From digest.v6.n526 Mon Apr 14 13:45:12 1997
From: KTM300_at_aol.com
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 11:52:27 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Poor radio reception

Geoff writes:
>Hey guys, have you experienced poor radio reception with an after market
head unit? I have an Alpine 7930 installed in my car, and got the Crutchfield adaptor for the antana wire. But the reception is terrible. I hit the scan button, and three stations were picked up through out the whole band! I talked with Crutchfield, they told me that there could be a factory antana signal booster, and a 12 volt power supply has to be connected to it, but they were not sure. Do you guys happen to know if there

is indeed such a device, and if so, where is it? I did notice another wire taped with the antana signal wire, and on the plug it reads "AMP", is that it? The reception was great when I had my factory setup........ Help........

My answer:
The factory antenna unit it surely amplified. In fact, I think my Harmon Kardon unit also has a diversity antenna. This is two different antennas which are routed to a computer which picks the best signal from the two and sends it to the radio. That is why the reception on the factory radio is so clean, ie. no "picket fence" reception. The "AMP" wire is the power for the antenna unit. I don't know if the standard radio has diversity but it probably is amplified anyways. In fact, the amplifier for the speakers is located in the trunk on the right side behind the plastic panels. I don't know where the antenna amp is. To cure your reception, you must supply 12volts to the antenna system.

Hope this helps,
Dave Schultz
BMW CCA / Pittsburgh
'96 M3 Lux