Lousy A M Reception

[Bfson]

I seldom listen to AM radioi but whenever I have to drive through Los Angeles I want to hear the AM traffic reports. On my crummy Dodge van I can get KNX (the best traffic station) from some 90 miles north of LA on I-5. With my 2011 Genesis I can't get decent reception until almost into town. Anybody else got this issue? Any solutions?

 

[mikec]

which system do you have - Tech, Premium, Base, etc?

I don't know what my range for KNX on I-5 would be north of LA since I've only driven there once in the Genesis and that was with friends that had a "books on tape" CD playing... but around town (Orange County) I get waaayy more AM stations in my 2009 Genesis/Tech than any other car. Or even on my home stereo system. Far more than I even knew existed in this area and quite a few from pretty far away actually. I've always been impressed by both the AM and FM reception sensitivity of my Genesis.

The rear window defroster is the AM/FM antenna. It might not be properly connected to the stereo system since not-quite-fully-seated connectors seem to be the most frequent factory assembly oops on these cars.

mike c.

 

[Gunkk]

my radio reception is great (not in LA). Stations 50-100 mi away come in clear vs. spotty in other cars I've had.

 

[GPeaslee]

I noticed the same thing coming from my 2006 FX35 to my 2012 Genesis 3.8 Premium. When driving from Dallas to Houston, I lose reception of the Dallas AM stations much sooner than I did with the FX35. Even the AM reception around Dallas is not as good in some areas.

 

[landtuna]

I seldom listen to AM radioi but whenever I have to drive through Los Angeles I want to hear the AM traffic reports. On my crummy Dodge van I can get KNX (the best traffic station) from some 90 miles north of LA on I-5. With my 2011 Genesis I can't get decent reception until almost into town. Anybody else got this issue? Any solutions?

KNX lists their signal as non-directional at 50KW day/night so you should not have a problem receiving it at 90 miles out however a lot depends upon the efficiency of your antenna and the sensitivity of the radio itself. Also, to the north of the El A metro area are a series of rather tall mountains. Reception on the north side of those mountains may not be consistent. This is a natural phenomenon.

The following URL has their official coverage map which seems to dovetail roughly with your experience in the van. A couple of things may be affecting your signal:

1. The Genny's AM antenna is on the back of the vehicle so is somewhat less efficient than a standard window wire or whip antenna on the front.

2. Modern radios typically do not have the efficiency at receiving AM signals as the older radios do. This is mostly due to the motoring public not listening to distant AM radio as was popular prior to 1980.

Next time you drive the Genny down into the basin scan the AM dial and see if your KNX issue is the same for other El A AM's as well or is particular to KNX alone.