I have been unhappy with my radio reception. For many months I just 'put up with it', thinking that it was because I lived up in the hills about 30 miles north of San Diego.


But now I’m not so sure. Any tips welcome. Here’s my experience and ‘tests’.
I have a 2008 Clubman with HiFi and HD radio and Satellite (I got it ‘pre-owned’ and well loaded ☺ ). Yeah I know… I could just listen to satellite, but I like my local radio stations.

0) 94.1 and 100.7 sound fine in my wife’s Audi.

1) When listening to regular radio there is a lot of ‘fuzziness’
2) When listening to HD radio, I can never get an HD signal that stays HD for long (it will be HD for a minute or so, then switch out to ‘standard’ radio; the transition is really annoying as it gives an ‘echo’ for a second).

3) yesterday I sat in my driveway and replaced my stubby (from outmotoring.com) with the stock antenna and it did help , a bit (say 10%)… but still not great. (The improvement was both on std FM and HD. I know, the roof antenna shouldn’t make a difference, as the rumor is it uses antenna in the side window, but trust me, it does).

4) today I drove to San Diego and it was doing it even in areas that MUST be ok.

Does anyone actually use the built-in HD radio and find that it works for them?
(If so, maybe I should take my MINI to the dealer),

 

I do not use or have HD radio but the non HD radio should work well for station in the San Diego area. I live 70 miles from Boston and get those radio stations just fine. You should not have a problem like what you are stating.

Now on to a possible cause.

In my BMW 525iT i have basically the same setup a small antenna on the roof and the antenna in the window. In both cars whent he windows get dirty I start loosing reception. I.E. the dog slobber on the window causes the window antenna to change capacitance and inductance so it does not works as well.

Another possible cause is that the connections to the "Diversity Antenna Amp" and not good (loose) or that the amp is bad or not functioning properly. This can be checked by the dealer.

It could be possible that the antenna connection it not good also up behind the radio or at the HD receiver.

Good luck.

 

As my MINI is pretty spotless, I'm going to assume that it's one of the other issues... I have scheduled a trip to the dealer! Thanks for confirming.

Schatzy: I think I've read so many of your posts it could make a book. Much appreciated! (I'm also about to swap the speakers out for some Focal 165A3s and a Boss)

 

I had the same problem with my AM/FM and satellite. Turns out the roof antenna was bad. When they tested it at the dealer they said it showed and open circuit and just replaced it. Works great now reception is perfect even with my Alta stubby antenna.

FYI I had a small water leak that I noticed when I first got the car at the antenna(wasn't sealed correctly from the factory) which may have caused it to short out.

 

guys... thanks for the tips. Update... took it to dealer... they said I needed a new radio... back ordered... can't wait.