Elantra antenna signal booster??

New to the site. Enjoyed browsing over the last two weeks looking for a solution to the terrible am reception on the GT radios. I also got the "That's how they are" speech from the dealer! Has anyone tried the JC Whitney signal booster? Supposed to plug into back of radio and increase signal strength by 3x. Only $10.00 plus shipping, but looking for a success story first, 'cause I don't really want to rip open my dash if I don't have to. Thanks for any assistance.

Reply to
elantra05newbie
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I don't recall how the antenna's mounted on the Elantra. Bad AM reception is commmon nowadays. However, (I'm thinking about traditional radios)there's an adjustment screw named an "antenna trimmer" that is accessable from the outside of the radio cabinet. There's an easy way to adjust it while listening to a station. I think it's typically around

14,000 Not sure how this is done on digital radios, or even if it still is done. With terrible reception, though, I'd be looking at the antenna and how it connects to the radio. And try the radio in a different same model car to see if "they're all like that." I've only put one digital radio into a car, and I can't recall if I made an adjustment or not.

I've heard that Hyundai's radios are pretty poor. I've got the top-ish model in my 2000 Sonata, and I'd say that it's adequate, not much more. I hate the confusing buttons -- they're too deco. Very bad human engineering when you've got to take your eyes off the road in order to find the station buttons. Stupid, really.

Boosters usually work on FM, not AM. And don't get me started on the trustworthiness of things in the JC Whitney catalog. Once every ten years, I forget, place an order, the then get a refresher in why it's been ten years...

Richard

Reply to
Richard Steinfeld

Hi

i have solved this problem

ive posted full details on elantraxd.com

Link:

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Yellow_Elantra

Reply to
Yellow_Elantra

Is there anthing special about this cable (shielding, etc.)? Is there a specific reason to use a 5 meter cable or will a 3 meter (10') cable work?

Reply to
Brian Nystrom

Thanks for the tip. I bought the cable locally. Now I need to get behind the dashboard to put it in and check it out. Brand new car - any ideas on how to get at the radio without taking out the whole dash? I'd hate to break something before the car even goes in for its first checkup! Thanks again.

Reply to
elantra05newbie

Sounds like the problem is poor shielding so you need to use the same impedance as the old cable but length is probably not an issue. If there is an antenna trimmer you should peak the signal with the new cable.

Reply to
nothermark

You have to remove the dash facia in order to get at the radio. There are two screws above the speedo/tach and two inside the ash tray. The rest it held by clips. The clips have been known to pop off so watch for that. Pop the facia loose, then unclip the electrical connectors and it comes right off. It's not a major endeavor. Instructions are available at

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Reply to
Brian Nystrom

Thanks to all for your input. Unfortunately it looks like it's back to the dealer for me. I tried 'yellow elantra's' cable; signal stayed the same, ok but weak. I changed the antenna; signal was worse. Then I tried a "signal booster". Worked great on FM. Even though FM was good, I did notice a stronger signal on 2 stations. But it absolutely cut out AM!! Nothing at all. So now the car's all back together the was it was initially, and I'm going to leave it up to the dealer to fix. Again, thanks for all your input. I wish for all the AM sufferer's sakes we could have solved this.

Reply to
elantra05newbie

When you replaced the cable, did it cut down on static from the cruise control? I can live with weak signals as long as I don't have to contend with noise generated by the electronics in the car.

Reply to
Brian Nystrom

Brian,

I don't seem to be getting any electronic interference, i.e. whining or buzzing. This is just a bad signal, particularly in lowlands. If I crest a hill the reception is usually better.

Reply to
elantra05newbie

Note to yellow_elantra: I misunderstood your directions and tried it again. I ran an independent antenna cable from the antenna across the right side floor board and up into the radio. What a difference! My 3 stations, ranked 9, 6, and 3 on a scale of 1 to 10 are now ranked 10, 9 and 7!! Thanks so much for your help.

Note to Brian: This did work, and it worked very well. Total cost: $8 bucks. Between you and hyundaitech you seem to be the guys on line all the time. Please feel free to pass this on as a legitimate fix, and give the credit to yellow_elantra.

Thanks to all for your help.

Reply to
elantra05newbie

Yea? thats great elantra05newbie,

If possible,could you please re-post your post on elantraxd.com under my thread?

It seem to have been forgotten.

happy to help

Yellow_elantra

Reply to
Yellow_Elantra

Sounds good, I'll try it myself.

Will do.

Reply to
Brian Nystrom

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