2012 Tech Package AM radio not working

[beatles]

I am not a big AM radio fan but tried my AM the other day and getting mostly static. Tune to known stations and hear faint signal but almost like there is no antenna. Afraid to have dealer look at it since I don't use it much and I can see them pulling dash etc. Anyone have this experience? What was the FIX?

 

[landtuna]

You don't say where you are located so be aware that the AM band today is just that - mostly static. Except for some blowtorch AM signals you will not find many clear signals as compared to FM these days. That is a result of all the interference in the AM frequency range by computers, neon lights and electric motors of all kinds.

Test your AM reception as follows: during daytime, get as far away from buildings as possible and tune to a station having a "good" signal, preferably 50,000 watt or greater. The range to the transmitter should be not more than 100 miles and lower frequencies are better (550, 620 etc.). If you still cannot get a clear AM signal then have your radio and antenna checked out. AM stations frequently change their signal direction and/or lower their power at night so as not to interfere with each other so do your testing during daylight.

 

[veed]

slight aside ... if you've never listened to HD AM radio, you're in for a heck of a shock. exceptional quality. hdradio.com might help you find a station local to you.

 

[landtuna]

"veed" makes a point I had neglected to mention.

There are some AM stations that transmit an "HD" signal. "HD" is a marketing term applied to transmitters utilizing IBOC technology. Listening to an AM-HD signal is great. No noise and FM-like quality. Listening to an adjacent non-HD signal however can be really irritating since the IBOC technology bleeds outside its assigned limits. You would either hear a squeal, hiss or distorted signal and it may come and go as some stations turn on and off their HD exciter.

If your radio equipment has digital technology you should hear a perfectly good signal or nothing at all when tuning into an AM station. If your radio does not have a digital component you may hear IBOC interference.

There have been many attempts (suggestions) to have the FCC eliminate HD Radio technology from the AM band but so far stations have been dropping it voluntarily. Digital signals work very well on FM but not so much on AM.

 

[John Lemmon]

get as far away from buildings as possible and tune to a station having a "good" signal.

 

[DRS]

What kind of add on window tint are you using (if any).. Many will block the larger wavelength of AM but allow decent FM shorter wavelength to come through (but still degrades).

And many modern tint will affect the HD FM (and AM) a bunch.

Oh, and if you tint the front windshield, your radar detector will degrade. And if Valentine One, the 360 degree range is cut back (rear antenna gets its signal from side windows and real window degrades.

 

[scottdk]

What kind of add on window tint are you using (if any).. Many will block the larger wavelength of AM but allow decent FM shorter wavelength to come through (but still degrades).

And many modern tint will affect the HD FM (and AM) a bunch.

This only applies to a metallic film, which most people don't use anyway. Unless the OP is using a metallic film, then tint is not the issue for him/her.

 

[DRS]

I am aware of that. Newer tint does affect the signal. The tint guys here say there is a new material in the glue or tint (some say the glue is what has much of the UV protection) that is semi metallic, hampers the performance. Especially with long wave lengths (AM band in kilohertz) and very short wavelength (high giga HZ, radar)

 

[scottdk]

I am aware of that. Newer tint does affect the signal. The tint guys here say there is a new material in the glue or tint (some say the glue is what has much of the UV protection) that is semi metallic, hampers the performance. Especially with long wave lengths (AM band in kilohertz) and very short wavelength (high giga HZ, radar)

Film that is semi metallic is a Hybrid, which not know to cause problems. What is the "new" material your shop speaks of?

 

[DRS]

Likely the semi metallic.. I asked for non metallic on mine. They put on whatever the is in vogue today. Do not remember the name at the moment. I am thinking it was either 3M or "solar" something. Anyway, noticed a degrade in AM (it still works, just not as well), and a degrade in the rear and side warning distance on the V1 for cops. It still works good enough, but degraded. I asked and they said that the top films use a semi ferris material in addition to the glue for UV protections. Also doing that allows for a better design plastic that has less distortion than the stuff used a few years ago.... Anyway, I do experience less distortion and clearer view through this tint.

I did not do the front window.

Point is, looks like newer tint will affect reception on back window antenna.

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[scottdk]

Likely the semi metallic.. I asked for non metallic on mine. They put on whatever the is in vogue today. Do not remember the name at the moment. I am thinking it was either 3M or "solar" something. Anyway, noticed a degrade in AM (it still works, just not as well), and a degrade in the rear and side warning distance on the V1 for cops. It still works good enough, but degraded. I asked and they said that the top films use a semi ferris material in addition to the glue for UV protections. Also doing that allows for a better design plastic that has less distortion than the stuff used a few years ago.... Anyway, I do experience less distortion and clearer view through this tint.

I did not do the front window.

Point is, looks like newer tint will affect reception on back window antenna.

Thanks for the info DRS Generally, the HP (high performance) Metallic films are the films that have had issues with electronics on some newer vehicles. Non Reflective Dyed, or Carbon and the even newer Ceramic Films are characterized as electronic friendly window films.