Very poor radio reception

[USNMM1VETERAN]

Hi I have a 2014 Forester 3051s and I also have horrrible to nonexistant am&fm reception. I asked my dealer and he said that they have had quite a few complaints from both Sunseeker and Forester owners. So this is not a bad antenna or poor ground problem, it is a design problem. Their only suggestion was to see if there was a more powerful antenna, aftermarket, to try. So does anyone know if something is availabe as a direct replacement that could overcome the uppercab overhang.

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[Snowman9000]

It's not just the Magnadyne unit. Mine came with a Jensen and as I mentioned earlier, it's not so great on either AM or FM. I have a little Sangean portable AM/FM/Weather radio that kicks the heck out of the RV radio as far as picking up stations, so I use it all time in camp.

[MrJoe]

I noticed our antenna looks shorter than a regular van. Likely because of the front cap... I'm pretty sure it's partially explains the reception.

[bclemens]

We use the stock Ford antenna. Just make sure it is screwed in tightly. At shows, when its slow I like to unscrew them and use them as a sword. Maybe I was distracted and left a few loose.

[MrJoe]

Antenna was tight, but there was some cotton candy on it. Must have been some party Mr. C

[DrJMB]

Understanding the design and placement of the antenna is problematic with class C MH, the overarching question is what is the best way to improve the reception?

[TomG]

Best way to solve the problem is to hook up to satellite radio.

[RvBill3]

Originally Posted by TomG

Best way to solve the problem is to hook up to satellite radio.

x2

[KQ2N]

In class C units, the cab over is the problem with the cab fender mounted antennas. Before I purchased my 2860DS with the specially ordered cab antenna to be placed on the coach roof during the build, I had a 2300 with the identical problem. I experimented with the stock fender antenna placement. Moving it away from under the cab over made a big improvement, hence my special order to put the antenna on the coach roof on the 2860.

[dcogs15]

I have similar poor radio reception on our 3051 & Magnadyne radio. Sometimes can't even pick up WJR 760AM 30 miles north of Detroit! I've concluded that the problem is caused by fender-mounted antenna being shielded by the class C cab. The outside radio works much better (roof-mounted antenna). I purchased a "Y" adapter antenna cable and plan to try tapping the vehicle radio into the roof-mount antenna. Not sure how to route the cable between the O/S radio and the vehicle radio.....a project for summer!

[DrJMB]

That seems like the best solution

[Still Kickin]

Poor reception with a factory roof mounted antenna on a Solera, with a magnadyne M4 radio. Not sure how you could improve the reception. Your right about Sat. Radio. But throwing money at a problem usually, not always, seems to cure a problem. Just wish I knew if its the radio's selectivity, or the antenna, roof mount location issue.

[phelpo]

I agree my new Jenson has limited reception. Where has
anyone placed a roof mounted antenna and got great reception?

Phelpo

[Rrickim63]

Having been an old car stereo installer for years, I have found the reason for poor reception is usually a combination of the following.

Inferior antenna. Cable or extensions that may have been added. Poor ground plane especially on antennas that maybe mounted in non metallic panels. Having an antenna below the height of an overhang should not have an adverse affect on reception.

1999 Silverado with tow package

2006 Roo 23B hybrid

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by DrJMB

I have a 3050s with the fender antenna and I get horible reception. Is there a alternative to replace the antenna? Add one on the roof would seem logical but a impossible to imagine how to wire? Any thoughts?

Yes, our new 3050S has terrible FM reception as well. Wonder why they would not have tied it into the roof antenna. I'm sure the Coach overhang has a lot to do with this problem. Maybe using a splitter for the roof antenna is an option as long as the lead is not hard to find..

We haven't activated our XM yet, so we'll see how that turns out.

[phelpo]

Brian,

Way doesn't FR tie the dash radio with the radio antenna
that is on my roof? I have the outside entertainment center

That radio seems to have great reception.

Phelpo

[phelpo]

Why that is

[bclemens]

Because 100% of units get the dash radio, so 100% of the units get tied into the chassis antenna. Only a small percentage get an outside radio, so to try and have them tie into that antenna and add another connector and more wiring from the dash is asking for other troubles

[phelpo]

Brian

have you looked into installing a roof top antenna
on all your rigs?

The other thing I noticed while driving my 2015 in
the rain, opening the door and the rain pours
in on the inside of the door! You do have a small
rain gutter extender how about a longer one?

Just an idea

Phelpo

[bclemens]

The new cap design pushed the gutter back. looking at a longer one. i looked at other mfg.'s and they're not running any gutter.