Antenna signal problem with Kenwood receiver

maciejz · 14-02-2004, 11:06

Hi guys,

I used Kenwood headunits in my previous cars and thereforefore when i got the new Octavia I bought also the Kenwood (KDC-M6021). The radio was installed in Skoda service. They installed also on the antenna cable the connector that powers the antenna amplifier.
Unfortunately the radio doesn't work as expected. If I leave the city all works just ok, but if I drive in the city, or near cities, where the antenna signal should be strong, there are problems. Every few minutes I hear the noise, the stereo and RDS icons blinks and the radio switches between different freqs of the same station. I tried all the setting in the menu (Local Station, Regional etc.) but with no result. I tried also disconnect the power from the antenna amplifier, but then if I leave the city no station can be tuned.
Is it the signal from the antenna to strong or maybe my radio is broken? Any suggestions?

maffwilson · 14-02-2004, 19:03

I bet it's the antenna system.

I expect the antenna and signal amplifier are picking up noise, which is prevalent in built up areas (computers, mobile phones, pagers, radio systems for taxis/buses/police etc, wireless networks, telephone & power cables and so on all radiate). This noise interferes with the tuner in the radio (whether the fundamental or intermediate frequency stages) and leads to the break up of the broadcast signal you are listening to.

This could be caused by a problem with the wiring to the antenna - perhaps the outer braiding is broken. Or the antenna isn't a good match to the Kenwood unit. The amplifier might be a rubbish one which is just a broadband type that amplifes all and sundry, noise as well as wanted signals.

Maybe there's water in the antenna, or a bad earth connection.

Basically get it checked out by the installer.

If it isn't the antenna it's also possible for noise from the car's engine ignition system to cause this - a HT lead to a spark plug may be 'leaky' and producing noise. (No such problems on a diesel engine though, no spark ignition system!).

HTH

***DGW*** · 14-02-2004, 19:13

Welcome to Briskoda, maciejz.

Another member from Poland? I have moved your query to My ICE where it is more likely to get informed replies like the one you have just had.

maciejz · 16-02-2004, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGW

Welcome to Briskoda, maciejz.

Another member from Poland? I have moved your query to My ICE where it is more likely to get informed replies like the one you have just had.

Hi Denis,

Thank you for your welcome. As you see in Poland people also drive skoda :-) To be honest it's one of the most popular cars.

Thank you also for moving my post to better place, I'm new on this portal and I don't know anything. :-(

maciejz · 16-02-2004, 20:19

Thank you maffwilson for your advice. I have to visit the service. The problem is only that I bought the car, radio and antenna connector in three different places :-(

14-02-2004, 11:06	#1
maciejz Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Antenna signal problem with Kenwood receiver Hi guys, I used Kenwood headunits in my previous cars and thereforefore when i got the new Octavia I bought also the Kenwood (KDC-M6021). The radio was installed in Skoda service. They installed also on the antenna cable the connector that powers the antenna amplifier. Unfortunately the radio doesn't work as expected. If I leave the city all works just ok, but if I drive in the city, or near cities, where the antenna signal should be strong, there are problems. Every few minutes I hear the noise, the stereo and RDS icons blinks and the radio switches between different freqs of the same station. I tried all the setting in the menu (Local Station, Regional etc.) but with no result. I tried also disconnect the power from the antenna amplifier, but then if I leave the city no station can be tuned. Is it the signal from the antenna to strong or maybe my radio is broken? Any suggestions?

14-02-2004, 19:13	#3
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,135 Thanks: 49 Thanked 173 Times in 130 Posts	Welcome to Briskoda, maciejz. Another member from Poland? I have moved your query to My ICE where it is more likely to get informed replies like the one you have just had. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.09 mpg...

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14-02-2004, 19:03	#2
maffwilson Off we go Mo Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sussex Coast Posts: 735 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I bet it's the antenna system. I expect the antenna and signal amplifier are picking up noise, which is prevalent in built up areas (computers, mobile phones, pagers, radio systems for taxis/buses/police etc, wireless networks, telephone & power cables and so on all radiate). This noise interferes with the tuner in the radio (whether the fundamental or intermediate frequency stages) and leads to the break up of the broadcast signal you are listening to. This could be caused by a problem with the wiring to the antenna - perhaps the outer braiding is broken. Or the antenna isn't a good match to the Kenwood unit. The amplifier might be a rubbish one which is just a broadband type that amplifes all and sundry, noise as well as wanted signals. Maybe there's water in the antenna, or a bad earth connection. Basically get it checked out by the installer. If it isn't the antenna it's also possible for noise from the car's engine ignition system to cause this - a HT lead to a spark plug may be 'leaky' and producing noise. (No such problems on a diesel engine though, no spark ignition system!). HTH

16-02-2004, 20:19	#5
maciejz Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you maffwilson for your advice. I have to visit the service. The problem is only that I bought the car, radio and antenna connector in three different places :-(