Reply #8: AM transmission is flaky [View All]

[Roark]

I'm an electrical engineering student. AM transmission is flaky, primarily because it is transmitted on a lower frequency range. The waves that AM signals travel on bounce off of the atmosphere. The problem is that the region of the atmosphere that those signals bouce off of go through slight makeup changes between the night and day. AKA, you might be able to pull in a signal during the day that is not there at night or vice versa.

The reason I go into this is because you have to understand that you just might not be able to pull in an AM signal in certain areas at certain times no matter what you do.

With that being understood, try the antenna the guy above mentioned. The AM antenna (which comes with all new radios) is the black plastic square. The ideal setup is to try to wrap the black wire it comes with around the circle at least once (more if possible). The rule of thumb is that transmission during the day will come in best vertically and at night horizonally.

If you don't get anything with that, you have two options. The first is to pick up some standard wire and increase the length of the black cable attached to the antenna. Just make sure you keep the wires attached correctly if you cut them (pos to pos and neg to neg). Best to cut and attach one at a time to not make a cross wire mistake.

The second option is a larger TV style antenna. Most of them (available from Radio Shack) are designed for TV transmission but will also pick up AM. The attachment to your radio is pretty basic and should be explained in the instructions.

The last option (and the one I suggest) is to scrap the AM/FM bands anyway and go with XM. It is largely cost dependant, but AAR comes in clear as a bell and well worth the monthly cost.

Sorry if any of this was unreadable. I was up all night watching the fiasco.