DIABL0

How come when you replace a factory radio with an expensive aftermarket the radio reception goes to hell?

RLSebring

Use the search this thread button over on the right. There are plenty of write ups to keep you busy and get to the root of your question.

chevyc6z51

Ya I want to know to!

onspeed

I've already searched. And I still have the same question as the OP. And it's not related to antenna amplifier or etc since I have a Z06.

edit - to clarify, I want to know the reason why the reception on an aftermarket unit is worse than stock, not have someone tell me that I need to buy an antenna booster.

bowtiebubba

I would like to know also.

DIABL0

Thats what im talking about

markcz

Plastic cars make for bad antennas

RLSebring

I misunderstood the question. I thought they wanted to know how to improve the otherwise poor reception.

DIABL0

Ya but stock radio is great why not aftermarket

RLSebring

If the aftermarket HU isn't hooked up the same way the stock unit is the reception will suck. Mine did until I hooked it up correctly. The 12v booster did wonders too for the High Def channels.

onspeed

What about for those of us with C5Z or FRC, where there is no antenna booster?

markcz

GM can spec out the radio as "gets great reception with a crappy antenna" and that's what they get. Aftermarkets are made to get good reception in the average metal car.

Try one of these

onspeed

What's the compromise when tuning the radio to get better reception as GM supposedly does? I don't hear a difference in sound quality... wouldn't it make sense for all radios to be tuned as such?

jcgunn

I put a Pioneer 8200BT in my 03 Vert (OEM power antenna) it has the BEST reception (AM and FM) of any car I have ever owned...

markcz

If you have an antenna that gets GREAT reception, then put it into a radio that amplifies it, there's a good chance you'll get a fair amount of interference or echos on stronger channels. GM is able to match the radio and antenna so they work well together, swapping out gear for aftermarket equipment messes the system balance up. Some radios do good, most not so well.

onspeed

Did not work. Made it worse actually.

s4k4zulu

+1. same here