Xebec01

I have terrible AM static on my aftermarket Kenwood radio in my 2003 Accord. FM reception is poor, too. (It works when I'm close to the signal source, but fades easily.) Note: I listen almost exclusively to AM when in the car.

I went to a car stereo shop today, and they spend an hour checking the wires and plugging in different units with no luck. They all had the same problem. We came to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with the antenna.

What are my options? I can go to the dealership, but would they have to replace the entire back windshield? Is there an aftermarket antenna that I could use? Would adding the HD radio attachment to my head unit work instead?

Any thought would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

- X

tomas21

Any luck on this ?

jakefrom

Im also curious. I have the same problem with my stock stereo but only with AM radio.

GoLowDrew

We all love the look of no-antenna. No solution from me, but in my neck of the woods, I had the same issue with both G7 and G8 Accords. I also have had cars with an external antenna mask, and 9 out of 10 stations on AM, they just perform better. So I think it's just the Accord/Honda design. Noticed the same thing with Odyssey.

The mast antennas show no weakness in all range. Hondas only work in all ranges when I'm in the city.

This is with OEM stereo.

Xebec01

I'm in nyc, and while I can get FM reception, AM is mostly useless. Still no resolution, but I'll be heading to the dealership soon, so I'll ask.

I researched some antennae, and I believe I can get one that I can stuff under (or lay on top of) the dashboard.The only thing holding me back from that is that I can't find the removal keys for my Kenwood.

if I find a solution, I'll post here.

-X

lazlong

Do you by chance have metallic window tint? It can severely degrade AM reception.

Xebec01

No, no tinting of any kind. I had this problem intermittently for while, but it would go away rather quickly (like a short or something). Then it became permanent. I have good FM reception in NYC, but it fades quickly when I leave the city. AM ranges from bad static to no reception at all...

-X

Xebec01

Ok, I finally resolved this. Took the car to Honda. They basically told me, yes, the anntenna is shot and no, I don't really want them to try and fix it. Incredibly expensive.

Thus, I went to crutchfield and ordered a Universal Window-mount Antenna. I then took it to the local car stereo place. They stuck it above the rear-view mirror, hid the wires expertly and *viola*, I have radio again.

The antenna is not a strong as the original; the signal fades faster after I leave NYC. And the AM gets a little more interference than it used to in the canyons of Manhattan, but I have radio again! Thus, I am happy.

I hope this helps anyone who is having the same issue!

- X