E36 Powered Radio Antenna

[kenbmw]

I know this question has circulated before however I have not seen an answer that applies specifically to my situation.

I have an E36 convertible with an aftermarket Alpine system. I have lousy radio reception. I know that E36's came from the factory with a powered antenna. Mine is no longer there (???) With an aftermarket Alpine head unit, is it still necessary to have a powered antenna.

If so, is it necessary to use the BMW powered antenna or are there aftermarket antennas that work better, cost less etc. My priority is to improve my radio reception.

Any advice or first hand experience is welcomed. TKS

Ken

[VMZ]

Is the whole antenna unit missing or only the mast? Replacement masts are easy to come by, but I have never looked for the whole assembly.

An after market head unit will need an antenna just as much as the factory head unit.

I dare say an after market one will be the only cost effective solution, genuine BMW part prices tend to be a bit over the top and this is a part there isn't much of a demand for.

[kenbmw]

The entire factory antenna has been replaced with a cheap dime-store retractable. Regardless, I have used cheap antennas before and never had a reception issue like this.

What I really need to figure out; which you alluded to; is can I replace the antenna with an aftermarket or will I need the powered factory antenna in order to get reception.

I'm not sure what role the powered factory antenna plays if the head unit is not longer a factory unit?

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Ken

[ctoddkc]

Your profile says that you have a 97 convertible. Mine's a 99 convertible, and I have what I understand to be the only antenna that came from the factory on 94-99 e36 convertibles--the rather cheap, half length, stubby fixed mast. If memory serves me correctly, the 91-93 e36 convertibles, which were a different body style, had a nice power retractable antenna. I, too, have lousy reception on my radio, which is why I'll be converting mine with an aftermarket power antenna. These are available from various places, I understand, but in my early searches, I have found two or three suppliers on eBay (simply type in bmw e36 power antenna conversion)...some which include several different flanges for the base which can adapt to your particular vehicle for looks and stability. I'm hoping to hear some advice from anyone else who has converted theirs, as I plan on trying to do a DIY on mine (I swapped a Cadillac antenna out once, so hopefully, this won't be too different). Best of luck on improving your reception.
ctoddkc

[jitsjaf2009]

I had a similar problem and found that the previous owner had "jury-rigged" the old antenna connector to the new radio, and had not grounded the radio or antenna sleeve. I corrected the connection with an appropriate adapter from Radio Shack and made sure I had a good ground at the antenna mounting. Now works great. If you get better reception on FM than you do on AM...and AM is real 'spotty'...it is likely the antenna installation...even the 'dime-store' antennas will work if you are not in a real fringe area, and properly installed.