Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

AM Radio Reception (Help)

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by All-American82, Sep 19, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Sep 19, 2013 #1
    All-American82

    All-American82 Medium Load Member

    302
    179
    Jan 27, 2013
    Rogersville, AL
    0
    Ok, I am in a 2014 ProStar+. Company Truck. Stock middle-of-the-road radio, IE; AM-FM/CD/MP3/USB


    Here's the problem. The AM reception in this truck is virtually non-existent. I need the AM band to listen to Rush! It seems I can only pick up when i'm right on top of a station. I'm talking 20 miles MAX on solid powerhouse stations. Channel searching is useless unless I'm "in town".

    FM reception is not much better, but is useless to me, because that's what I have satellite radio for. The music I want to listen to is, for the most part, only on satellite. plus I don't have to search while I'm driving. Tune to my music and let the miles roll.

    Now, oddly enough, I have found out that if the truck is off or if I step on the brakes ( that was a REALLY mind boggling discovery) AM reception greatly improves. However, BOTH of those situations mean no wheels turning. No wheels turning = No $$$ So the likleyhood of sitting 3 hrs a day, just to listen to a radio program is not happening!!!

    Soooo, Any Ideas how to improve reception???

    Also, any idea if I need a "special tool" to remove this radio ? I don't see any screws around the faceplate. Just holes that look like I need to stick something in to unlatch (?) something.

    Any advice is greatly appreciated as this is very frustrating. I'm going thru Rush withdrawals . My other trucks had decent reception and this wasn't an issue as much. But this one I will be in for a while as it was brand new when they gave it to me. Even if I have to get a new radio, How do I get this one out if there's no screws???

    HELP!!!
     
    All-American82, Sep 19, 2013
    All-American82, Sep 19, 2013
    #1
    mje Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Sep 19, 2013 #2
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,750
    45,476
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    I have good AM using the same radio I used in the previous truck, it works better in this one. The radio that came in the truck didn't work well for AM and didn't have weather band so I had my own put in.

    Reception issues, many of the Prostars have a dedicated radio antenna on the cowl, passenger side, where it curves around,it looks to have been added later.

    There is an L shaped tool used to unlatch the locking collar and the radio can then be pulled out. The shop guy managed to get the radio out of mine without the tool.
     
    25(2)+2, Sep 19, 2013
    25(2)+2, Sep 19, 2013
    #2
    mje and All-American82 Thank this.
  4. Sep 19, 2013 #3
    Pilgrim007

    Pilgrim007 Light Load Member

    125
    80
    Sep 9, 2013
    0
    The Radio is either not wired correctly or their is an internal fault within the radio . Personally I'd go with the internal fault within the radio..

    But can't you pick up Rush on Satellite?
     
    Pilgrim007, Sep 19, 2013
    Pilgrim007, Sep 19, 2013
    #3
    mje and All-American82 Thank this.
  5. Sep 19, 2013 #4
    baha

    baha Road Train Member

    4,137
    2,836
    Jul 25, 2013
    ga
    0
    bad ground on ant.
     
    baha, Sep 19, 2013
    baha, Sep 19, 2013
    #4
    mje and All-American82 Thank this.
  7. Sep 19, 2013 #5
    8thnote

    8thnote Road Train Member

    1,980
    3,687
    Aug 12, 2013
    Chattanooga, TN
    0
    8thnote, Sep 19, 2013
    8thnote, Sep 19, 2013
    #5
    All-American82 and mje Thank this.
  8. Sep 19, 2013 #6
    bubbanbrenda

    bubbanbrenda Road Train Member

    1,388
    650
    Feb 27, 2011
    Middletown,Oh.
    0
    If reception improves when the brakes are on ( I assume the brakes are set when engine is off) you have a bad ground on the cab (antennae) making the reception poor while brakes are released. You can double check this by firmly engaging the clutch brake and reception should get a little better. A ground wire to the antennae is the simplest fix, or maybe I-Heart radio app on your smart phone, should plug into your MP3 player port. You are supposed to have 2 V or U shaped specialty tools to get the radio out but 4 long narrow allen wrenches or 4 long narrow torx drivers will get it out if you are careful.
     
    bubbanbrenda, Sep 19, 2013
    bubbanbrenda, Sep 19, 2013
    #6
    All-American82, mpd240 and mje Thank this.
  9. Sep 19, 2013 #7
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

    14,963
    29,154
    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
    0
    I'm inclined to think you may have a connection issue with the antenna caox going to the radio. Maybe a bad coax or it's disconnected in the back of the radio.

    nope Rush is not on any satellite network. Wish he was. I'm sure he has some sort of contract(s) forbidding him from broadcasting over [even Rebroadcasting] satellite for the foreseeable future. Guess you could subscribe and do his podcast technology. When I can get rush it's always a conflict deciding between him and Wilkow (on satellite) in that same time-slot. Sometimes, one is more interesting then the other and it flip-flops.
     
    STexan, Sep 19, 2013
    STexan, Sep 19, 2013
    #7
    mje and All-American82 Thank this.
  10. Sep 19, 2013 #8
    wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

    15,862
    191,802
    Jun 5, 2013
    CHASIN THE DEVIL'S HERD
    0
    Where did you find your avatar, I was Alpha co 1/325 1990 to 94. Not that I would use it on TTR but would be really cool to have.
     
    wore out, Sep 19, 2013
    wore out, Sep 19, 2013
    #8
    All-American82 and mje Thank this.
  11. Sep 19, 2013 #9
    All-American82

    All-American82 Medium Load Member

    302
    179
    Jan 27, 2013
    Rogersville, AL
    0
    Thanks to All !!!

    No Rush is not on satellite unfortunately. And yes to the Wilcow majority! I do switch back and forth depending on topic.

    The brake issue is, when I STEP ON the service brakes is when reception improves (go figure). In other words, when I'm coming TO a stop.

    Now that I have an Idea how to get the radio out I should be able to pull it out and check the ground. And if that doesn't work Ill just have to replace it.

    Doesn't the Iheart radio use your Data? I have Verizon with data and went over once and used it on a run in Alberta and WOW $$$$

    And Lastly, but definately not least. Google search your unit in "images" and you'll be suprised what you come up with.

    FYI, HHC3RDBDE. '77-'80 At the time we had the 1- 2nd/505 and 1/508

    All the way!!!
     
    All-American82, Sep 19, 2013
    All-American82, Sep 19, 2013
    #9
    wore out and mje Thank this.
  12. Sep 19, 2013 #10
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

    3,937
    2,637
    May 10, 2012
    Temple, TX
    0
    In some trucks the AM/FM/CB antennas are the same.
    That probably doesn't help.

    Not really sure I never listened to AM..and don't remember last time I listened to FM.
     
    Balakov100, Sep 19, 2013
    Balakov100, Sep 19, 2013
    #10
    mje Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2