Improve FM radio reception on Jaguar XKR 2010?
#1
Improve FM radio reception on Jaguar XKR 2010?
There is no visible antenna on my model.
When I'm in the city, I have no problems with FM reception, but outside is like the apocalypse has killed almost all radio stations.
I have the Alpine option.
Is there a fix for this?
When I'm in the city, I have no problems with FM reception, but outside is like the apocalypse has killed almost all radio stations.
I have the Alpine option.
Is there a fix for this?
Last edited by Nosferatu; 07-10-2016 at 02:17 AM.
#2
The XKR antenna is hidden inside the rear spoiler on the trunk (boot) lid.
FM reception depends on the power of the station, the height of the FM tower, and obstructions to that signal. Because FM signals follow line-of-sight and do not reflect off the ionosphere (as do AM signals), on fairly level ground that means FM reception of up to 75-100 miles from a transmission tower. When you drive your car into a valley between mountains, you will probably lose your FM signal because you are out of the line-of-sight. In large cities, tall buildings can also block FM signals. If you're in the mountains, signals will never make it over the pass no matter how close you are to the transmitter if line-of-sight is blocked.
The ideal FM antenna is as high up as possible and always aimed on a straight line from the receiver to the station transmitter. Obviously, cars don't have very good FM antennas because they're always moving and are too close to the ground.
The best fix is to listen to something else. There are never any reception problems when you listen to CDs/iPOD/USB/Bluetooth. Satellite radio, however, is affected by weather conditions.
FM reception depends on the power of the station, the height of the FM tower, and obstructions to that signal. Because FM signals follow line-of-sight and do not reflect off the ionosphere (as do AM signals), on fairly level ground that means FM reception of up to 75-100 miles from a transmission tower. When you drive your car into a valley between mountains, you will probably lose your FM signal because you are out of the line-of-sight. In large cities, tall buildings can also block FM signals. If you're in the mountains, signals will never make it over the pass no matter how close you are to the transmitter if line-of-sight is blocked.
The ideal FM antenna is as high up as possible and always aimed on a straight line from the receiver to the station transmitter. Obviously, cars don't have very good FM antennas because they're always moving and are too close to the ground.
The best fix is to listen to something else. There are never any reception problems when you listen to CDs/iPOD/USB/Bluetooth. Satellite radio, however, is affected by weather conditions.
#3
#4
I have found this to be the same in my 2012. The FM reception is much better in my 2010 Lexus while listening to the same stations in the same areas. I assume it is the design and the location of the antenna. For those with the external antenna do you have the same issue.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2015
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I actually bought a spoiler from an '08, so I could pull the fuse for the whip, but like I said, I haven't found myself interested in turning on any tunes, other than the exhaust, so I haven't changed out the spoiler yet.
I did look inside the newer spoiler, and the circuit board that has the antenna traces on it, is pretty small, so I can see why reception may not be so good.
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