AM Radio
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lake Saint Louis, Mo.
Age: 74
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AM Radio
Did a search on the audio section and the only thing i can find is like 4 years old. And most of the questions there concern upgrades, IPods, etc. I like to listen to AM radio once and awhile for a couple local talk shows. Tried AM for the first time yesterday - and got nothing - even on the strongest stations! Anyone have experience with this problem? I can probably live with it - but if it is an easy fix - ??
Thanks,
Shawn
Thanks,
Shawn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lake Saint Louis, Mo.
Age: 74
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dallas, the Republic of Texas
Age: 64
Posts: 7,951
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Age: 64
Posts: 13,469
Received 888 Likes
on
692 Posts
Re: AM Radio
My Roadster is an 05 with the Infinity Nav Radio and the AM reception is fair - same for the FM receptoin. Nothing outstanding, but both work fairly well.
Of course, the Roadsters use a deck-mounted antenna not that silly thing in the glass.
Remember:
1) If you can drive by an AM radio station's antenna tower and STILL not hear them - the antenna is not connected to the radio OR the radio has an internal defect. Select FM, if you can hear some stations, then the antenna IS connected.
2) If you can hear FM stations ok, but can't hear AM stations - the antenna IS connected, but either the antenna or radio are ineffective on the AM band. Those in-glass antennas are pretty poor at AM reception.
It is TOTALLY possible to have a radio that works on FM but not on AM, as the "Front ends" of the receivers are SEPARATE for AM and FM. About the only way to PROVE where the problem is, in the event you can hear FM and not AM - is to install a new antenna and see if he helps. But where would you mount a new antenna on a Coupe?
OR you could buy a new radio and try that!
Of course, the Roadsters use a deck-mounted antenna not that silly thing in the glass.
Remember:
1) If you can drive by an AM radio station's antenna tower and STILL not hear them - the antenna is not connected to the radio OR the radio has an internal defect. Select FM, if you can hear some stations, then the antenna IS connected.
2) If you can hear FM stations ok, but can't hear AM stations - the antenna IS connected, but either the antenna or radio are ineffective on the AM band. Those in-glass antennas are pretty poor at AM reception.
It is TOTALLY possible to have a radio that works on FM but not on AM, as the "Front ends" of the receivers are SEPARATE for AM and FM. About the only way to PROVE where the problem is, in the event you can hear FM and not AM - is to install a new antenna and see if he helps. But where would you mount a new antenna on a Coupe?
OR you could buy a new radio and try that!
Last edited by pizzaguy; 10-09-2009 at 03:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lake Saint Louis, Mo.
Age: 74
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: AM Radio
Thanks for all the info - I kinda like the radio as is - and I can live without AM - was just wondering if everyone had a similar problem - I know we have one of the strongest stations in the midwest in Saint Louis - and I can't hear a peep.
Originally Posted by pizzaguy
My Roadster is an 05 with the Infinity Nav Radio and the AM reception is fair - same for the FM receptoin. Nothing outstanding, but both work fairly well.
Of course, the Roadsters use a deck-mounted antenna not that silly thing in the glass.
Remember:
1) If you can drive by an AM radio station's antenna tower and STILL not hear them - the antenna is not connected to the radio OR the radio has an internal defect. Select FM, if you can hear some stations, then the antenna IS connected.
2) If you can hear FM stations ok, but can't hear AM stations - the antenna IS connected, but either the antenna or radio are ineffective on the AM band. Those in-glass antennas are pretty poor at AM reception.
It is TOTALLY possible to have a radio that works on FM but not on AM, as the "Front ends" of the receivers are SEPARATE for AM and FM. About the only way to PROVE where the problem is, in the event you can hear FM and not AM - is to install a new antenna and see if he helps. But where would you mount a new antenna on a Coupe?
OR you could buy a new radio and try that!
Of course, the Roadsters use a deck-mounted antenna not that silly thing in the glass.
Remember:
1) If you can drive by an AM radio station's antenna tower and STILL not hear them - the antenna is not connected to the radio OR the radio has an internal defect. Select FM, if you can hear some stations, then the antenna IS connected.
2) If you can hear FM stations ok, but can't hear AM stations - the antenna IS connected, but either the antenna or radio are ineffective on the AM band. Those in-glass antennas are pretty poor at AM reception.
It is TOTALLY possible to have a radio that works on FM but not on AM, as the "Front ends" of the receivers are SEPARATE for AM and FM. About the only way to PROVE where the problem is, in the event you can hear FM and not AM - is to install a new antenna and see if he helps. But where would you mount a new antenna on a Coupe?
OR you could buy a new radio and try that!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fennville, Michigan
Age: 85
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Age: 64
Posts: 13,469
Received 888 Likes
on
692 Posts
Re: AM Radio
I wish I was close enough to take a look at it for you, really do.
Finding someone to work on it won't be all that easy - most mechanics are not radio guys (and I am no mechanic), all they will do is trade out the radio and antenna (after some basic checks).
Not being critical, like I say, they aren't radio guys.
ME? I'v made a living working on radio equipment for 29 years. Just can't effectively troubleshoot without being there to fiddle with it.
About tint: Some tints have a metallic ingredient, and this will mask radio reception on both AM and FM bands, altho it has been demonstrated that the effect is worse on AM. It sounds like the OEM tint does not have a metallic content, from reading the posts here.
Finding someone to work on it won't be all that easy - most mechanics are not radio guys (and I am no mechanic), all they will do is trade out the radio and antenna (after some basic checks).
Not being critical, like I say, they aren't radio guys.
ME? I'v made a living working on radio equipment for 29 years. Just can't effectively troubleshoot without being there to fiddle with it.
About tint: Some tints have a metallic ingredient, and this will mask radio reception on both AM and FM bands, altho it has been demonstrated that the effect is worse on AM. It sounds like the OEM tint does not have a metallic content, from reading the posts here.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Age: 44
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: AM Radio
I'm about to add tints to my car. The installer was mentioning that if I want to continue to receive AM channels I should use a non-metallic tint material. SolarGard is what I am going to use. It's $15 more, but if you ever want to listen to AM, it would be necessary.
And I refuse to ruin the lines by installing an external antenna.
Just me.
And I refuse to ruin the lines by installing an external antenna.
Just me.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lake Saint Louis, Mo.
Age: 74
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: AM Radio
Yeah - my car had aftermarket tint on it when I got it. The tint does not LOOK metallic - but.....? I guess I could try the AM with the hatch open (not while driving though I guess)- That might let me know if it is the radio or the tint. ?? What you guys think?
Shawn
Shawn
Originally Posted by naudi90
I'm about to add tints to my car. The installer was mentioning that if I want to continue to receive AM channels I should use a non-metallic tint material. SolarGard is what I am going to use. It's $15 more, but if you ever want to listen to AM, it would be necessary.
And I refuse to ruin the lines by installing an external antenna.
Just me.
And I refuse to ruin the lines by installing an external antenna.
Just me.
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Age: 64
Posts: 13,469
Received 888 Likes
on
692 Posts
Re: AM Radio
em,
The AM broadcast band is very low in frequency - that is, VERY LONG wavelength. I can't imagine this will tell you anything. TRY it, OF COURSE if you hear better that way then you have your answer.
But with the tint a fraction of an inch from the antenna conductor I suspect you will not notice any difference.
BUT, I do want to hear what your results are!
The AM broadcast band is very low in frequency - that is, VERY LONG wavelength. I can't imagine this will tell you anything. TRY it, OF COURSE if you hear better that way then you have your answer.
But with the tint a fraction of an inch from the antenna conductor I suspect you will not notice any difference.
BUT, I do want to hear what your results are!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lake Saint Louis, Mo.
Age: 74
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: AM Radio
Pizza Guy- thanks for the info - you sound like you know what you might be talking about - (I am hoping I would sound the same talking about large electrical Generators- LOL). Are you coming to Saint Louis next year??
Em4ce
Em4ce
Originally Posted by pizzaguy
em,
The AM broadcast band is very low in frequency - that is, VERY LONG wavelength. I can't imagine this will tell you anything. TRY it, OF COURSE if you hear better that way then you have your answer.
But with the tint a fraction of an inch from the antenna conductor I suspect you will not notice any difference.
BUT, I do want to hear what your results are!
The AM broadcast band is very low in frequency - that is, VERY LONG wavelength. I can't imagine this will tell you anything. TRY it, OF COURSE if you hear better that way then you have your answer.
But with the tint a fraction of an inch from the antenna conductor I suspect you will not notice any difference.
BUT, I do want to hear what your results are!
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Age: 64
Posts: 13,469
Received 888 Likes
on
692 Posts
Re: AM Radio
Originally Posted by emforce
Pizza Guy- thanks for the info - you sound like you know what you might be talking about - (I am hoping I would sound the same talking about large electrical Generators- LOL). Are you coming to Saint Louis next year??
Em4ce
Em4ce
Re: AM Radio
I had the same problem about 1 1/2 years ago AM just stopped working while FM was fine - turned out to be an AM signal amplifier quit working. Replaced by the dealer under warranty (my only warranty issue after 2 1/2 years and 28K miles) has worked fine since. If interested I will pull the service bill and send you the part number/information.
Don't know about the tint effect - but if all the stations are totally dead before you rip off the tint look into the amplifer - maybe test the tint effect with a temporary antennna or try the AM radio with the hatch and side windows open.
Don't know about the tint effect - but if all the stations are totally dead before you rip off the tint look into the amplifer - maybe test the tint effect with a temporary antennna or try the AM radio with the hatch and side windows open.
The following users liked this post:
crsfiredup (09-14-2021)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Selbyl
WTB - Items/Parts Wanted to Buy - Archive
2
09-26-2015 04:15 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)