How Can I Boost The Reception On My Car Radio?

[Mobi]

The radio in my Mitsubishi Triton has annoyingly low reception capabilities.

There are 4 English stations in the Pattaya area, but as I drive around, I have to continuously switch from one station to another as the one I am tuned in to starts to fade.

Yet the radio in my girlfriend’s little Nissan March receives all stations perfectly within a 20 kilometre radio of central Pattaya, as did the radio in my old car.

I have tried pulling the roof aerial right out but it makes no difference.

Short of changing out the radio, is there any gadget I can buy which will boost reception?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[IMHO]

You could try a longer antenna, but you'll probably just find it's the (poor) sensitivity of the tuner being used.. Mitsu generally use either Sony or Alpine head units, neither of which can claim to have great tuner sections.

[mogandave]

Bluetooth, iPhone, TuneInn Radio app.

[bobbin]

I love hi-tech solutions!!

TuneIn Radio app (for Android also) is great but you have to have unlimited (maybe not?) data plan.

Edit: I guess it's not a solution unless the Mitsu head unit has bluetooth already...

Sony and Alpine have so-so tuners?

Edited September 26, 2012 by bobbin

[Haooo]

My triton has the same problem. You can try to pull the entire antenna out to get better signal.

The tunner is designed to use this type of antenna.

[mogandave]

I think you can get a meter that will allow you to "trim" the antenna which should give you better reception.

I have an unlimited data plan, but with TuneIn, you can also program it to record at night using WiFi

[Mobi]

I love hi-tech solutions!!

TuneIn Radio app (for Android also) is great but you have to have unlimited (maybe not?) data plan.

Edit: I guess it's not a solution unless the Mitsu head unit has bluetooth already...

Sony and Alpine have so-so tuners?

I have unlimited data plan and it would be a good solution if my radio had bluetooth - but it doesn't.

Overall I am very satisfied with my Triton, but I was somewhat miffed when I found that my radio (Sony) didn't even have an auxiliary input jack, or MP3 input jack as contained in the specs.

If it did have an input jack I could use the 'tuner' on my tablet, which works pretty well, I could even listen to UK radio progs in my car.

Maybe I will just use a mini speaker with my tablet and give up on the car radio, except when playing MP3's.(on discs).

The other crazy thing is there is no input jack yet the system plays DVD's on the front screen, even when driving, which is against the law in most countries, (not sure about Thailand), and was blocked on my BMW.

Ah Well....

[Mobi]

I think you can get a meter that will allow you to "trim" the antenna which should give you better reception.

Can you explain further please? Not sure I understand; how does the meter trim the antenna?

[topt]

I love hi-tech solutions!!

TuneIn Radio app (for Android also) is great but you have to have unlimited (maybe not?) data plan.

Edit: I guess it's not a solution unless the Mitsu head unit has bluetooth already...

Sony and Alpine have so-so tuners?

I have unlimited data plan and it would be a good solution if my radio had bluetooth - but it doesn't.

Overall I am very satisfied with my Triton, but I was somewhat miffed when I found that my radio (Sony) didn't even have an auxiliary input jack, or MP3 input jack as contained in the specs.

If it did have an input jack I could use the 'tuner' on my tablet, which works pretty well, I could even listen to UK radio progs in my car.

Maybe I will just use a mini speaker with my tablet and give up on the car radio, except when playing MP3's.(on discs).

The other crazy thing is there is no input jack yet the system plays DVD's on the front screen, even when driving, which is against the law in most countries, (not sure about Thailand), and was blocked on my BMW.

Ah Well....

Mine has an Alpine head but otherwise same same. Glad you brought this up because I was thinking it was just mine and I was unlucky.

[harrry]

First step is to check that your antena actually does have a good connection to the radio.

Also that the antena has a good earth connection to the body of the car on the shielded side.

Edited September 27, 2012 by harrry

[mogandave]

I think you can get a meter that will allow you to "trim" the antenna which should give you better reception.

Can you explain further please? Not sure I understand; how does the meter trim the antenna?

Just an analog gage and you extend the mast until you get max signal. I have not seen one for years.