CLARION SOUND SYSTEM FREQUENCY PROBLEM

[Fatboy206]

My 2008 SN 206 is fitted with a Calrion sound system but the problem is that I am unable to pick up FM 103.2 which is a popular radio music channel here in Dubai. My SUV and car and other vehicles pick the signal up easily enough but not my boat sound system. I pick up other radio stations either side of the one I need. I've followed the manuals instruction for tuning and still no joy. Can anyone suggest a solution please.

[AuMDLST]

RE: CLARION SOUND SYSTEM FREQUENCY PROBLEM

Your vehicles most likely have an antenna/receiver that is exposed (i.e. - pointing in roughly a vertical position)
whereas your boat/206 antenna is most likely mounted horizontally under the gunwale.

Look under the gunwale for the antenna and adjust it - or get some sat radio

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: CLARION SOUND SYSTEM FREQUENCY PROBLEM

Fatboy206,

First, I like AuMDLST's suggestion of accessing the factory antenna and trying to reposition it vertically for more signal strength.

The base of a passive automotive antenna is often grounded to the vehicle's metal body. So you might try attaching a ground wire to the antenna's coaxial shield at the base (even though its grounded at the HU).

Try disconnecting the amplifier(s) via the remote lead and running just the bow speakers off the HU as a test. Sometimes the amplifier high speed switching power supply can emit RF that selectively disturbs radio reception. If this is the case then there are a couple of solutions we'll get into later.

If its just a matter of signal gain then you can add an electronic/amplified antenna. These are not particularly effective in vehicles moving among buildings and sources of multipath but work great in marine applications. Email me for more information.

While not applicable in your situation, when a HU is in the driver's dash, its beneficial to use a coaxial extension to reposition the antenna farther down the gunwale interior to create distance away from the dash management electronics.

David
Earmark Marine

[steve-o]

RE: CLARION SOUND SYSTEM FREQUENCY PROBLEM

Isn't his problem related more to the fact that Europe and Mid-East use offset band that we don't have on stereos in the US? I think his HU might need to be configured to allow for EU tuning or whatever it is called. Might not be an option on the HU. Mine has the ability to tune all channels or just US channels (.1, .3, .5, .7, .9). If that is the problem, look through the setup menu for tuning or something like that. No FCC over there so you can broadcast on all channels not just the "allowed" ones.

[Fatboy206]

RE: CLARION SOUND SYSTEM FREQUENCY PROBLEM

Guys, thanks for the feedback. Pardon my ignorance, but what's a HU?

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: CLARION SOUND SYSTEM FREQUENCY PROBLEM

HU = Source Unit or Heat Unit.

Steve-O's analysis of the problem makes sense to me.

David
Earmar Marine

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: CLARION SOUND SYSTEM FREQUENCY PROBLEM

*Head Unit.