AM Radio Reception (Help)

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

  1. All-American82

    All-American82 Medium Load Member

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    Sorry, Brain fart!

    Is the Antenna ground different from the radio ground? If so, where would IT be?
     
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  2. Night Prowler

    Night Prowler Medium Load Member

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    come to texas he is on about 20 am stations here !
     
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  3. Pilgrim007

    Pilgrim007 Light Load Member

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    Just a thought, is the Radio wired in to the electrics operating the brake lights?
     
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  4. bubbanbrenda

    bubbanbrenda Road Train Member

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    It is designed to ground itself through mounting, however with the increased use of composites and alloy's to save weight/cost, the "quality" of the ground goes down. Under ideal conditions the radio ground should ground the ant. through the coax, but obviously that's not working, if you can get to the base of the antennae or the back of the radio a good ground wire can be attached at either end of the coax should do it. But that is going to be a pain. As far as stereo, the removal goes should be pretty easy, but if you mess with it, you will void the warranty(2014) I would take it to a dealer 1st. I guessing an aftermarket metal antennae is going to be the best solution, there aren't many of us left that still regularly listen to AM anymore, FM and satellite ant. are less sensitive to poor ground. The new composite/hidden antennae work good for satellite and fair at best for FM, but for AM you need a good old fashioned metal mast antennae.(the taller the better).
     
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  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I've had this issue before, it is the antenna having a poor ground.

    If the truck is under warranty, have a dealer fix the problem, replace the antenna and see what happens.
     
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  6. All-American82

    All-American82 Medium Load Member

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    Not sure on that. I'll check it.
     
  7. All-American82

    All-American82 Medium Load Member

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    Lived in Round Rock for 15 years. That's how I know what reception SHOULD be!!! LOL!
     
  8. All-American82

    All-American82 Medium Load Member

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    I don't either, other than for Rush. My satellite is PERFECT!!! I didn't think of the warranty though. :biggrin_2557: CRAP!!! I'll have to take it in then. Maybe I'll do a subscription and MP3 his show.
     
  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    The radio may be hooked up to the body computer, which may also take the signal from the brake switch and transmit it to the chassis computer (it is like that on a couple cars) but I doubt it that matters because it seems that there is a flouting ground for the antenna on these radios, more or less isolated and when the connection is made to the brakes the length of wire to the light bulbs acts as an antenna so don't ask me why, I don't know but when I had the problem, I unhooked the rear light harness from the truck and it improved the reception just ever so slightly, when it was hooked back up, it came through loud when the the brakes were applied, Once I replaced the antenna, all of it stopped.
     
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