One thing that I noticed on my 04 F150 is that the radio has poor reception, stations don't come in as clear as I would expect. Seems as I'm driving, stations tend to get static background noise and then become clear again. Happens on all stations. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

Yes, I have the same problem. Overall I am very pleased with the truck but poor reception is one of the items on my short list of complaints. I'm starting to look around for a replacement radio which may help the reception and will allow me to play MP3.

Anyone listening that have replaced their radios, did the reception improve?

 

Most factory recievers blow. My F-150 is right on part with my previous Fords. Get an amp to boost the signal.

 

I don't really want to replace the radio because I like the nice clean look. Are there any other options to increase the reception or to give it a boost?

 

Dzervit. Do you have any information on an Amp to boost the signal you have used?

 

Been awhile since I looked at one, but you should be able to find it at your local automotive place or even Wallyworld. I think they are somewhere between $10-20. Just plug into 12v and tap into your antenna line like an RF modulator. Never thought they did much.

I found that the CD player is much louder than the radio. Seems I have to turn up the volume when I switch from CD to FM.

zman

 

try this
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...0101&langId=-1

 

Damn lunch hour. Brew beat me to it. Looks like that would work just fine. You can find 'em anywhere. It's hit and miss. I usually end up replacing my whole audio system, so I can't recall the last booster I used.

 

Where do you tap into for the positive wire for the booster so nothing else is affected?

 

I replaced my stock stereo with an Alpine CDA 9835 series and I now have awesome reception. One thing that is a bummer that I noticed is now I can hear humming or a buzzing sound throughout the speakers. Anybody know how to get rid of that?

 

if the humming increases and decreased with engine RPM you have a bad ground on the radio

 

sact...sounds like you have a grounding problem. If all you did was replace the headunit then make sure you have a good solid,tight ground hookup. If you installed an amp or anything else in the system, make sure all the grounds are grounded to the same spot. If not you create what is called a ground loop and will hear buzzing or humming thru your speakers. If this doesnt help check out the stereo forum here.


Sorry there D...since im unemployeed at the moment, all day is lunch hour for me and I spend it here

 

Brewdude, All I did when I replaced the stereo was purchased a new wireharness that plugged into the original factor one. Then I spliced the wires together. Should I check the splice to make sure it's not touching anything funny ? I'm not sure about the sound adjusting per my speed but I know that I can turn the sound all the way down and still hear it humming.

 

Deffinetly..I would check the spliced wires. If you had to splice in the ground wire, I would cut it and redo it. With the volume all the way down and you can still hear it, sounds like a ground to me. Ive done a lot of custom stereo stuff in my days, and ground problems are a PIA. Again, make sure the ground wire is good and solid. ALso check inside the the harness to make sure none of the pins were pushed back when you plugged it together. Good luck. Let me know how you make out.

 

Right on thanks Brewdog. I'll give it a shot and let you know how it works.

Sorry for hijacking the post but I figured that since you got your answer it would be somewhat ok. Sorry JR.


And one to you BrewDog for the info.