Bad fm reception creative/Cambridge SoundWorks CD 740.when i connect external antenna it doesn't improve.

Hi,
I looked up the manual and saw that the unit comes with an AM antenna loop. The first thing I would check is to find out if that antenna loop is properly installed. If it has come loose you won't get any reception at all.
Here is a link to the manual online if you need it:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/693500/Cambridge-Soundworks-Radio-Cd-745.html?page=2#manual

I spent $300 for the thing 10 yrs ago, then paid$125 for a display repair, now its crapping out repetitively and I refuse to pay ungodly sums to repair it again only to have the next thing fail in a few yrs. So, I plan to gut mine and convert to a speaker dock for my iPhone - small mini-amps are under $50 now. I plan to leave the speakers in the case since they are properly ported and sound great as is. I'll pull the speaker wires out the back and mount the amp on top - might not look pretty but it'll work just fine and some of these little amps have FM tuners, SD card readers and remotes. won't be as elegant but it'll sound good.

ok - whats the question?

Mine is dim also. Apparently sending it in for repair is not an option.

Unfortunately, the CD740 radio has reached end of service life. Parts are no longer available & we cannot repair them. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you need further assistance, please call us at -800-367-4434, Monday - Friday 9AM to 6PM central time.
--
Best Regards,

Cambridge SoundWorks

Sales and Support

HI there,

Well Yes you can improve the reception, please follow the below steps -

Improve FM Radio Reception -
 
1. If you don't have an antenna connected to your FM receiver, purchase a simple dipole antenna--a simple T-shape flexible wire-- and connect it to the FM antenna inputs on the receiver. Because FM signals are directional, you'll want to experiment with the positioning of the wire to find the best reception of the station you're trying to receive.
 
2. If you're still not getting a good signal, try an indoor amplified antenna, which you'll find at an electronics store. Don't buy one unless you get a guarantee that you can return it for full credit if it doesn't solve your reception problems.
 
3. If your signal is weak because you live a long way from the transmitter, install an outside antenna and mount it as high as is practical. If you're primarily interested in getting signals from one station or from a group of stations in one direction, get a directional antenna and point it toward the transmitters.
 
4. If you're using a portable FM radio where the only antenna is the power cord, stretch the cord as straight as possible and experiment with positioning again.
 
5. Temporarily switch to monaural mode to improve a weak signal on an FM receiver.


Improve AM Reception -
 
1. Gradually rotate the radio 360 degrees. Leave it in the position where it sounds best.
 
2. Reverse the AC plug if it isn't polarized. (If you can flip the plug over, then it's non-polarized.)
 
3. Plug the radio into a different AC outlet.
 
4. Move the radio closer to a window.
 
5. Experiment to learn if appliances and powered products in your home are causing interference: computer monitor, television, electric blanket, light dimmer, fluorescent light, hair dryer, air conditioner, smoke detector. If possible, turn off the offending item. Otherwise, move the radio to another room.
 
6. Upgrade to an external antenna if your receiver, tuner or radio has a place to connect one.
 
7. Buy a passive AM antenna that doesn't need to be connected to a radio or receiver.

Good Luck!!

Thanks

As far as I know, SoundWorks speaker systems don't have a CD slot. Why would they?
They're supposed to be connected to a computer, which has a CD/DVD drive.

Unplug the unit for 10 mins. Plug back in then hold the CD In button until it reads "RESET".

Have same problem. Cheap company, no POC phone number in handbook, no address.

I just had the same problem and called tech support (800) FOR HIFI at Cambridge Soundworks for help. All you have to do is unplug the radio for 30 minutes and then reconnect - kind of like rebooting a computer.

Try resetting the CD (Cambridge soundworks) by unplugging, then repluging. Then hold down the eject button while you turn on the power.