I have a continuing problem with static on my am radio band. More pronounced in the 700 to 800 range. It sounds like a loose antenna but everything is tight. I can't remember when it began but it's been with me for a long time. Makes it hard to listen to talk radio. Anyone have any ideas, about the static, not about the talk radio.

 

Here's a dumb question: Does it go away when you turn off the truck? I would assume it does since you're posting the question here, but I have to ask...

Joe

 

Good question, so I just went out and checked. I have the fiver hooked up so I didn't go anywhere but it seems like when I'm sitting still with the engine running or with the engine off it does not have the static. When I'm driving It acts like something is loose causing the static, I wonder could it be some kind of grounding problem?

 

Yeah, could be. But pay more attention to when & where you get it. You can easily pick up static on AM radio off power lines around you with bad insulators, certain "noisy" (in radio frequencies) accessories, etc. I have one of those AC inverters to run my laptop in my truck that causes noise on the radio, so watch for that, too. A power supply in your RV could cause similar trash on the radio. In my old Bronco, I had noise start to show up when my battery cable started to go bad. Got worse with the headlights on. I didn't figure it out until it quit starting...

 

I have always had static when listening to AM. Of course, its a lot worse in the city/under stop lights, etc..

Getting a larger antenna will help, or go satellite.

 

Any problem with FM not picking up distant stations it used to?

 

No, FM works great and some of the am band is OK. Satellite don't help. Talk is not on there. BTW, what would someone from south texas know about driving in the city? LOL

 

This will seem like a very weird answer, but make sure your temp control **** is not on either full heat, or full cold. I had the same problem with my 99 and it was the blend doors. Let me know if it works. So I can keep answering this question with the same answer.

 

That is no joke , but I still get static. My buddy and I were doing some tests, and we connected an inline powered antenna to the existing factory one. BAM- clear 710.

The cost of the antenna has kept it off my truck, but I am still looking at alternatives to that specific model.

 

The blend doors cause static on AM radio???? That's nearly as remarkable as receiving radio stations with teeth fillings...

 

I agree with spamjohnson, at least partially. I too get a lot of static on AM with my heat control set to full cold. But I think the stray R.F. is coming from either the low side pressure switch on the air conditioning circuit or maybe the high side switch. I merely move my temp controll hotter to remedy the situation.

 

I don't know if they still do this (probably not), but older car radios (like in the 70's) had a trimmer adjustment that was specifically for the AM portion of the receiver only. I think it was to match the radio to the antenna, after the radio was installed in the vehicle. The trimmer was usually located directly adjacent to the right-hand (tuning) ****, and could be accessed by removing the **** with the radio in place.

Obviously this wouldn't translate directly to present-day radios as far as the location of the adjustment is concerned, but I do wonder if there is still an antenna match adjustment somewhere on the unit?