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Radio static on Chinese knockoff

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by DumbMike, Apr 7, 2015.

  1. DumbMike

    DumbMike Active Member

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    I live in Los Angeles so reception was no problem with the OEM radio (the standard one on the 2010 Prius 2). I installed one of those Chinese knock off HUs and the radio reception is pretty bad. Lots of static. I used the original antennae, so that's not the problem. I read some articles on the internet, and they say to ground the HU. That helped a little bit, but not much.

    Any other ideas?

    I really like the GPS and DVD/CD in the new HU, so there's no going back. I still have to install the backup camera.

    Thanks.

    Mike
     
    #1 DumbMike, Apr 7, 2015
  2. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    You get what you pay for. Cheap radio.
    Unless you didn't get the antenna connected good, that's the only likely answer.

    Is the problem apparent on both AM and FM ??
    FM should never have "static" because it should cut off if the signal is that low.
     
    #2 Easy Rider 2, Apr 7, 2015
    GrumpyCabbie likes this.
  3. FrankB

    FrankB Member

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    Maybe the HU is not supplying 12V for the antenna amplifier?
     
    #3 FrankB, Apr 8, 2015
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  4. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Ah HA !!
    That could be a key factor.
    If the power is supplied over the antenna cable itself, most HUs will NOT do that.
     
    #4 Easy Rider 2, Apr 8, 2015
  5. FrankB

    FrankB Member

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    The beige wire going to pin 8 on the 10 pin connector is the amplified antenna output on the stock HU.
     
    #5 FrankB, Apr 8, 2015
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  6. FrankB

    FrankB Member

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    Oops, my info is for the 2010-2011. Your 2013 is different.

    Edit: Double oops, I mixed up OP from Easy Rider 2.
     
    #6 FrankB, Apr 8, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2015
  7. DumbMike

    DumbMike Active Member

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    Do you know the solution to this? And I didn't know I had an antenna amplifier.

    Mike
     
    #7 DumbMike, Apr 8, 2015
  8. FrankB

    FrankB Member

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    Well first, check to see if the HU is supplying 12V on the beige wire going to pin 8 on the 10 pin connector, if not, then you can use another switched 12V line.
     
    #8 FrankB, Apr 8, 2015
  9. DumbMike

    DumbMike Active Member

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    My weekend project. Thanks.

    Mike
     
    #9 DumbMike, Apr 10, 2015
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