My car radio, although good on FM, stinks on MW. It's about as sensitive as a
brick, but I don't want to replace the radio. Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?

= = = (RFCOMMSYS) wrote in message
= = = ...
My car radio, although good on FM, stinks on MW. It's about as sensitive as a
brick, but I don't want to replace the radio. Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?


Replace the Car [.]

..

The AM radio antenna is a high-impedance active antenna system.
That's why the center conductor is so tiny. The impedance converter
transistor is inside the radio. Sometimes there's a trimmer capacitor
to peak AM reception. Google the radio and you may very well get some
service tips.

On 16 Apr 2004 00:47:50 GMT, (RFCOMMSYS) wrote:

My car radio, although good on FM, stinks on MW. It's about as sensitive as a
brick, but I don't want to replace the radio. Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?

(RFCOMMSYS) wrote ...

Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?

Check out C Crane and also

http://wwww.crutchfield.com

Both of them were offering an improved AM mobile antenna some time back.

(RFCOMMSYS) wrote ...

Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?

Oops make that http://www.crutchfield.com

(RFCOMMSYS) wrote in message ...
My car radio, although good on FM, stinks on MW. It's about as sensitive as a
brick, but I don't want to replace the radio. Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?
.................................................. .............................
Assuming (1)that your car radio is custom-integrated into your dash.
and
(2) you have twiddled the AM front-end antenna matchers (if
any)
you could try an antenna amplifier sold at Radio Shack and other
automotive stores. They are usually sold as "antenna boosters" or some
similar name and they fit in between the antenna lead and the
Motorola-type socket on the radio,
with a wire to a 12-volt connection. Make sure that the booster is for
AM and FM as some are FM only. You may find that when you have
installed the booster, you will notice gain on FM but the AM band is
filled with ignition noise. This seems to vary with the car and its
grounding, so be sure to get a money-back item. When working well,
these boosters give a 10 to 20 db gain on AM.
While you are upside down under the dash, check to see if there is
an antenna adjusting screw near the antenna input (not likely). If
there is, twiddle it for maximum gain about 1400 khz. You might not
even need a booster.

(RFCOMMSYS) wrote in message ...
My car radio, although good on FM, stinks on MW. It's about as sensitive as a
brick, but I don't want to replace the radio. Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?

Many years ago I purchased a coil that installed near the bottom of my
car antenna which drastically increased the signal. I can't find that
item available anymore. I also used a smaller coil that installed
near the top of the antenna. These items were then available at many
auto accessory stores. Also, the ones I have experience with only
worked with non-power rod antennas. Now there is a booster that works
on all car antennas. Just go to: www.jcwhitney.com and do a search
for antenna booster. I have no idea how good these work, but they
don't cost much.

= = = (Gary) wrote in message
= = = . com...
(RFCOMMSYS) wrote in message ...
My car radio, although good on FM, stinks on MW. It's about as sensitive as a
brick, but I don't want to replace the radio. Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?

Many years ago I purchased a coil that installed near the bottom of my
car antenna which drastically increased the signal. I can't find that
item available anymore. I also used a smaller coil that installed
near the top of the antenna. These items were then available at many
auto accessory stores. Also, the ones I have experience with only
worked with non-power rod antennas.

C. Crane Co. - AM/FM Auto Antenna - Purpose: Improve AM reception
on your automobile. Remember: An antenna is more important than
your radio, always!
http://www.ccrane.com/am_fm_auto_antenna.asp
* This Loaded Coil Antenna will improve reception by almost
double on AM and may improve FM.
* Antenna works by increasing the electrical length over your
existing antenna.
* The antenna has a coiled stainless steel spring which will
allow the antenna to bend under the pressure of high speed,
and helps prevent damage.
* Height collapsed is 24" and 54" fully extended.

Signal-to-Noise: Tuner Talk and Car Radio Antennas
http://www.carsound.com/columns/navone/nav0004.shtml
- by David Navone
..
..
Now there is a booster that works on all car antennas.

BOOSTER= http://tinyurl.com/2xazb
http://jcwhitney.1estore.com/moreinf...item=03ZX9401Y
..
..
Just go to: www.jcwhitney.com and do a search
for antenna booster. I have no idea how good these work, but they
don't cost much.

iane ~ RHF

..

As I recall my active antenna theory, you do not want a resonant
stick. Energy transfer actually decreases as the electrical length of
the antenna increases.

On 16 Apr 2004 21:22:57 -0700, (RHF)
wrote:

= = = (Gary) wrote in message
= = = . com...
(RFCOMMSYS) wrote in message ...
My car radio, although good on FM, stinks on MW. It's about as sensitive as a
brick, but I don't want to replace the radio. Does anyone sell a high-gain AM
car antenna?

Many years ago I purchased a coil that installed near the bottom of my
car antenna which drastically increased the signal. I can't find that
item available anymore. I also used a smaller coil that installed
near the top of the antenna. These items were then available at many
auto accessory stores. Also, the ones I have experience with only
worked with non-power rod antennas.

C. Crane Co. - AM/FM Auto Antenna - Purpose: Improve AM reception
on your automobile. Remember: An antenna is more important than
your radio, always!
http://www.ccrane.com/am_fm_auto_antenna.asp
* This Loaded Coil Antenna will improve reception by almost
double on AM and may improve FM.
* Antenna works by increasing the electrical length over your
existing antenna.
* The antenna has a coiled stainless steel spring which will
allow the antenna to bend under the pressure of high speed,
and helps prevent damage.
* Height collapsed is 24" and 54" fully extended.

Signal-to-Noise: Tuner Talk and Car Radio Antennas
http://www.carsound.com/columns/navone/nav0004.shtml
- by David Navone
.
.
Now there is a booster that works on all car antennas.

BOOSTER= http://tinyurl.com/2xazb
http://jcwhitney.1estore.com/moreinf...item=03ZX9401Y
.
.
Just go to: www.jcwhitney.com and do a search
for antenna booster. I have no idea how good these work, but they
don't cost much.

iane ~ RHF

.

(RHF) wrote in message C. Crane Co. - AM/FM Auto Antenna - Purpose: Improve AM reception
on your automobile. Remember: An antenna is more important than
your radio, always!
http://www.ccrane.com/am_fm_auto_antenna.asp

This is very similar to what I used many years ago and it improved
reception so much that I could listen to distant AM stations loud and
clear that I could barely hear at all with the regular rod antenna. I
would highly recommend this to anyone wanting a strong signal on AM.