AM/FM reception in new vehicles
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    16 years
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My last 2 GMC Sierras had really poor reception for AM & FM.
GM, along with other brands, started using a different exterior antenna that had a wire that was wrapped around the main antenna and was covered with a plastic coating, which they claimed would solve the problem. Nope, still crappy reception. Also, the radios were no longer "Delco" radios.
Before satellite radio, my GM vehicles with AM/FM radios did very well. Most radios were able to receive an AM station in Cali, Columbia, S.A. (980 kHz, 100 kW, I think) in the summer at night. I also remember listening to WABC AM (in New York City) while driving around Miami, FL at night in the summer. Before Satellite radio, all of the radios had a "Trimmer Capacitor" that you could adjust to maximize AM reception. The trimmer had no effect on FM reception.
With the introduction of Satellite radio, the Trimmer went away and AM, as well as FM, reception was degraded. GM AM/FM/Satellite radios are now made overseas, I believe.
I just bought a New 2024 (leftover) Chevy Silverado and I must say that the AM/FM is much, much better. Listening to a FM station, 40 miles away in Norfolk VA now is rock solid instead of popping in and out of stereo. AM station reception has improved as well.
So, I was wondering if other vehicle brands now have had the same problems with AM/FM?
wind noise
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GM, along with other brands, started using a different exterior antenna that had a wire that was wrapped around the main antenna and was covered with a plastic coating, which they claimed would solve the problem. Nope, still crappy reception. Also, the radios were no longer "Delco" radios.
...
I am under the impression that no matter how much that wire seems to be inductance for tuning, all it is there for is to reduce wind noise.
AM/FM radio
My 2023 Subaru gets AM and FM radio just fine, but I rarely listen to AM/FM stations mainly because I Hate Ads and don't mind paying reasonable subscription fees and connecting my own music to avoid ads.
Some electric car brands have been eliminating AM radio, though not FM, because AM radios, some carmakers say, generate electromagnetic inference.
Ford reputedly was in the process of dropping both AM and FM radio, even from gas vehicles, citing customer preference and usage (like mine), although that may have been a trial balloon and not enacted policy; I don't know.
"141 could draw faster than he, but Irving was looking for 143..."
Shorty
Some reviewers of this replacement GM antenna report an improvement in FM reception:
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B0828G5B6V/ref=acr_dp...
Hard to believe since it's just 5" tall but I may try one on my 2022 Silverado.
Check some of the reviews 2 or under
Some reviewers of this replacement GM antenna report an improvement in FM reception:
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B0828G5B6V/ref=acr_dp...
Hard to believe since it's just 5" tall but I may try one on my 2022 Silverado.
This thing very often has a short life, especially in a car wash.
John from PA
Another Possibility?
Some reviewers of this replacement GM antenna report an improvement in FM reception:
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B0828G5B6V/ref=acr_dp...
Hard to believe since it's just 5" tall but I may try one on my 2022 Silverado.
This thing very often has a short life, especially in a car wash.
My OEM antenna has also been broken in a car wash.
This one may be a better choice:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L57LR7X/?coliid=I3RULX63JP5I9L&...
Poor FM luck in Albuquerque
I had a 2002 Audi with a fancy radio, but it actually got poorer FM reception here in Albuquerque than did our 2006 Prius, which still was not great.
Those cars were replaced with 2022/2023 Teslas. Those don't have AM at all, which is bad once you get away from cities. It is pretty easy to get away from cities in New Mexico. The FM reception in these cars is better than that Audi, but still not good.
I took many hours to rip my CD collection (about 600) to files on a USB stick, and use that to listen to music in the cars these days.
personal GPS user since 1992
Probably the receiving equipment, not the source
I had a 2002 Audi with a fancy radio, but it actually got poorer FM reception here in Albuquerque than did our 2006 Prius, which still was not great.
Those cars were replaced with 2022/2023 Teslas. Those don't have AM at all, which is bad once you get away from cities. It is pretty easy to get away from cities in New Mexico. The FM reception in these cars is better than that Audi, but still not good.
I took many hours to rip my CD collection (about 600) to files on a USB stick, and use that to listen to music in the cars these days.
When I travel for extended times like to Albuquerque NM, I print out the station list for the area. I find it quite convenient as it also incorporates a rough guide to signal strength. You can also sort by type of station (FM or AM) and examine genre.
For Albuquerque see
https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Al...
John from PA
I haven’t listened to either AM or FM
For at least ten years. SiriusXM is the only thing I listen to unless it is a CD or music from my playlist on my phone.
"Everything I need can be found in the presence of God. Every. Single. Thing." Charley Hartmann 2/11/1956-6/11/2022
Loss of AM radio in Jeep Wagoneer
I had something odd happen to my '22 Jeep Wagoneer. In late October of 2024 FCA pushed a software update over the air to my Jeep. I noticed no improvements, but experienced a loss of the AM radio entirely, as well as an annoying tendency to switch the display over to Italian & metric on occasion. I brought it in to the dealership - they had no idea what would cause the problem with the AM radio nor had any solution.
After some research, I did a factory reset on the infotainment system and it brought back the AM radio. The Jeep AM radio portion seems to work pretty well, but is directional due to the antenna being a wire embedded in the right rear side glass.
Whether intentional or not - it is bothersome that a company can activate/deactivate system(s) on your vehicle without your knowledge. BTW, FCA includes 10 years of "free" mobile network connectivity, but only to provide essential updates and other important data exchanges to enhance the owner experience.
GO
Rarely
Sometimes when i'm in NYC area but I listen to sirius mostly.
Another Sirius XM benefit
For at least ten years. SiriusXM is the only thing I listen to unless it is a CD or music from my playlist on my phone.
Another benefit of a Sirius XM subscription is to use it in the home at no additional charge. I use an old iPadwith the Sirius app and take the iPad headphone output and run it into my home stereo system “Tape Input.” I can then listen to the Sirius content on the home stereo which can yiled vastly improved audio. Another stereo system I have can pair with the old iPad using Bluetooth so sometimes I use that method of connection.
John from PA
That is a great idea!
Using SiriusXM on a home device feeding through the stereo system...
And now, back to your regularly scheduled forum - already in progress . . .
Another use
Using SiriusXM on a home device feeding through the stereo system...
I note your possible relationship to the Signal Corps (thanks for your service) so you may have your own ideas but another one of my favorites is to access a site called Radio Garden and pipe that through the iPad to the stereo. Radio Garden can be found at https://radio.garden/listen/wrti-hd1-classical/AKT4ksN2. Once there use the map to zero in on an area and see a list of stations. Want to be Irish on St. Patty's day? You can listen direct from a pub in Ireland.
John from PA