E36 Radio antenna in rear window - really bad reception
Dave Boulter
I figure once the sharks fin in the E46 came available that the doomed
E36 antenna in amongst the rear demister is a generic problem, correct?
My 87 323 has the worst radio reception. I have pulled out the rear
lining and disconnected the lead to the antenna box and of course the
reception is worse. So I know it is doing something, but.........
anybody else got the same problem?
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Fred W.
"Dave Boulter" <dbou...@sgi.com> wrote in message
news:bvdckf$r80mg$1...@fido.engr.sgi.com...
> Hi,
>
> I figure once the sharks fin in the E46 came available that the doomed
> E36 antenna in amongst the rear demister is a generic problem, correct?
>
> My 87 323 has the worst radio reception. I have pulled out the rear
> lining and disconnected the lead to the antenna box and of course the
> reception is worse. So I know it is doing something, but.........
>
> anybody else got the same problem?
No. The problem is in the headunit's receiver, not the "diversity" antenna.
I swapped out the OEM AM/FM Cassette headunit for a Sony xPlode in dash
receiver / CD and the FM reception went from dismal to magnificent. With
the red backlighting and LED graphics it also blends in very nicely with the
BMW dashboard, unlike most of the current blue backlit LCD units.
When you shop for a headunit, watch for the FM sensitivity specs. You want
one with the lowest available dBf sensitivity (will pick up the smallest
possible signal). Anything less than 10 dBf is pretty good. Asa an
example, the Blaupunkt line includes receivers with FM sensitivities ranging
anywhere from 7.1 to 17 dBf sensitivity.
-Fred W
422Tango
>
> I figure once the sharks fin in the E46 came available that the doomed
> E36 antenna in amongst the rear demister is a generic problem, correct?
it), which uses a short (about 16inch) molded antenna on the passenger side
rear fender instead. Also, I bought it used, never had it with the original
radio, I have a Pioneer head in it - does a very good job on both FM and AM.
A lot of US cars went to antenna in the windshield years ago - I found out
then that, if I wanted first class reception - dump the concealed antenna
and put an old fashioned rod type antenna on the vehicle. (I used to be
Chief Engineer of a TV and radio station).
One alternate possibility - a lot of cars including BMW E36 have a separate
RF amplifier mounted near the antenna location. If this dies - there is some
reception, but it is lousy. One way to check is to pull out the head unit,
disconnect the antenna lead, and replace it temporarily with an old style
rod antenna.
Jim