I recently replaced the head unit in my 2008 Honda CR-V EX, and I'm not happy with the resulting radio reception. I replaced with factory unit with a Pioneer AVIC 5200NEX, and the FM and AM stations sounds weaker and noisier than I had expected.

Assuming the tuner is fine (which I'm pretty sure it is), what's the best thing I can do to improve the signal? Antenna amplifier? New antenna?

Thanks in advance.

 

1) Check the antenna connectors - is the antenna correctly plugged into the new head unit? Is the antenna screwed into its connection point correctly?
2) Get a new antenna
3) Install a signal booster

 

i'm guessing you might not have powered the antenna turn on wire?

 

I think you are correct, spider2k. I checked with Crutchfield and it looks like my installer did not connect the wire that relates to powering the antenna. He's going to pop the unit out and hook that wire up, so we should be fine.

In his defense, there were no instructions that related to that wire, so he left it unconnected.

Thanks!