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I had my car for a few days before I swapped out the head unit. I'd never tried the AM reception. The new HU picks up FM fairly well, but AM is almost non existent. I live in Houston, TX and barely get one station. It is very bad. Does the stock radio receive AM well? Is there a replacement mast I could use to improve reception, or is the new radio defective?
AM works fine for me. AM reception is done with a wire-wound antenna usually built in to the radio, unless designs have changed.
I had reception problems in my last car and I installed the following inline amplifier and it helped a lot.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/122451934124
I do know the AM/FM reception in mine is piss poor. The volume is lower and sound quality is lacking. But the CD/AUX/USB works wonderful. I never really use the AM/FM I guess.
Man, I love AM radio. The medium-wave frequencies can carry great distances at night, much like shortwave. I've been fascinated with radio wave propagation for a long time and enjoy scanning for what distant stations I can pick up, especially during high sunspot activity.
There's nothing like long-distance road trips with AM radio. What are some of your favorite AM programs? Laugh at the thought but we have a great local gardening show on Saturday mornings here in Cleveland. Good times.
Where's my Radio Shack DX-399...
When I travelled alot I would listen to Coast to Coast late at night, Oddball stuff, it kept me awake because the subjects were so out there! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Eggman
There is an antenna amplifier at the base of the antenna, and yes, AM reception should be fine.
I listen to English (UK) AM stations in southern Germany, but for that had to put a 470uF capacitor from +ignition to earth for getting rid of residual ignition interference.
If your AM reception is bad, check the antenna amp has 12V when the radio is on. The 12V lead is an extra wire parallel to the antenna cable, leeding to the amp. The antenna amp can be accessed by removing the upper rubber sealing from the trunk lid. It is under the antenna socket.