From the manual, the HD icon is supposed to appear when tuned to an FM station that also broadcasts in HD. I have several stations in Seattle that do, but I never see the HD icon and the reception is really bad in the LR3 but is great in my other cars.
I know the radio reception pretty much sucks on these units which is why I'd love to hear what HD sounds like. Even my Sirius reception drops out if I drive under a shadow And AM, don't get me started. Other radios can receive AM signals in tunnels but the LR3 - no chance. Can't pick up AM to save my life.

 

I do not know what radio you have in your 3 but the full load Alpine 6CD-465 head unit that came stock with my HSE picks up both AM and FM radio signal better than a couple of GM vehicles I have driven.

The reception I regard as outstanding in fact. As such, I think you have an aerial problem first by the sound of it.

Sirius is supposed to drop out in building shadows etc, at least it did on a 2014 GMC pickup that I drove for work - and in that case, the shadows were just trees as I was out in the bush.

 

I agree that I might have an antenna problem, but quite simply - have no idea how to troubleshoot since they are on the windows. Wonder if it could be the amplifier...
I do have the 6-disc head unit.

Do you receive HD FM channels?

 

When I am trouble shooting I look at the simple stuff first.

The link below has wiring diagrams etc that show the various antennas, and that is a primary problem - the antenna are like you have never seen before and that is why the system can be so good.

As such, look for a loose FAKRA connector on the rear of the radio head first. The odds are it is not fully plugged in as no one much has any experience with that type of connector. You might do a Google re FAKRA so you can see what they look like. Re-insert the other normal connectors as well.

To start looking at the rear is like near impossible as all the connectors are above the head liner and they are probably OK anyway - at the dash end is when one might find something loose.

Yes, I have the radio with the 6 CD changer; that is sort of what the model number 6CD-465 indicates on the face of the head unit per the jpg above. I do not know what the 465 means however. What is printed on the face of your head unit?

There is no indication of HD on my radio, (what is that supposed to mean by the way?), plus my radio is an old one and does not have the Sirius function at all - that came in late 2006 or 7.

Your radio may be more of a LR4 radio than LR3 as in 2009, Land Rover was trying out various new systems in the 2009 LR3 that if successful, went into the 2010 LR4, hence you can never be certain just what in in your vehicle. As such, there is always the question as to if a particular system within your 3 is a tried and tested LR3 system or an experimental LR4 system. (I doubt this cheers you up.)

Re the amp, if CD's play loud and clear etc and your Sirius plays loud when it is in a clear area, then the amp is OK. Sirius reception is not as perfect as the advertising would lead you to believe. It is just a low cost one way sat phone or a mobile TV dish without the picture.

DISCO3.CO.UK Photo Gallery - NAV Radio BlueTooth phone and Rosen DVD

 

I know what you mean about the 2009 bbyer - I have the LR4 bluetooth module.

Regarding the amp, I was referring to the antenna amplifiers possibly being part of the issue.

I'll tear in to the rear of the head unit soon and check the connectors.

You can read a quick bit on HD radio broadcasts here if you like:
HD Radio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My head unit supposedly can decode HD for better sound quality. There's no controls for it, only an "HD" icon on the LCD that illuminates when tuned to a station that broadcasts HD over FM

You should be able to search your city's radio stations pretty easily to determine if any support HD.

Thanks Again

 

I appreciated the Wikipedia link; I am a real fan of theirs - even send them money each year.
I have read about the DAB format in Australia. It appears they have a different format or more than one and hence the LR4 radio shipped to Australia only accepts one of the formats; hence all are upset.

Here in Western Canada, radio is still regarded as a modern miracle along with running water. As such, we are grateful at whatever our government allows us. I guess what I am saying is that to my knowledge, no radio stations here broadcast in HD. Even seeing song names or station call letters on the display, (RDS I think it is called), is not all that routine.

Believe it or not, most of the circuit board stuff on our 3 is pretty reliable. Seldom is there a circuit board problem; more common is corroded conductors, loose connectors, the simple stuff that should not be a problem.

The following is a link to some material on all the antennas in the 3.

DISCO3.CO.UK Photo Gallery - NAV Radio BlueTooth phone and Rosen DVD/MOST fiber optic loop tool

Below is something I picked out of the above but the link has diagrams that infer locations of the various antenna.

One of the diagrams depicts fairly well the glass antennas and associated amplifiers.

The AM/FM antennas are located in the side and rear widow.


ON vehicles with the low line audio system the AM/FM antenna is located in the RH rear side screen.


On vehicles with a high line audio systems the system will be equipped with FM diversity tuning. This system ensures that the strongest of two signals is used by the radio system to ensure the best possible FM reception.


The standard AM/FM antenna is screen mounted in the RH rear side window and is connected to an antenna amplifier located above the screen.


The diversity system uses the same side window antenna and amplifier but also uses a rear heated screen element antenna and an FM antenna amplifier mounted at the top of the rear screen in the tail gate.