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Bad Radio Reception

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by jackmccullough, Jul 29, 2009.

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  1. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

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    I just got a new used 2008 Prius with the backup camera package. I haven't seen an external antenna anywhere. I get terrible radio reception, even in places where, in our other cars, we get great reception. Given that there are only half a dozen stations in Vermont, this is a problem.

    Does anyone have any ideas of what's causing it, and whether it's possible to add an antenna?

    TIA.
     
    #1 jackmccullough, Jul 29, 2009
  2. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    The Prius' standard AM/FM amplified antenna is ~18 inches long,
    sitting at a jaunty angle, mounted to a conical base just in front of the
    rear hatch. Some folks think its looks to a soda straw or R/C model
    antenna. Sometimes, the standard antenna is replaced with an
    after-market "shark fin" antenna, again in the same location, as it
    retains and covers the OEM conical base:

    VG Shark Fin Antenna - What Is It?

    It is generally conceded that the shark fin with its folded "fractal"
    antennas has reduced reception, especially in areas where stations are
    far apart or less than max transmission power. I have one, but listen
    mostly to books-on-iPod so reduced reception is not an issue...
    It's a stylistic thing. :cool:

    Here are some threads on shark fin reception:

    PriusChat Forums - Search Results

    If neither one of these is present, then there would have to be a plug
    or something else to cover the hole in the roof that the standard
    antenna base mounts through. It is hard to believe that someone
    would spend beaucoup de bucks to fill/smooth/repaint the mounting
    hole.
     
    #2 Rokeby, Jul 29, 2009
  3. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    You should have a whip antenna at the rear center of the roof, 'bout 18" long, Black???? What, no whip, that maybe explains it. Time to buy a replacement. Wait the whip is there, OK, maybe the Antenna Pre-Amp is BAD!! Take a trip to your dealer, have it fixed, replaced!! If you live that far away from stations, DO NOT even bother with a sharkfin. It just will not help!! The best bet for your application is the whip!!

    Are you listening for AM or FM stations??? If FM, thats a line of sight thing, any mountains between you and the station transmit antenna? That could be a problem. AM is a reflected wave, but not as good quality as FM, you should be able to pick those stations.

    Keep us informed what you find out!!!
     
    #3 KK6PD, Jul 29, 2009
  4. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

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    I'm at work and the car is at home, but from the descriptions, it appears that the antenna should go where the camera is on the roof of the car at the back. I see a little thing sticking up that looks like where the rear-view camera is mounted, but it's only a few inches tall. Is it possible that in the camera-mounted version they hid a little antenna in that mount?

    By the way, I'm listening to AM and FM, and I'm comparing places where we get good reception in our other cars and terrible reception in the Prius.

     
    #4 jackmccullough, Jul 29, 2009
  5. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

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    Is it possible I'm wrong about the camera mount? I haven't tested it, but it appears from the view on the screen that what I'm looking at is the camera, mounted on a stalk on the roof of the car.

     
    #5 jackmccullough, Jul 29, 2009
  6. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    look at kk6pd red prius in this post and you can see the antenna on the roof.
     
    #6 boppo, Jul 29, 2009
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  7. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    The camera should be mounted near the license plate. My guess is that you have a sharkfin antenna mounted on the roof. For your location, it probably won't give you satisfactory reception.
     
    #7 firepa63, Jul 29, 2009
  8. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Very interesting...

    The other day I saw a Hyundai -- Elantra? -- that had a very small
    footprint, thin cross section fin that had a dark, ~1/2 in. diameter circle
    high on the flat rear surface. At the time, I wondered if it might be a
    rear view camera.

    Now I wonder if it was a combo antenna/camera with fractal antennas
    inside, and you have one of them. :noidea:
     
    #8 Rokeby, Jul 29, 2009
  9. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

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    This really sounds much more like what I have.

    I'm not at home right now, so I can't check, but it's definitely not a shark fin. I've seen plenty of them and it's not it.

    I haven't looked around the license plate for the camera, but the view on the screen inside the car seems to be taken from a higher vantage point--I think I can actually see a good bit of the tailgate, which would mean that it's not down by the license plate.

    If it is a combo camera/antenna, can anyone think of a way to improve reception?

     
    #9 jackmccullough, Jul 29, 2009
  10. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Post a photo of what you have...
     
    #10 firepa63, Jul 29, 2009
  11. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

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    And where is the camera image being viewed? Do you see it in the MFD screen, or is it embedded in the rearview mirror?
     
    #11 yardman 49, Jul 29, 2009
  12. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

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    It's in the screen. The mirror is just a regular mirror.
     
    #12 jackmccullough, Jul 29, 2009
  13. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    For those you are confused...a pic is worth 1000 words...

    [​IMG]

    The camera is in the blue circle...

    [​IMG]

    and this is the STOCK antenna!!!

    Any questions????
     
    #13 KK6PD, Jul 30, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  14. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    The backup camera is to the left of the rear license plate, as KK6PD shows in the above post.

    It sounds to me that you have the base of the antenna up there on the roof. I'd suggest that you get on a ladder and look at the thing. The base of the antenna should have a threaded hole on top. You screw the antenna mast into that hole.

    Perhaps the antenna mast is somewhere in the car? You should look everywhere, including the cargo storage compartment. You should also ask the person or dealer who sold the car to you.

    If you're only missing the antenna mast, you can get a new OEM antenna mast for $36.35 plus shipping, from parts.com:

    Auto Parts - Parts.com, For Every Part of Your Life

    Or get a used OEM antenna mast from eBay. There's a used one listed now for $9.99 Starting Bid and $15.99 Buy It Now, plus $3 shipping:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyo...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

    Given where you live and the reception you're receiving without the OEM antenna mast, I wouldn't get an aftermarket stubby antenna or shark fin antenna -- the reception would be too poor. I'd stick with the OEM antenna mast.
     
    #14 Boo, Jul 30, 2009
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  15. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

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    Mystery solved. I got home late last night, and now that I've had a chance to examine it in the daylight you're exactly right--I have the antenna base, but the mast is missing. If I can't find the mast I'll get a new one.

    Thanks!

     
    #15 jackmccullough, Jul 30, 2009
  16. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

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    One more question: Is there any particular reason to buy a genuine Toyota OEM antenna, or can any antenna from the auto parts store or Electron Hut work?

     
    #16 jackmccullough, Jul 31, 2009
  17. Suspenderman

    Suspenderman Junior Member

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    Likewise I bought a used 2005 Prius and have been surprised at less than stellar radio reception. Are there preamps reccomended, even aftermarket stuff? Thanks
    Suspenderman
     
    #17 Suspenderman, Aug 2, 2009
  18. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    I'd get the OEM antenna because you'll be sure about its looks (diameter of the antenna mast bottom is perfectly matched to the diameter of the top of the antenna base) and performance.

    Specifically, I'd get the used one that's on eBay right now because at the $9.99 Starting Bid or $15.99 Buy It Now prices plus $3 shipping, the cost must be comparable to the aftermarket ones:

    Toyota PRIUS RADIO ANTENNA interchangable '06-'07:eBay Motors (item 330346517484 end time Aug-03-09 14:15:00 PDT)
     
    #18 Boo, Aug 2, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  19. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    There is already a Pre-Amp in the antenna circut! If you have rotten reception, the pre-amp could be blown!! Dealer fix!
     
    #19 KK6PD, Aug 2, 2009
  20. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

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    Re: Bad Radio Reception--problem solved

    Thanks for all the great replies.

    I got back from vacation last night and took the car up to the dealer today. I talked to the salesman, showed him the missing antenna, and he took the antenna off another of the used Priuses on the lot and put it on mine.

    Problem solved, great reception in the car, free of charge!
     
    #20 jackmccullough, Aug 14, 2009
    1 person likes this.
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