AM Radio Reception

[Rayser]

Hi, Wondering if anyone has experienced this problem with their radio. My AM reception is really weak and full of static. Fm and Satelite seem to be fine.

I would think that a unplugged antennae wire would affect the FM also, so I am at a loss to what happened.

(I have a 2010 Nissan Murano)

Thanks

Rayser

[Looneybomber]

Are you for real?

If so, AM radio is more susceptible to noise than FM, and by noise, I mean other electromagnetic interference. That is why radio stations started switching over from AM to FM back before you were born. To combat this problem, switch over to FM or satellite radio or move out in the country.

[WDRacing]

Does anyone even listen to AM anymore? The term AM reminds me of rabbit ears and having to turn knobs on my TV. No offense is meant...just sayin...

[Jesda]

AM is ideal for long distance listening because the signal travels in a long up and down wave. A lot of factory systems have the AM antenna inside the head unit. The external antenna is only for FM reception. In some cars, the AM antenna is built into the rear glass.

Is reception significantly worse during the day compared to night time?
Are you in an urban area with a large population and lots of AM signals?


You can try checking the antenna connector on the back of the radio, then make sure your antenna is properly secured by tightening the bolt or nut or screw that holds the antenna in place or checking for corrosion.

[Rayser]

I think I may have figured it out, just because of the coincidence. I had my rear window wiper replaced, and apparently to do that, you have to remove the rear liftgate panel (engineering genius desingned it). The antennae is embeded in the rear window, and is connected someplace underr the rear liftgate panel. I think a wire got broke or disconnected during the routine wiper blade replacement. Anyways, I am going to have the garage give it a look see tomorrow.

Thanks Jesda, The reception had been fine until the wiper fix.

Rayser

[Bubba1]

Does anyone even listen to AM anymore? The term AM reminds me of rabbit ears and having to turn knobs on my TV. No offense is meant...just sayin...

I listen mostly to Satellite radio in the car, but I do tune into AM once in awhile for short bursts and it ain't because I'm old. In both Philly & NYC there are 24/7 am news stations that give good traffic reports every 10 minutes. If I'm travelling in either city, their reports might enable me to alter my route so I don't get caught in delays.

[Dattebayo]

Any electric motor or device that uses wound wire coils is going to produce AM radiation that will interfere with your radio. That includes your wiper motors, alternator or any other moving electric device in your car you think of, really.

[Looneybomber]

In both Philly & NYC there are 24/7 am news stations that give good traffic reports every 10 minutes.

Traffic? Oh, that's that thing that makes me stop at more stoplights between 5 and 6pm. It's such a pain, but it's better than getting stuck behind a combine on the highway.

[darylzero]

Does anyone even listen to AM anymore? The term AM reminds me of rabbit ears and having to turn knobs on my TV. No offense is meant...just sayin...

Does anyone listen to AM anymore!?!? All the good sports radio is on AM. I think talk radio is a Midwestern thing. It's big in the Chicago area. I am guessing nobody listens to talk radio in L.A.

[Jesda]

Yeah, the traffic reports on KMOX are great, and on a road trip you can latch on to a strong AM single at night and carry it for hundreds of miles.

It's also amusing to use AM as a way of absorbing the local culture. Down in Kentucky I listened to the radio equivalent of Craigslist. People would call in, talk about what they had for sale, and leave a phone number.

FACTOID: The Oldsmobile Ciera/Cutlass Ciera, produced until 1996, came with an AM-only Delco radio tuner as basic equipment. FM and cassette were still optional! And if you were really cheap, you could remove have GM the radio entirely and save a couple bucks.

Imagine that. An AM-only radio in 1996!

[Bubba1]

Imagine that. An AM-only radio in 1996!

That is very amusing, but not too surprising for an Oldsmobile or Buick considering the average age of their new model buyers was above 60.

[Looneybomber]

Imagine that. An AM-only radio in 1996!

That is very amusing, but not too surprising for an Oldsmobile or Buick considering the average age of their new model buyers was above 60.

I laughed because it is so true. My grandparents on my mom's side have owned Buicks for as long as I can remember, starting with some blue station wagon. I think they upgraded to a new one every time they hit a deer.