My earth radio reception around Orlando stinks. I've heard complaints about the supplied antenna, but I haven't seen anyone suggest something better.

Is there a better antenna out there that isn't 6 feet long?

Thanks for the help.

Can the Honda part guys out there help?

Is Sat. Radio not an option? Since I got Sirius I have not listened to testic..., I mean terrestrial radio. :)


What are the issues you're having with your radio? Have you had the dealer take a look? It could be the radio itself, the antenna might have come unplugged, etc.

don't agree with the price of sat radio until they bring the price down...

lots of static, signal going in and out on local radio stations are the issues.

I'll have the dealer look at it when I go for my first oil change.

I just thought someone might know of a better antenna that would solve these problems, as the E's radio has the reputation for poor reception.

I too have been disappointed with the FM reception in my E, it's definitely worse than the radio reception in the Nissan pickup that the E replaced. I took a look in the parking lot at work and saw that several newer imports have a black antenna that's about twice as long as the stubby E one. I got on Ebay and ordered a replacement antenna for a 2006 Toyota Corolla, it came yesterday. It just screws into the base in place of the stubby antenna, same threads and everything. I was careful to check for clearance with my garage door opening, it clears with a couple inches to spare, your results may vary. My totally unscientific assessment of the FM reception on the way to work today was - no improvement, unfortunately. I'll leave it on for a while to give it more time.

I'll leave it on for a while to give it more time.

Keep us posted.

Anyone ever try one of these? http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Js6VURCjlik/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=12044UA60&g=270750&search=fm+booster

You might check to see that your antenna is securely connected. I had poor fm and no am reception. After three trips to the dealer they discovered that the antenna wasn't connected.

if your replacement antenna is angled back as the oem antenna, and you have the Honda rear wing on your hatch door, make sure you have clearance when the door is up! The oem antenna JUST clears it :D

No rear wing, but thanks for the caution. As far as the connection, do you mean up at the radio? The antenna is screwed tightly to the base on the top of the car.

You might check to see that your antenna is securely connected. I had poor fm and no am reception. After three trips to the dealer they discovered that the antenna wasn't connected.

Do you know which end wasn't connected? I have the same problem, but mine is long since out of warranty.

I get occasional fade around Herndon/Executive, but figured that was because of the flight-path radios. :) Otherwise fine.

As far as the connection, do you mean up at the radio.

At the radio. I believe the connection is behind the glove box. Search air cabin filter replacement to find out how to drop the glove box. It's easy to do.

Has anyone tried these FM antennae on their Element??

http://www.fanfare.com/fan-pric3.html#FM2GC

http://www.fanfare.com/fm2g-mobile.html

At the radio. I believe the connection is behind the glove box. Search air cabin filter replacement to find out how to drop the glove box. It's easy to do.

Hmm, behind the glove box would certainly be easier than pulling the radio. Can anyone confirm this?

I replaced the 8" stock antenna with an "AMI" brand 21 inch long "stubbie" model antenna. I got dramatically improved AM reception right away, receiving 770 Khz WABC New York City while driving in the Baltimore, MD area DURING DAYLIGHT, noisy, but readable. For practical purposes, I'm pulling in about 6 more clean signals/stations on both FM and AM.

The AMI Stubbie comes in lengths from 6" to 21", I went for the most length for the best reception. The antenna is a solid steel rod 1/4" diameter. It comes with two screw in adapters, one of them fits the Element antenna socket fine. The screw on the adapter is about 1/2" too long, so I used a few layers of black heat shrink tubing to hide the exposed threads (so it's not obvious to vandals that the antenna unscrews)

The extra weight of the antenna doesn't seem to be stressing the roof mount (the 21" weighs about 8 oz.) The clearance from ground to tip of the 21" is 7 feet, nominal on the 2007.