Poor FM Reception

[rrbhokies]

Anyone else having problems with poor FM reception? Most of my channels are going in/out. I see the stereo indicator going on/off and I get lots of static. This hasn't been a problem with my previous vehicles. I wonder if it has anything to do with the placement of the RL's antenna. Isn't it tucked under the roofline someplace? At least with the Odyssey, it's built into the side window. I'm all for streamlining the vehicles and doing away with those stupid external antennas, but what's the point if the radio won't work?

[Spritegeezer]

I have no idea if it is still the case but car radios (pre-stereo) had antennae trimmers. Anyone know if that is the case. I remember that they were usually a screw next to where the antennae cable entered the unit. I think the drill was to tune the radio to the lowest frequency station and turn the screw for best reception. Ancient history, I'm sure.

[Rocker]

My reception is not as good as my previous vehicle. I told Honda about it on one of their survey calls and they acknowledged the problem and that others had complained.

[shingles]

Yes, I've got it as well.
It's most noticable on talk FM, ie NPR.

While it bugs me, it doesn't bug me enough to risk having the dealer tear the truck apart. It on the other hand might give me incentives to keep XM.

[mugen1]

It's get good reception and get lousy sound, or get lousy reception and poor sound. Funny thing is, the cheaper the radio, the better the reception. This might not be the case for the Ridgeline as it might very well be the type and location of the antenna. I did install an aftermarket window mounted antenna, hoping that it would be better. I found it to be the same or worse than stock. Both are amplified, BTW. I did not try installing a traditional whip antenna (I'll leave that up to someone else).

If you have an aftermarket deck, you can adjust the settings on the radio section (mono/stereo/local/etc.). Can you do the same on the Nav unit? I never bothered to adjust the FM when I had the stock 6 disc changer in the RL.

So, if you really want to, you can always swap out your 6 disc CD changer or your Nav system for an old school Ford or GM radio. Now those had good reception. Great whip antennas, too. :-)

On a side note, I would also get XM Radio if it offered local stations. Call me nuts, but I like commercials and listening to the local headcase DJ's.

[denvrfan]

can't tell you the last time I listened to FM or AM (if ever) in my Ridgeline. It's either XM or CD for my listening preferences.

[tedridge]

My FM reception is terrible too. I end up listening to XM most of the time but even with all those channels I prefer the public radio station WFUV (90.7 in the NYC area) out of Fordham University. The Ridgeline's radio stinks on that station compared to the old stock FM radio and whip antena in my old F150.

[swampler]

My FM is acceptable. There are some spots out of town where I work that don't pick up good, but for the most part I can't complain about the reception.

[captmiddy]

Reception is better than my Civic but a little worse than my Subaru was. Still the old Ford Escorts I had would be deemed as having the best reception I have had in a car. But even with it being a little worse than one car, I can still listen to anything I generally do without a problem, just on long trips I lose the stations sooner than normal. Like going up to Maine, in the Subaru could keep the station until I reached the state border now I lose it just over the NH border. But with XM I am happy.

[ROColorado]

I think Honda's effort to hide the antenna was really successful, although the FM signals can't seem to find it either.