B7 Radio but my radio reception is crap??

[Gberg888]

Hey guys,

I bought my car with a b7 radio installed. The previous owner did this because apparently the b6 radio doesnt allow for an aux addition for listening to ipods. However, my radio reception is crappy to the point where almost no stations come in. Any ideas on how to fix this?

[daverdfw]

search is your friend

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ntenna-Booster

[diagnosticator]

Hey guys,

I bought my car with a b7 radio installed. The previous owner did this because apparently the b6 radio doesnt allow for an aux addition for listening to ipods. However, my radio reception is crappy to the point where almost no stations come in. Any ideas on how to fix this?

That is not the only reason the B7 Symphony II + radio is prefered over the Sym II radio. The poor FM reception of the B7 radio installed in the B6 is due to a mismatch between the B7 Phase Diversity antenna used with the B7 and the Switching Diversity antenna booster module installed in B6 A4s. The B7 Phase Diversity antenna input on the Sym II+ radio is via two separate antenna leads from the Phase Diversity antenna booster. The B6 antenna has only one FM RF antenna lead, and is connected to only one of the two antenna inputs on the Sym II+, leaving the second RF antenna input disconnected. Without both antenna inputs connected, the Sym II+ Phase Diversity cannot function properly, so the FM reception is negatively effected. The only way around this is to install a B7 Phase Diversity antenna booster, replacing the B6 Switching Diversity antenna booster in your car. However, I don't know of anyone that has done this.
Make sure the single antenna lead from the booster, labeled RF is connected to either of the antenna inputs on the Sym II+, maybe the antenna has been disconnected. With one antenna connected, the B7 radio reception is usually not as bad as you are experiencing. Strong local stations usually are received fine.

[Gberg888]

Ok thank you for the information. I will pull off that panel and take a look at the antenna. Maybe its in rough shape and that combined with the different radio is making it extra crappy.

If not, is there a way to split the wire from the car to the antenna so i can fit the b7 antenna? Can I just put a b7 antenna in?