Does anyone know if there is a power antenna available to help with FM reception ?

 

I'll assume you mean a powered antenna, since a power antenna is one that goes up and down when you turn the radio on.

The simple answer is no as the stock one is powered. Any time you don't have a 31" long steel whip mast the antenna has to be powered because it is not the correct length needed for receiption. Unfortunately we have an antenna that is compromised for asthetics, just like most cars out there today.

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that the tuner circuits of the radio are just not the greatest. I can park my MCS right next to my S.O.s Audi A4 and she will be able to pick up some distant stations that are little more than static on my radio. The A4 has no external antenna, just one embedded in the glass.

 

So there is no way to increase my reception ???

 

What is the model year of your MINI? You might be a candidate for High Definition Radio.

 

If you have that much troble, you might want to go with XM or Sirius Radio.

 

Another possibility - but no subscription with HD Radio and much better audio quality.

 

I would be interested inHD for my 05 Convertible, bbut it has a H/K system in it and I would feel bad about trashing and replacing it

 

H/K bears no significance over the DICE install - only the amp/speakers are different between vehicles.

The same DICE kit is used for both configurations.

 

Tell Me More!!!! What would I need to add to my current setup to make it HD? Price?

 

This thread has everything you want to know, starting with post #2:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=88570

 

I have XM but I listen to Don and Mike every afternoon but I live in Solomons Island and lose them halfway down Rt. 4 so I wanted to know if there was a way to increase signal strength ?

 

Nothing that I'm aware of on the stock antenna. There is always HD Radio (separate tuner and antenna)