Weak AM Radio Signal

I have a peculiar problem that I am hoping one (or more) of you may be able to help me with.

I have a single radio antenna on my 2014 Tacoma base model. The FM radio signal comes through much stronger than the AM signal under normal driving circumstances (i.e. open road, no overpasses, no tall buildings, no power lines, etc.). Whenever I go under an overpass, the AM signal decreases dramatically, if not drops out. The signal also decreases, sometimes sharply, whenever I am in the vicinity of a building or powerlines. The FM signal may drop a little as well, but not as bed.

I talked with the service department at the Toyota Dealership, and the technician said he has the same problem with his Toyota. He said if both the AM and FM signal did it, it would be an antenna problem, but since it is just the AM signal, it most likely is a weak signal.

Does or has this happened to anybody else? If so, what are my options to fix this, if any?

BTW...I am in the Houston area, and only live about 30 miles outside of Downtown Houston.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Sincerely,
David

 

AM is still available?

Sorry David I don't have a answer for you. I listen to satellite or USB most of the time. Hope you get it figured out and welcome to the site!

 

I use AM when I am driving around and the hockey game is on. AM signal is really weak and, like you said, drops out under an overpass. This has been happening in my area ever since I could remember in my parent's cars, friend's cars, family member's cars. I am kind of used to it. My stock antenna is cut down to 13" but there was no change in reception after cutting that before. Like RearView said, I usually listen through USB or Bluetooth

 

This is normal behavior for AM broadcast radio signals.
There is nothing wrong with your antenna or radio.

 

Pretty common, especially if you're listening to AM Radio during dawn/dusk/night. The FCC requires AM stations to reduce the strength of their broadcast signal due to the length of the wavelength used on AM bandwidth and ionospheric reflection. FCC provides full information here:
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/why...change-operations-or-cease-broadcasting-night

 

AM is susceptible to outside interference as the information (Voice/music, etc.) is in the Height of the wave (amplitude). Noise form power lines and other sources clip the tops and bottoms of the wave - and the information being broadcast is effectively erased and just turns into static. AM is also more to susceptible to blocking from buildings/structures and no line of sight. (the old TV picture signals were AM - hence the "Snow".

FM encodes the data in the frequency changes of the radio wave. So if the wave gets clipped on the top and bottom of wave - the info is still in the wave, to a point.

So what you are seeing is normal. Receivers and the antennas do affect this but yours situation sounds about correct.

Years ago there used to be a tuning trimmer on the AM radios to "match" the impedance (Resistance) of the receiver to the antenna and allowed it pull in the best signals with that antenna. I'm not sure if the modern AM/FM radios still have this adjustment but you could check with the radio specs/manufacturer. The Trimmer was just a small screw that you turned slightly to get the best AM signals.... Check your radio programming manual as well ... As I Said this may be gone with newer Radios .... (My age is showing ..)

 

Appreciate the responses guys.

I guess my only options are to move closer to Houston, find an alternative way of listening to the radio, or get a stronger/newer radio/antenna. I will have to do some research on the current factory installed radio as well.

Thanks again.

David

 

How about using your smart phone to get Iheart radio and you send it to your USB Port?

 

I already have I Heart Radio, and it should work. Have never tried it yet.

Whenever I activate my blue tooth and use Google Maps as a GPS, the audio is not transferred to the car speakers when blue tooth is enabled. Not sure if the same thing will happen to I Heart Radio.

I will see.

 

OP, What phone do you have?

 

I have a Nexus 5 Google phone. I just tried it on the way home from work. I Heart Radio & Google Maps work through Bluetooth and aux button. Still, I would like to find a way to amplify AM radio signal. I fear it may be a losing cause at this point.