Do our trucks have an receiver amplifier for the antenna?

[thegipper]

I have a aftermarket JVC headunit in my 97 4R and the FM/AM radio reception is pretty lousy. I do have a aftermarket antenna (shorter flexible one) because the original powered one died.

Every vehicle I've ever owned that i put in a aftermarket head unit in has had the FM/AM reception suck.

I did some searching and read that many vehicles have a receiver amplifier for the antenna. I found that "you have to attach the remote wire (going to your subs if you have them) and the power antenna wire both to the remote wire (coming from the headunit)."

When you do this, the remote wire tells the receiver amplifier to turn on and the reception is restored.

IS this the case with our trucks? Anyone have any experience or insight into this?

Thanks

 

[gamefreakgc]

I'm not aware of an amplifier for the antenna.

However, I am aware that there are two plugs for the antenna, since we have 2 antennas. If you only have 1 hooked up that might explain your bad reception. I have both plugged in via an adapter and have not had any issues.

 

[thegipper]

I did not know there was two antennas, where is the second one? What kind of adapter are yyou using?

 

[gamefreakgc]

This is the adapter I used, or at least something similar. I got them off amazon.

Guide on How to Combine Both Front & Rear Antennas into One on an Aftermarket Stereo - YotaTech Forums

The 2nd antenna is the one embedded in the passenger's rear glass in the cargo area. I think there might be some older base models that don't have it but the majority do.

 

[OldManKamps]

I did not know there was two antennas, where is the second one? What kind of adapter are yyou using?

I was always under the impression that the second one was for the power antenna

 

[thegipper]

This is the adapter I used, or at least something similar. I got them off amazon.

Guide on How to Combine Both Front & Rear Antennas into One on an Aftermarket Stereo - YotaTech Forums

The 2nd antenna is the one embedded in the passenger's rear glass in the cargo area. I think there might be some older base models that don't have it but the majority do.

And there definitely is a second plug behind the radio? I don't remember seeing a second one but maybe I just missed it. I will look this week and see what I find.

I found a Y adapter single male to 2 female socket on ebay for a couple bucks. That would be great if that is what the problem is.

Anyone else have crappy FM/Am (more or less AM) reception with an aftermarket head unit? And like many other vehicles I have, once I turn the blower on (AC/Heat) the AM quality immediately goes to hell which is probably another issue.

Thanks

 

[tx_shooter]

I am using an adapter to run my AM/FM antenna from my CB antenna. I have great reception. I live an hour away from Dallas/Ft Worth and I can pick their radio stations up all the way to 3 hours away in places. My only problem now is I pick up Houston radio stations too easily on overcast mornings. :lookout:

Link to the part.

Link to how I used it.

 

[thegipper]

That would be a great option if I had a CB but I don't. Maybe ill add one in the future.

Hopefully there is just another antenna that needs to be hooked up.

 

[csp]

I highly doubt if the window antenna makes any difference in your reception. I would suspect the short, aftermarket antenna first.

 

[thegipper]

Maybe just the window antenna is plugged in right now and not the antenna in the front?

I'll have to check it out.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Maybe just the window antenna is plugged in right now and not the antenna in the front?

I'll have to check it out.

It's possible, but the two plugs are different sizes. The mast antenna is your standard size that fits into aftermarket head units and the rear window antenna is slightly smaller.

Double check your rear glass to make sure you actually have the 2nd antenna. It's possible that you don't. It still might be your aftermarket antenna anyway though.