Elantra antenna signal booster??

New to the site. Enjoyed browsing over the last two weeks looking for a
solution to the terrible am reception on the GT radios. I also got the
"That's how they are" speech from the dealer! Has anyone tried the JC
Whitney signal booster? Supposed to plug into back of radio and increase
signal strength by 3x. Only $10.00 plus shipping, but looking for a
success story first, 'cause I don't really want to rip open my dash if I
don't have to. Thanks for any assistance.

 

I don't recall how the antenna's mounted on the Elantra. Bad AM
reception is commmon nowadays. However, (I'm thinking about traditional
radios)there's an adjustment screw named an "antenna trimmer" that is
accessable from the outside of the radio cabinet. There's an easy way to
adjust it while listening to a station. I think it's typically around
14,000 Not sure how this is done on digital radios, or even if it still
is done. With terrible reception, though, I'd be looking at the antenna
and how it connects to the radio. And try the radio in a different same
model car to see if "they're all like that." I've only put one digital
radio into a car, and I can't recall if I made an adjustment or not.

I've heard that Hyundai's radios are pretty poor. I've got the top-ish
model in my 2000 Sonata, and I'd say that it's adequate, not much more.
I hate the confusing buttons -- they're too deco. Very bad human
engineering when you've got to take your eyes off the road in order to
find the station buttons. Stupid, really.

Boosters usually work on FM, not AM. And don't get me started on the
trustworthiness of things in the JC Whitney catalog. Once every ten
years, I forget, place an order, the then get a refresher in why it's
been ten years...

Richard

 

Hi

i have solved this problem

ive posted full details on elantraxd.com

Link: http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9573



Yellow_Elantra

 

Is there anthing special about this cable (shielding, etc.)? Is there a
specific reason to use a 5 meter cable or will a 3 meter (10') cable work?

 

Thanks for the tip. I bought the cable locally. Now I need to get behind
the dashboard to put it in and check it out. Brand new car - any ideas on
how to get at the radio without taking out the whole dash? I'd hate to
break something before the car even goes in for its first checkup!
Thanks again.

 

Sounds like the problem is poor shielding so you need to use the same
impedance as the old cable but length is probably not an issue. If
there is an antenna trimmer you should peak the signal with the new
cable.

 

You have to remove the dash facia in order to get at the radio. There
are two screws above the speedo/tach and two inside the ash tray. The
rest it held by clips. The clips have been known to pop off so watch for
that. Pop the facia loose, then unclip the electrical connectors and it
comes right off. It's not a major endeavor. Instructions are available
at www.hmaservice.com.

 

Thanks to all for your input. Unfortunately it looks like it's back to the
dealer for me. I tried 'yellow elantra's' cable; signal stayed the same,
ok but weak. I changed the antenna; signal was worse. Then I tried a
"signal booster". Worked great on FM. Even though FM was good, I did
notice a stronger signal on 2 stations. But it absolutely cut out AM!!
Nothing at all. So now the car's all back together the was it was
initially, and I'm going to leave it up to the dealer to fix.
Again, thanks for all your input. I wish for all the AM sufferer's sakes
we could have solved this.

 

When you replaced the cable, did it cut down on static from the cruise
control? I can live with weak signals as long as I don't have to contend
with noise generated by the electronics in the car.

 

Brian,

I don't seem to be getting any electronic interference, i.e. whining or
buzzing. This is just a bad signal, particularly in lowlands. If I crest
a hill the reception is usually better.

 

Note to yellow_elantra: I misunderstood your directions and tried it
again. I ran an independent antenna cable from the antenna across the
right side floor board and up into the radio. What a difference! My 3
stations, ranked 9, 6, and 3 on a scale of 1 to 10 are now ranked 10, 9
and 7!!
Thanks so much for your help.

Note to Brian: This did work, and it worked very well. Total cost: $8
bucks. Between you and hyundaitech you seem to be the guys on line all
the time. Please feel free to pass this on as a legitimate fix, and give
the credit to yellow_elantra.

Thanks to all for your help.

 

Yea? thats great elantra05newbie,

If possible,could you please re-post your post
on elantraxd.com under my thread?

It seem to have been forgotten.






happy to help


Yellow_elantra

 

Sounds good, I'll try it myself.

Will do.