New Owner - Radio Question

[Elissa]

I am the new owner of a 2004 NB convertible. I love my car! The only problem I have had is very bad radio reception. I have looked and do not see an obvious antenna. Is there a solution for the issue of radio reception. I have a monsoon radio cd changer/tape player in the car. I can listen to my own music but I miss NPR.
Any suggestions would be welcome!
Thanks,
Elissa

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

The antenna is in the windshield. You should see a horizontal line a couple inches below the windshield header. There is also an antenna rf booster, perhaps someone has unplugged the antenna lead for some reason, the windshield was changed and the new not plugged in, etc. Verify the antenna is in the windshield first.

A BIG Texas Welcome to the Org!

By way of a welcoming present I have put together a little thing here
Newbie Welcome Kit!

Everyone here loves pictures, you need to start your own picture thread here, and put up some pics!
Photos: New Beetles - NewBeetle.org Forums

If you need an Owner's Manual, a wealth of information, go here. In the meantime, use the maintenance schedule from the '03 NBC found in my "Newbie Welcome Kit". It will be the same.
FS - OWNER'S MANUALS - $40 shipped

Again, welcome, and let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

I'm sure others will be along anytime now, to shower you with welcomes!

MORAV

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by Elissa

I am the new owner of a 2004 NB convertible. I love my car! The only problem I have had is very bad radio reception. I have looked and do not see an obvious antenna. Is there a solution for the issue of radio reception. I have a monsoon radio cd changer/tape player in the car. I can listen to my own music but I miss NPR.
Any suggestions would be welcome!
Thanks,
Elissa

VW's are notorious for bad AM reception with aftermarket radios. You might want to try the solution with the Monsoon. You need to get an inline powered antenna adapter (bridges between the unit and antenna line with a power lead). Any electronics or car stereo shop should carry one for you. I've had similar issue with both a 98' Jetta/Bora and NB/Cabrio and aftermarket units and this solved it :-)

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by sb_beetle

VW's are notorious for bad AM reception

Did I miss something? AM? She just said NPR, FM in my neck of the woods!

And AM is only a good as the strength of the broadcast signal, most are extremely weak, as without the advertising dollars today, the AMs are very, very, low budget.

M.

[Elissa]

So I see the antenna in the front window. How do I know if it is hooked up? Yes the signal is bad for all stations fm and am.

I really appreciate all the help.

I plan on taking pictures of her this weekend and posting them. Hopefully it will be a little cooler...it was 104 with a heat index somewhere about 110 here today.

Thanks,
Elissa

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

I have to believe it is either not hooked up, or there is a broken connection to the antenna. I have an '05 NBC and I get fine reception. I have to check my Bentley, but I am almost positive I read where the there is an RF (radio frequency) signal booster (this could be bad) already in the system, at least on the Monsoons, and this is outside the head unit itself. Going to require getting into the dash to check, I'm afraid. Haven't needed to do that, so can't help, but there should be someone along who has. Outside possibility it is the head unit itself. The antenna input can be checked with an RF meter, but not at the Corner Parts Store, I'm afraid.

Postscript: Yeah, Hot as H here in Houston too. Why not complete your information in the User CP (click the icon to the left in the bar above), so we know a little more about you, your Bug, and where it's so dang hot! Knowing the basics, helps others help you, when you have questions about your new Bug!

M.

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by Elissa

So I see the antenna in the front window. How do I know if it is hooked up? Yes the signal is bad for all stations fm and am.

I really appreciate all the help.

I plan on taking pictures of her this weekend and posting them. Hopefully it will be a little cooler...it was 104 with a heat index somewhere about 110 here today.

Thanks,
Elissa

You need to get an inline powered antenna adapter (bridges between the unit and antenna line with a power lead). Any electronics or car stereo shop should carry one for you. I've had similar issue with both a 98' Jetta/Bora and NB/Cabrio and aftermarket units and this solved it :-)

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by sb_beetle

You need to get an inline powered antenna adapter (bridges between the unit and antenna line with a power lead). Any electronics or car stereo shop should carry one for you. I've had similar issue with both a 98' Jetta/Bora and NB/Cabrio and aftermarket units and this solved it :-)

I'm quite sure I read in the Bentley where the NB Monsoon System already has this, from the factory. Teach me to leave home without my Bentley! (lol)

M.