate better reception. I think a longer antenna would work better if one could be found.


Bump for a good question. :popc:

I live on top of a hill in a rural area and can pick up FM stations on a 17 year old Sony jam box but that is thing I can without a roof mounted antenna... I have been looking around for a long antenna for my Fit and believe there is one that fits a recent VWs that works... I think that Saved has one on his Fit... Ask Hootie because he seems to know about this kind of thing...... If I can find something out I will post it here.

^^ Yup.

According to Saved, he had a 2008 VW Rabbit antennae on his GD that improved his reception. I personally haven't had a chance to hear/see/compare the difference since he sold his GD before I got a chance to see it.

sorry I don't have a solution, but I will concur that the Fit has poorer radio reception than other cars (such as my 2001 Civic with the rear windshield embedded antenna).

Have a 2008 Fit and we like to listen to public radio but on long trips finding the stations became a hassle. We have delphi's xm to go receiver and are able to listen to all the classical music we want with out having to switch stations all the time!

With Pandora, XM, phone connectivity, etc... I can see stock radios dropping in radio quality while other features increase.

you could try a signal booster but I don't have much faith in them. Larger antenna I think is likely your best bet but no guarantees.

~SB

I've tried a long antenna and the Matrix/VW/Mini Cooper antenna and they're all so close as to being indistinguishable. I THOUGHT the really long one was slightly better than stock, but it looked pretty ridiculous. It was a universal 30"er with various thread adapters. Then I got the Matrix antenna from ebay and THOUGHT that it was sightly better than the long one. Then I put the stock one back on and it was so close as to be maybe all psychologically placebo. Still looking for a significantly better solution. For now, the Matrix is on the Fit. Someone mentioned trying a Metra rear window style antenna. Waiting to hear if thats any better. What really works is to get your favorite station to boost its signal. :D

I've put a SharkFin on and it seems fine. Same as stock I would say.

Back to the OP. I know around here public radio signals have there weak spots. I'm guessing you're comparing to you other car though.

Seems like a longer antenna doesn't make that much of a difference from what you are saying. That's a shame, because i was hoping it would be a quick fix like that.

Yeah, i know public radio stations dont have the best broadcasting strength on the FM, but I literally live no more than 35 miles away from one in Manhattan. Also never used to have a slightest bit of a problem in my previous car, which was a Subaru and had that back window built in antenna.

I live relatively close to several broadcasting FM stations so there's usually around four I enjoy that come in with good reception. Would my reception be noticeably compromised if I picked up a T1R short antenna (or similar item) in the future? If Kardinal's shark fin is fine than it may not be an issue..

radio reception
 

My reception was significantly better in my old Ford Escort. It seems, though, like this is a common problem in Fits? Is it really just a matter of getting a better antenna?