Toneboy

I seem to have got a greatly reduced radio reception on my Stream radio in recent weeks. I mostly use FM set to Radio 4 and thought at first it was a transmitter problem, but the problem exists over a wide area so it is unlikely that all FM transmitter power is down.

The aerial is screwed in tightly and looks clean however when you hold the aerial then reception greatly improves so it looks more like a reception gain problem.

Any other Stream users found a similar problem, if so how did you get the problem fixed?

Jat

I tend to get crosstalk from smaller stations around rushour time in the evenings. This only happens on BBC stations and not on local station. Must be something to do with the BBCs EON setup.
As for your concern, sounds like a dodgy earth. More than likely bad earth between the body and the aerial base.

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mlister5500

ive found that when im in the uk and the kids have the portable dvd on in the back it can interfere with bbc stations. as soon as you unplug the dvd player its fine .

Jat

Affects JUST the BBC stations?
What sort of effect do you get with the DVD operating?

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Jonno VRs

I can't say I've ever experienced reception problems, apart from when driving over parts of the A66!

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06 Skoda Octavia VRs 200 bhp (Black)
Coming soon: 58 Skoda Octavia VRs CR TDi (Candy White)
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Jat

A66 Yorkshire - well that explains it.

check out : Pathetic Motorways: A66(M)

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mlister5500

its normally just static but once you unplug the dvd player from the 12v socket its fine,

mlister5500

a66 not a good road, too many lorries

mannyo

Maybe they are doing maintenance on the local transmitter and its running on reduced power.

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2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi
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smstext

could also have something to do with the atmospheric pressure.. Ive actually found since day one the reception to be utter cack on the stream, my standard radio in my old astra was much better.

smstext

delete this one mod!! sorry

runboy

Yup, high pressure can affect the old airwaves so both radio and tv can be a bit fuzzy.

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2007 Octavia Hatchback, 2.0TDI DSG L&K in Black Magic.

Toneboy

Had it checked out at dealership today and they did some tests and felt they may have possibly fixed, but journey home proved this not to be the case.

When I arrived Service reception were on the phone talking to someone who had the same reception problem, but this time on LW Radio 4 and again it was an Octavia because I asked the receptionist. I think it spooked him a bit that standing in front of him was someone with the same problem, but he did also concede that Skoda was aware of this problem.

Radio 4 long wave is a very powerful transmitter and I just can not see both that and the BBC FM transmitters all giving reduced output at the same time so it has to be a problem on the vehicle. It is known some aerials have not been bonded correctly, but I suspect it is in the set itself because my LW reception is also pitiful.

Fred_Bristol

I've also been getting much poorer reception of radio 4 on either of the two FM frequencies that cover the south and north of Bristol (different transmitters) but normal reception on Radio Bristol and Classic FM. Assumed there might be a problem with the radio, but perhaps not if others have similar experience.

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Toneboy

I do not think it is the transmitters because the various static radios around the house, some located in iffy reception sections of the house are showing no loss of reception and/or constant fluff.

I am going to get hold of a length of earth wire and wrap around the vehicles roof Aeriel to see if this makes any difference because I am sure this problem is on this vehicle and it seems other Skoda Octavia. Also we do not seem to getting the same complaint from other forum users who drive other makes of vehicles and for that matter other Skoda models.

Or will we?

Zebra

I'm sure the dealer network were given a fix for this problem by Skoda in the form of a CD-Rom that they put in the Stream unit in 2005/6 which downloaded improved software for the reception.

Maybe someone more knowledgable can take this further?

Toneboy

I believe they used some sort of fix yesterday and it sounds like your discription above, but it does not appear to have worked.

Toneboy

Radio reception has now got steadily worse despite trying to boost the roof aerial with a piece of wire wrapped around it.

Reported this fact to servicing dealer and that his reprogramming efforts have failed and he is now to go back to Skoda presumably for authority to replace the radio unit.

Anyone using a different radio than this Stream unit? If so what make do you have and how good have you found it. This may be the right time to upgrade as I just hate driving without a good radio to listen to.

gmiles

Same problem here and if I bang on the roof next to the aerial it seems ok for a while. Must get it booked in!!

gadgetman

My 2007 build is dire!

Parked next to a lorry at lights, and I loose many high power stations and get static. Uraban canyons affect it too.

It's as though someones knicked the aerial!

ednmra

A lot of my problems disappeared when I played around with the settings in "Mode". Don't get those mini-explosions through the speakers anymore.

Toneboy

Had radio checked out again at Repairing Dealer, but no joy and they claim they have to get Skoda approval to do anything further in the meantime I have a radio that will not pick up anything unless it is close to a transmitter.

Like Gadgetman I find high sided buildings, large trucks reduce reception as do high hedgerows and any slight dips in the road.

I have four FM transmitters in close proximity in the area I live yet move a short distance from those transmitters and you loose reception very rapidly, so in areas where you have widely spaced FM transmitters reception is useless.

At the dealership I showed them how fluffy was the BBC4 long wave reception, but at the time the engine was not running, but when I started the engine, a TDI, the reception became so weak you could hardly hear it.

Trouble is the dealer checks the radio out sitting right on top of their local FM transmitter so get a good reception, but are reluctant to take the vehicle out into the countryside where reception drops away. Thus we are getting nowhere fast.

The radio reception was good and could pull in a good signal virtually anywhere I drove and then suddenly it all went down the pan, which is a great shame as the rest of the vehicle has been excellent to date apart from a crook cruise control, but now fixed.

figgyburn

i too have crap reception on mw trying to listen to talk sport. my fm reception is fine. i have had both the aerial and stream replaced but to no avail. the dealer did not have a clue what to do next. when i am out in the country the reception is better but in town its hiss city,hard to believe vag can't get a decent radio reception in 2007. this has to be major flaw as a lot of people have posted about this and even new cars just purchased seem to still have problems. in auto express i think they commented on the new fabia's poor radio reception as well. cheers john

smstext

ive tried a new aerial and messing with the settings, probably the poorest radio i have had for reception (my crystal radio kit as a kid was more reliable ) just load up the cd player with a cdmp3 disc and listen to a tone of pre recorded stuff and forget you have a radio

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Toneboy

Problem still ongoing and not getting any helpful response out from either Skoda UK or the servicing dealer and the reception seems to be getting worse.

The dealer states they are getting similar complaints about poor reception on both Octavia and Fabia, but when you talk to Skoda Customer Services they say they are not aware of any problems. Somebody is lying.

Skoda say they can not do anything without a detailed report from the servicing dealer and the dealer tells me they can not do anything without the go ahead from Skoda, talk about passing the parcel. If the dealer is telling the truth Skoda has the report, but chooses to do nothing and that is just not an option and I can see "Which" legal team getting involved in this one if they do not start to take the matter a bit more seriously.

I asked the servicing dealer if they had tried another brand of radio in place of the Stream, but the answer is no, so we are no nearer knowing if these Stream units are faulty or if the problem lies with aerials. Either way I still have a radio that only works when sitting on top of the transmitter move only a few miles away and reception becomes unlistenable.

Anyone had any joy in getting their reception problem solved?