Lousy HD(after market) radio antenna

lousy fm -HD radio antenna 2003 996 and Kenwood DNC575S double din HU. Any fixes out there? Already put in amplified fm antenna booster ( I�m in DFW area), that didn�t help much. HD signals drop in and out even in just driving one block. Frustrated. Dave

Did you make sure that the stock antenna didn't have a booster already that's not powering up because no stock head unit to tell it to? You can buy a cheepie aftermarket external and just plug it in to the head unit to check if its the car or the radio..

My car is a 2003 Porsche carrera cab., and Best Buy put in a kenwood DNC575S HU about 2 months ago and I�m just still learning how it all works. I took it back a couple of times trying to figure out why the HD2 channels keep dropping off and on. There�s only the thin wire antenna in the middle of the windshield. We�ve put in two different antenna boosters, but it still has HD channel dropping off and on even just sitting still at a light. I�m wondering if adding a splitter antenna that�s like a dipole, and stretch it inside the dashboard might help. Then maybe it�s the unit thats bad. Any help solving this would be appreciated. Thanks. Dave

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So called "HD radio" signal attenuate quicker than the analog signals. We all know that with digital it's either there or it's not- no in between. Therefore, if you loose the signal it's because you're on the threshold. Yes, a better antenna would help extend that, but even with a great antenna, you'll still experience dropouts just like with cell phones. I have a new SUV with HD radio and some of the strongest radio stations (in location of transmitter) drop out their HD signal from time to time. I experience this when driving during storms or where there is lots of coverage (e.g. trees, buildings, etc.). In the meantime, if it annoys you too much, then turn off HD radio and just listen to the analog. Works for me!

The Best Buy tech did the install and then we put in one powered booster antenna, then another. My last shot is he’s biggest(next week), it an inside windshield “T) shame that tucks up under the trim headliner behind the rear view mirror. It’s powered also. Fingers crossed. It’s a much bigger antenna from my stock wire in the glass antenna. We’ll see. Even though it’s only 2 months old, apparently there’s only a 15 day return policy. Checking with Kenwood tomorrow as is the tech to see our options. HD1 (regular radio), has some intermittent dropping of 98.7 in our area this morning. Hope I can swap radios. This one seems to have a couple of internal problems.

So, went back to Best Buy again today, and we tried all his best powered antennas, inside T, even an outside mast antenna, and no luck. Firmware is up to date. Can’t figure out why HD2 radio stations drop out and later back on, sometimes even just waiting for a light to change, it does this here in the DFW mid cities area. Is the broadcasting that weak? In a loaner MB suv a couple of weeks ago, the HD2 stations worked great. Just sent Kenwood another msg. About all this. We’ll see what they say. ....

The tuners on most newer head units suck,, the manufacturers figure you'll use your phone.. Pioneer is one of the few with a really quality FM tuners//

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now I�m sending my Kenwood to service dept. to see if it�s got a problem. Found a very large amount of HD channels here in DFW area. Now I really want it to work right.

I have Pioneer in my car and have the same isues ...

It's just an HD radio thing. The signal is digital, so it's either there or it isn't. It also doesn't travel well through buildings or in hilly areas, so that doesn't help either.

Well, I had a loaner car,MB 300suv about 3 weeks ago, that had HD radio in it and it worked flawlessly, which to me means there’s a way to make these radios even in after market high quality, like pioneer and Kenwood, that have been built with HD in them, should be able to work like I had in my MB loaner car. So,.. I’m still trying to figure it out. Ivy sent my unit off to Kenwood service in California today, and see if they find anything or if they’re building these w/HD just to sell more units even if they don’t work properly. We’ll know soon enough. I’ll report back. I did go back to Best Buy again today and my tech is going overboard to help me and my situation. He even got out a brand new Pioneer and hooked it up to my car and we went for a little drive and it too dropped the signal , but not as much as my Kenwood, while driving around. I’m a bit bummed as there are some really good HD stations here in the DFW area I’d like to listen too( oldies for one). Later