Lousy AM radio reception?

[bash1979]

Just wondering how everyone's AM radio reception is. Mine was never that great with the stock '05 deck....decent in the city, crackly on the outskirts, and barely audible downtown amongst "dem tall buildings".I just installed a JVC mp3 deck to replace the stock unit hoping the AM reception would be better....unfortunately, it's worse! Is bad AM reception just a fact i'm going to have to face with the Vibe? Or is there something I can do to amplify the signal?Thanks!

[joatmon]

There is an antenna amplifier, power comes off the head unit. Is your aftermarket HU wired to still give it power?

[bash1979]

Hmmm....not too sure to be honest.I do know that I had to buy an aftermarket antenna adapter in order for the dude to complete the install, so i'm assuming he used that antenna adapter to attach to the factory antenna.Maybe the connection has come loose?

[VibeGriff]

Same with my alpine, I doubt it came with an antenna amplifier since alot of cars might have it inline with their antennas. Oh well, my am reception acts kinda lack a tachometer though..thats cool....Kinda.

[lesterb]

Over the last few months I have noticed my AM reception going down hill in my Vibe stock head unit. I just had GM service check the antenna connection to the aerial and head unit. All connections checked out ok. My unit won't even lock onto local AM stations when using the scan function. FM is ok but AM reception is awful. Lots of static and hissing. Long distance AM reception is none existent. Wonder what gives? I even surprised to learn new aftermarket head units are also having the same problem. Wondering if the amplifier in the antenna is defective?

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by lesterb » Wondering if the amplifier in the antenna is defective?That would be my guess... If you're still under warranty, bring it in and let them check it out. If you're not, perhaps we need to find you some info on where the antenna amp resides, part numbers, etc. I haven't the foggiest where this thing actually resides...

[whatthefunk41]

ive never really notice..i use the FM alot cause i have xm radio...but when i use AM for example KNBR 680 to listen to the baseball games....i works perfect....so maybe its jus ur car....i still use the stock radio so i dunno

[vibebob]

I'd love to know how to disable an AM radio easily. My boss lives and breaths talk radio and I'd really like to be able to disable the AM radio in our service trucks.