# Improving FM Reception In My Car **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 5, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-fm-reception-in-my-car/152987 "2003-02-05T17:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Novus\_Opiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/858c86/32.png) [@Novus\_Opiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novus_Opiate)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-fm-reception-in-my-car/152987/1 "2003-02-05T17:14:31Z")
For some reason the FM reception in my car has always semmed particularly crappy. Thinking that it was just the factory radio, I installed a nice aftermarket radio ([Blaupunkt San Jose](http://www.crutchfield.com/S-vAyG3j7y1Gl/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?I=023SANJOSE)) which is supposed to have excellent FM reception. Unfortunately, there has been little increase in my reception. I’ve thought about either buying an inline FM amplifier or perhaps a new fancypants antenna or maybe even both. I haven’t been able to find a FM amplifier for sale online, though. I understand that an FM amplifier would also boost the noise that my unit receives, but the specs on my receiver seem to indicate that it does a good job of filtering out noise. Anyway, anyone know more about how I can get better radio reception? Novus ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-fm-reception-in-my-car/152987/2 "2003-02-05T17:46:31Z")
Check out a local car install shop. They’ll have a selection of antennas to chose from and antenna boosters and noise filters. They can also do the install work which is minor. It should be a fairly inexpensive upgrade. ---
**Author:** ![keithnmick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90db22/32.png) [@keithnmick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keithnmick)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-fm-reception-in-my-car/152987/3 "2003-02-05T18:20:59Z")
I thought that the reception in my new car was worse than in my old one, until I figured out that I’m pulling in another station on the same frequency, and it interferes with the one I’m actually trying to listen to. That’s not much help I know, but it’s something to be aware of. ---
**Author:** ![Novus\_Opiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/858c86/32.png) [@Novus\_Opiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novus_Opiate)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-fm-reception-in-my-car/152987/4 "2003-02-05T18:41:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by keithnmick \* > \*\*I thought that the reception in my new car was worse than in my old one, until I figured out that I’m pulling in another station on the same frequency, and it interferes with the one I’m actually trying to listen to. > > That’s not much help I know, but it’s something to be aware of. \*\* I have considered that maybe the new radio was _too sensitive_, but the station that I am particulary interested in comes in pretty good on both my wife’s and my father’s factory radios in their respective vehicles. Novus ---
**Author:** ![LIONsob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/76d3ee/32.png) [@LIONsob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LIONsob)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-fm-reception-in-my-car/152987/5 "2003-02-05T19:23:42Z")
Look for a damaged(crushed.cut or bent at a sharp angle) antenna wire and that the antenna wire is connected to both the antenna and the radio. If the antenna wire (coax) is ok, then try an aftermarket antenna. Most stock car antennas are designed more for looks(too short or leaned back at an extream angle from vertical) than performance. Hope This Helps Peace LIONsob