AM radio reception

Shimon · Jan 15, 2006

My AM reception in my truck (85 F250 diesel) is terrible. I have an Eclipse CD5444 stereo which is a very good one but I have better reception with my 88 Ranger (stock radio) and the wife's 99 Subaru (stock stereo).

I've got a a good ground and do notice I have alternator noise so I'm going to get one these Newmar 150 amp noise filters. But is there anything else I can do to improve AM reception? Any antennas or booters? Thanks.

Glenn9643 · Jan 15, 2006

Forty or so years ago about all we had was AM... If I recall there was a screw near the tuning knob on the radio chassis, and you set the tuner to a station (not sure about the range, but I think in the 1400 range) and then adjusted the screw to "tune" it in. Don't know if that is still the case for AM, as mine in my truck works fine. My problem with AM is trying to get it on a set in the shop or house. AM antenna's don't seem to work there as well as they do in a vehicle for some reason, and I've not been able to find a tuning screw.

tractorwheel · Jan 15, 2006

Shimon, if I were you I would invest in a sirius satellite radio and do away with that AM situation. The new units have a built-in antenna and plug into the cig. lighter. They come ready use right out of the box. All you have to do is call and get it going /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. You can have all the 'talk radio' you want plus alot of music variety.

Shimon · Jan 15, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would invest in a sirius satellite radio)</font>

Can you get local broadcasts like baseball games with satellite radio?

Modern stereos pretty much all have digital tuners and I don't think there any adjustments to them. I went out to the truck and turned on the radio without the engine running and the reception was clear. Started her up and I had no reception...just noise. So, the alternator is putting out a lot of noise. I checked the alternator and it has less than .5 VAC of ripple so the diodes are still good and the alternator works fine otherwise so I guess I'll get that line filter and see if that helps. Also might upgrade my antenna to one of those loaded coil antennas from C.Crane.

tractorwheel · Jan 15, 2006

satellite has college and NFL. Sorry i am not much help with the AM radio. good luck with it. I am curious to know if the new antenna works.

HGM · Jan 15, 2006

Satelite radio is great, they do have dedicated sports channels. This year should bring NASCAR to Sirius and every football game(to my knowledge). Sorry, cant comment on baseball, but I would immagine. If you goto sirius.com and check it out, they have channel/programing guides..

I've had Sirius for 2yrs now(didnt like XM) and wouldnt be without it. You can hear just about anything you want and probably a bunch that you dont(at least you have a choice)..The only thing that you might miss is certain talk shows that havent jumped on baord yet.

Shimon · Jan 15, 2006

Took a look at the Sirius web site and it doesn't appear that they carry any baseball broadcasts.

I think I'll stick with free radio for now as long as I can get my reception going. I mostly listen to books on CD anyway and occasionally AM radio for news, talk shows and baseball games.

HGM · Jan 15, 2006

Yea,
Its not for everyone I guess..... I think its great for me though.. Good luck with the reception /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Shimon · Jan 15, 2006

Looks like XM radio carries all MLB games.

goaliedad · Jan 15, 2006

I would suggest finding out who in your area works on car radios- most dealerships will farm this work out- I suspect a problem with the antenna. My boss recently was in a car-deer collision- after they fixed his car his AM reception was junk. This was a real bummer as we work for an AM-FM radio station. Long story- short- local shop replaced car antenna- boss now happy.