Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: ScaniaV8 on 22 June 2009, 17:05:54

Title: Poor AM reception - why?
Post by: ScaniaV8 on 22 June 2009, 17:05:54

My standard Phillips Radio has suddenly provided very poor AM reception when car is being driven and very noticeable when accelerating (horrible machine gun noise !). Any clues anyone. FM reception appears fine and has not been affected. when parked up and engine off AM reception appears to be OK. I like listening to Talksport on AM 1089 so  I would like to fix asap if it is something simple. Thanks

Title: Re: Poor AM reception - why?
Post by: Goonybird on 22 June 2009, 19:06:28

On older cars there used to be the suppression capacitor across the points to minimise interference.
On these new fangled jobbies i can't help. Maybe DaveDND can advise?

However I would advise get a Dab radio like Pure Highway, and fit a good external antenna.

Talksport on Dab, so as long as you are within a reception area, and the sound is way better than AM.

Title: Re: Poor AM reception - why?
Post by: Ghost on 22 June 2009, 19:07:56

check that the antenna cabel is in correctly might just be out a bit.

Title: Re: Poor AM reception - why?
Post by: Dave DND on 22 June 2009, 22:47:26

There may be someone out there with a definitave answer to this one, and I can only explain this from the view of the car audio industry and what we have also found ourselves.

There are now so many electrcal items in the car these days generating their own electronic fields, that the AM radio signal is getting harder and harder to receive inside a car to the point that it is now being ignored. The standard fit radios are less sensitive compared to the aftermarket replacements that have such fickle tuners, and AM signal reception is now no longer catered for on many sets at all. With FM and digital radio now the way forward, this is what the In car guys are concentrating on.

I cannot find anyone to give an official answer as to whether AM signals are being phased out or reduced in power, but my suspicion is that they may be, especially as just about every other broadcasted signal is being screwed about with as well.

Bottom line is,  that if you want to listen to the cricket in the car, or talk radio, then either park up and turn the engine off, or go digital instead.

Title: Re: Poor AM reception - why?
Post by: ScaniaV8 on 23 June 2009, 07:09:31

Thanks for the feedback, very much appreciated.
Cheers