Radio?

[Katxoxo]

Re: Radio?

Well -- didn't have any issue again with FM radio today (have not used any CDs yet -- but will tomorrow as now my curiosity is peaked).

It is more of an annoyance than a real issue. My husband is not so tolerant of it when he is trying to listen to WFAN sports radio! But then again, he doesn't drive my bird often.


Again - this is not a volume issue; the treble/bass seems to change -- and I do think Southern's hypothesis makes the most sense.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Radio?

My apologies for staying off topic, but this article may help those outside of the NY area understand how much things have changed in the city. It's been nine years now and I still can't go back to that area where I constantly traveled.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...ca46a817542ccc

BTW, my AM radio is also junk.

[ChromeDome]

Re: Radio?

I wouldn't place all the blame on the T-bird radio. AM radio doesn't generate the revenue it did in years past and many stations have disappeared. The ones that remain are for the most part using 1940-50s technology and equipment. I expect AM will go the way of analog TV and disappear in the near future.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Radio?

I wouldn't place all the blame on the T-bird radio. AM radio doesn't generate the revenue it did in years past and many stations have disappeared. The ones that remain are for the most part using 1940-50s technology and equipment. I expect AM will go the way of analog TV and disappear in the near future.

WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STEREO AM STATIONS? FORD BUILT A RADIO THAT WOULD PICK THOSE STATIONS UP.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Radio?

BTW, my AM radio is also junk.

I wonder about that thought.

Is it the radio or the antenna, as others have suggested? Like you I had noticed the AM reception was poor with the stock radios in both our cars. Weaker than in the other cars and a truck we own. The FM how-ever was as good or better.

I don't pretend to know why this is. I do know where I'd have gone for answers had this been a cause for concern though. Your local car audio experts have probably fielded the question before. Specifically, I'd seek out the shop in your area that does LOTS of installations.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Radio?

WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STEREO AM STATIONS? FORD BUILT A RADIO THAT WOULD PICK THOSE STATIONS UP.

I have no idea........but here's a cut and paste that kinda suggests it's the mess created within political bureaucracy again.


The emergence of frequency modulation or FM radio signals, which arose from the desire to free broadcasting of static noise common to amplitude modulation or AM, has produced the controversial development of stereo broadcasting. The resulting enhancement of sound quality helped FM pass AM in audience shares in less than two decades. The basic groundwork for FM stereo was laid in 1955 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allowed FM multiplexing, where one transmitter sends out two simultaneous (and, possibly different) signals. By April 20, 1961, the FCC allowed FM stations to broadcast stereo with multiplex, creating considerable excitement in the broadcast industry. The decision to allow stereocasting for AM radio was much more problematic. The FCC, in 1982 (after years of debate) finally decided that, rather than pick a single standard to ensure rapid facilitation of stereo on AM stations, they would instead pass the decision process to the marketplace. The FCC sent the AM stereo decision to the marketplace out of confusion and desperation. The changing role of the Commission during deregulation of radio directly affected AM stereo, particularly since both proceedings were being dealt with by the FCC simultaneously. The result was that the FCC failed to set a standard. The major difference between the evolution of FM stereo and AM stereo was the changing policy of the FCC. The outcome made it clear that self-regulation of the airwaves is a difficult task.

[ChromeDome]

Re: Radio?

Ron, A few stations are still broadcasting AM stereo. AM stereo was caught up in a struggle to choose a broadcast format similar to the BETA and VHS battle for VCR's.
This is a link to the most recent active stations. Note that there is none in TN and only one in GA.
http://meduci.com/stations.html

[Leroy]

Re: Radio?

I have Tinnitus ( constant ringing in the ears ). There's no way to test for or show you have it. I only know this because I have applied for VA compensation for it and a hearing loss related to my military service, along with other health issues related to Agent Orange exposure in Viet Nam. Leroy

\ \ \ \ \________________________________________

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Radio?

Ron, A few stations are still broadcasting AM stereo. AM stereo was caught up in a struggle to choose a broadcast format similar to the BETA and VHS battle for VCR's.
This is a link to the most recent active stations. Note that there is none in TN and only one in GA.
http://meduci.com/stations.html

WHAT A LIST, WONDER IF OUR RADIOS CAN STILL RECEIVE THE AM STEREO?

[Katxoxo]

Re: Radio?

The radio issue on the bird (and the 03 as well) is definitely directly related to AM only. FM has been fine on both cars -- as is the CD option.

Next time I am near a car audio place or at the dealer, I will inquire about it. As mentioned, it is more an annoyance than anything else. Reception is fine and I get the news I want to hear. Just odd is all.


Thanks for everyone's input.

[Southern]

Re: Radio?

That's what I figure. And I think the shop (I used to own one back in the day) will tell you something along the line of .....Well That's the way it is....
A real Agressive shop might try to sell you an inline antenna pre amp.
Don't bother.
A long whip antenna would help, but of course....... be maybe a little TOO retro?

In the end, the AM section of these radios, and pretty much all multiband, is junk.