Poor radio reception and the conversion of radio to new electronics

[Scott S.]

Hello everyone,

The '60 I bought 4 years ago came with an after market cheapo radio.
Several years ago I bought a Custom Autosound radio with cassette deck etc.

The problem I am having is I has extremely poor radio reception. I have heard that these radios, although not cheap, have very poor tuners in them. I have also heard of services that will gut the radio and put in new electronics that include higher end FM tuners.

Has anyone in NCRS ever had any experience with this area? If so, what service did you use and was it worth the money and effort for you in the end.

Does anyone have any other ideas out there besides putting an in-line amplifier between the antenna and the radio? I have tried that and it does not seem to help.

Thanks and motor on.
Scott Scearce

[Stuart F.]

Re: Poor radio reception and the conversion of radio to new electronics

Scott;

I'm surprised you have poor reception with your Auto Sound radio. I've had one in my 63 for many years, of course it's not the greatest, but it has been adequate for both the Chicago sububan area, and now down here in Orlando. I do, however, have a CD changer connected with mine and I use that much of the time.

Does your antenna have the reflector plate inside the car body? Mine was a factory AM/FM so the antenna has that plate in place. I have heard that non factory aftermarket radios/antennas installed in cars that did not come from the factory with a radio have a problem with reception. Normal metal cars have the car body serving as a reflector, but Corvettes need to have the plate.

Just a thought.

Stu Fox

[Scott S.]

Re: Poor radio reception and the conversion of radio to new electronics

Hi Stu,

Thank you for your knowledable advice on this. I cut up on of those heaxgonal electrical junction boxes you use at home and used a side section. It already had the hole cut and even a tab with thread sand a screw in it.

I put this between the nut at the bottom of the antenna and the antenna, built a wire with ring connectors on each end and attached that from the plate to the ground at the tail light. It worked perfectly!! That antenna expected to get its ground through a metal body.

The poor reception has lasted for 2 years and I was getting ready to go down the wrong path and maybe waste a bunch of money. I should apologize to Custom Autosound because their radio is fine.

Thanks again,
Scott

[Michael A.]

Re: Poor radio reception and the conversion of radio to new electronics

Scott & Stu,
You may have solved the problem I'm experiencing with a recently purchased radio. Mine is a Ken Harrison installed in my 66 roadster. I use it mostly for the iPod connection which works great (I highly recommend this feature!). It is connected to an older after market antenna.

However the radio reception is weak. I don't get AM at all and the FM only works on nearby local stations. Even then it is usually bouncing between stereo and mono mode, which I'm guessing is a sign of weak signal. I guess I'll have to look for the reflector plate and the ground.

Thanks guys.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Poor radio reception and the conversion of radio to new electronics

Michael;

I believe that is shown well in the AIM for your 66. I learned about them back in the 70's when some one broke mine off. I first replaced the mast with an aftermarket piece, then replaced the entire antenna assembly when I had the exhaust system and spare tire tub out. That made it a lot easier, as I recall.

Stu Fox