FM problem: Two antenna inputs in JBL 6-CD changer/casette headunit in camry 2003?

I just replaced the JBL 6-CD changer/casette headunit in camry xle

2003 with a Pioneer DEH-P7000 BT. The FM reception is not good. It is better than what it was earlier, though, which is not saying much.

While replacing the headunit I realized that there was another cable connected to the original just next to the 75ohm antenna unit. The cable pin was narrower than the antenna connector pin.

My question is: What does the other cable do? Is it (a) Another antenna wire? (b) power to the antenna amplifier? (c) none of the above.

I have heard tell of two antenna systems where the head unit detects which one is stronger and chses that one.

I have also heard that some cars have antenna radio amplifiers that need to be powered.

Maybe I have wired the thing wrong?

Any advice where to look?

Thanks

Reply to
raj
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I am answering my own question. It turns out that my Camry has a diversity antenna and an antenna booster. The Crutchfield guys (they are great) figured that out and suggested that I check if I wired up the blue wire from the Pioneer head unit to the blue/white wire in the harness supplied by them and after I fixed that problem everything works.

So, I have the bigger antenna connector going into the Pioneer HD tuner GX-P10HD unit. The output of the HD tuner is fed to the main headunit using Pioneer's own IP-Bus cable which comes with the HD tuner. I now have the blue wire connected to the blue/white wire. (BTW, any time someone mentions colored wires, don't you want to scream: "Don't cut the red wire! Cut the blue wire!!! Kaboom!!!!")

The whole system from Crutchfield along with their support was so nice that people think that the mounting is part of the factory install!!! I had thought about buying from some other store for less money but Crutchfield included the right mounting, correct harness, and wonderful after sales support. They kept at it till my problem got resolved. Actual dollar difference was max $20 after adding the costs of all the parts. On the other hand, I got support worth few hundred dollars and the right look. To my good-looking half, the look is very important!

The Pioneer DEH-P7000 BT comes with BT handsfree profile and a zillion other profiles including bluetooth audio streaming. After pairing, the address book gets copied over to the Pioneer from my Blackberry Curve (8320). Calling and answering calls is easy.

The best part is that you can play your music loud and an incoming call will cut off the music and ring the phone. BT connection is easy: you just walk into the car and it connects with the paired phone.

No echo, clean operation. Sony sucks.

Many add-on BT units have issues that require you to connect explicitly every time you enter the car.

The controls takes some getting used to and very hard to operate while driving.

Another short-coming: addresses max out at 400 per addressbook. There are 3 address books, one per paired phone, three paired phones max. USB, iPod, extra is great. Just attach a simple USB drive and listen to music.

HD-Radio: Clean cutover from analog to digital when signal is good. In the bay area I can finally listen to KDFC HD1 and HD2 (102.1) with no noise.

Reply to
raj

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