UStifosi

Just purchased the car '02 C230K 3 days ago with the Bose system plus 6 disc CD. Every local station is fuzzy at best. I cannot pick up anything at all over 30miles away. Is there a local/distance setting that I am missing? It almost feels like the antenna coupling is loose in the head unit. Is that possible? How hard is that to check? Where exactly is the antenna? The 3" plastic nub sticking up near the rear hatch is for the phone option, right? Assuming everything is hooked up correctly is there an optional upgrade to the antenna for better reception? I cannot believe this radio cannot clearly pick up stations 15 miles away!

jbcritch

Do you have window tint? The metal in the tint can interfere with radio reception...but should not be that bad...

UStifosi

Nope, I don't have any window tint. It's almost like it is set on a "local" setting instead of "distance".

Brunelleschi

My radio reception sucks as well. It did with my factory unit, and still does with my aftermarket unit. I have considered putting a signal booster in there just to see what happens, but haven't gotten that motivated just yet.

Buellwinkle

Take it in to the dealer. There's an antenna amplifier inside the hatch above the window, if it gets wet it can get damaged and you'll have poor reception. Or count your blessings and see this as an excuse to get satelite radio (XM or Sirius).

Keithb

Just where is the radio antenna on a C Coupe??

Buellwinkle

It's the 2' long antena rod on the right front fender. No, wait, that's our Mustang. It's in the rear hatch window, kinda like the defroster is.

UStifosi

Thanks for the ideas. I should have done a search first. Evidently this is a common problem. I'm thinking the amplifier is the problem. I see in some instances the rear window had to be replaced.