Hello all,
I've recently upgraded to an Alpine 9857 head unit. I'm having weaker FM reception with the Alpine than I did with the stock head unit. I was told that Alpine is notorious for weak FM Reception......
Would an FM booster help?
I don't want to add more electrical junk to my dashboard area if it won't work.
Has anybody else tried an FM booster? Could you recommend a particular brand/model.

Thanks in advance
Donald

 

I have an Alpine 9855 deck and was able to get better reception than the stock head unit. Make sure you are using the euro to american coverter and make sure your powere antenna cable is connected and connected VERY securely. I reconnected my power antenna wire and was able to get better reception.

 

Yes.......definitely check the antenna connection. Mine was real loose and it kept getting worse. Finally took it to the dealer and the service guy knew exactly what was wrong. Sounds like it might be a more common problem than most know about.

 

I have same complaint. 2 questions:

How many miles and what terrain (hills?) between you and the station transmitters?

What about am reception?

 

Make sure that the diversity amplifier (located under the right rear side window under the trim) receives power after the HU swap. There is a solid white colored wire that connects to the original headunit that can be powered by the 'power antenna' output on most aftermarket headunits.

The diversity amp takes the signal from the roof antenna (or side window antenna for early nav-equipped cars) and the rear defroster grid (which is set up to be used as a second antenna) and continuously routes whichever signal is stronger the the HU. Without power, the amp will act as an attenuator and make reception pretty weak on FM (AM is not affected by the amp).

 

The Euro antenna plug converter that I bought has a +12v wire on it..... it is hooked up to my power antenna +12v outlet on the head unit. It is my understanding that this setup should allow the factory antenna to function normally.

I added a small antenna booster to the system and my performance has increased greatly. The guy at the stereo shop said that some factory antenna are set up to match the factory head unit....... some aftermarket head units need more gain (supplied by the booster).

I'm about 40 miles from the "local" stations...... the more powerful stations always came in strong, but the weaker stations would fade badly. Now I can get the weak stations.

I'm in Louisiana..... not a hill in sight! (ok can't forget the land fill!)

 

I'd like to try that.

What kind?...how much $$$ ? ...how to install?

 

I just started a new thread on a similar issue found this post. Did you ever get this resolved ?

thanks

 

all great suggestions above.

make sure your antenna is still on your roof.