Diversity antenna- reception fix for aftermarket hu

Mafster

Mafster

New member
After having my new Pioneer hu installed, my radio reception went down the tubes. I learned from this forum about our diversity antennas that utilize 2 antennas in the rear of our 4th Gens--with 2 different size male antenna jacks up front to the factory radio.

Naturally, the new hu had only one input for an antenna (the larger of the two leads), so my installer connected it and power to the antenna. The result: poor reception.

I tried a booster, which did no good. Then on a whim I read about somebody using a Y antenna connector to channel both antennas into one male input for the aftermarket HU. Consequently, I ordered one and a upsizing adapter for the small antenna jack, and plugged them all in.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much difference, but there was at least a 50% increase in reception! Still not as great as the stock unit (which is made by Eclipse), because there was no internal diversity switching, but a huge increase in reception (1-2 bars on my radio's display reception meter).

Cost is about $30 for the Y and the adapter.

For those of you who have aftermarket HU, I'd recommend trying this fix. Unless of course, you've found a better trick! :)
 
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Yes, he hooked up the power to it. Though as you know, only one antenna lead could be plugged into the new HU. Once I installed the Y and smaller up-sizing antenna *male* adapter into the Y adapter and that into the back of my stereo, reception improved greatly.


Do you know where the amplifier to the diversity antenna is physically located?

I ask, because on some vehicles, it is incorporated into a seperate stereo/speaker amplifier and if one was to remove that component of a stereo system, it wouldn't do anything by powering that diversity antenna power lead. See this BMW thread---
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119187

Do you know what powers the speakers on the JBL system--is it the hu or the amp in the sub? The factory sub was removed when my new system was installed....
 
Last edited:
Man that thing was hard to find. The antenna amplifier is located near the passenger side rear cargo area window. It is up in the pillar that is between the rear passenger door and the rear cargo window.

FSM volume 2, page 67-16 (for a 2003 sport)

The JBL system powers the speakers via the component stereo amplifier in the cargo area.
 
Mafster said:
After having my new Pioneer hu installed, my radio reception went down the tubes. I learned from this forum about our diversity antennas that utilize 2 antennas in the rear of our 4th Gens--with 2 different size male antenna jacks up front to the factory radio.

Naturally, the new hu had only one input for an antenna (the larger of the two leads), so my installer connected it and power to the antenna. The result: poor reception.

I tried a booster, which did no good. Then on a whim I read about somebody using a Y antenna connector to channel both antennas into one male input for the aftermarket HU. Consequently, I ordered one and a upsizing adapter for the small antenna jack, and plugged them all in.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much difference, but there was at least a 50% increase in reception! Still not as great as the stock unit (which is made by Eclipse), because there was no internal diversity switching, but a huge increase in reception (1-2 bars on my radio's display reception meter).

Cost is about $30 for the Y and the adapter.

For those of you who have aftermarket HU, I'd recommend trying this fix. Unless of course, you've found a better trick! :)
Click to expand...


Do you have part numbers? I've never seen an upsize antenna adapter your talking about.
 
Mafster said:
http://www.audiooutfitter.com/store/40-UV43.html

for the Y adapter.

The other part was purchased here too. It was something for a ford to aftermarket antenna plug (I think). I tossed the package after installing it-sorry! You could always splice the smaller one to one of the arms of the Y too.
Click to expand...


If you could please type in " Ford antenna" on that site and see which one it was... I can't tell but there is only a few to choose from.

Thanks
 
Excellent info here.... I'm looking forward to seeing the P/N as well. I've had that stupid Y adapter sitting in a desk drawer for months because I thought the second factory antennae plug was a "toyota" plug and couldn't be matched to an adapter.....
 
hey morrison, errr, I mean Lizardking, do you have a page of pics of your 4R? That's quite an impressive list of audio components you have.
 
Sorry, I couldn't locate the plug wrapper this weekend. Trash went to the curb last week and it must've been with it. There IS an size-up adapter available. Try calling a few of those places that sell those METRA parts and tell them what you need. That was how I got the part. It isn't the Nissan diversity plug--I know that for sure, so don't get that one.
 
:wtf:
HEY - don't delegate the task to us now!
You're the one who has the part!!
I'll give you 48 hours to get us the 411. Much appreciated.



:D
 
You really can save some time and $$ and just splice the small antenna into one of the female-Y arms. Granted that isn't as clean, but it should work fine.
 
Did you get the part number for your fellow members yet? I can have my dash apart in less then 10 minutes.....so please please take the radio out and get us the part number. We have so many members who need this part number.

Thanks
 
Yep , been looking around too. Why in the heck couldn't they make the other male antenna plug the same size ? PIA !

What about just cut the smaller factory male end off and get a new ( reg sized )blank end from Rat Shack and solder it in , in place of the smaller one . Then your posted adapter would work .

The cable itself would be lose in the new fitting but the center wire and shielding could still be soldered in correctly. Then just shrink tube it .

RTCarlin said:
http://www.audiooutfitter.com/40uv43/metra/p69754.html

Metra P/N: 40UV43

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, but I haven't found anything that spells out how to fix the reception problem.

I found this on the website... but still think you would need the adapter for the smaller to bigger size. Anyone find it?

---Ron
Click to expand...
 
I misunderstood the info for wiring the extra antenna wire and gave the other large wire power--my amp wouldn't come on...lol. So then I powered 3rd smaller wire with the antenna wires...now I have better than stock reception :) and my amp works...he he.

Why are you guys worrying about this Y-connector if all you need to do is power the small wire in the cluster and just let the 2nd antenna wire hang???
 
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