A/M Radio Singnal Lost

Mike B1026 · Apr 9, 2013

I had a Shakespeare splitter that had an issue. I noticed my vhf wasn't picking up the local wx stations. It turned out the cheap cable that came with the splitter had a short. The inner wire was touching the metal coupler where the fiber piece is. I decided to toss the splitter just because I consider the vhf more important than the am. I just wanted to eliminate a possible problem in an emergency. Actually, the FM still works pretty well, I left the cable in place that ran from the radio up to the point that the failed cable was.

I don't know if that would be your issue. You might try rigging another antennae to check the radio.

alexco38 · Apr 9, 2013

I don't trust the splitter and removed it. In an emergency VHF must work. You could put a length of wire to test if the AM still works. Newer radio seems to be more sensitive too.

Stu Jackson · Apr 9, 2013

It is my understanding that the AM antenna is built-in to the body of the radio. It is the FM antenna that is external. I do not personally know if a remote antenna with a splitter does this for the AM signal.

We have an external FM antenna, just a plug in wire to the back of the radio (like the ones that glue onto a windshield, but just a wire). Works fine around here, but we have good FM signals when out on the water.

You might want to look into how the AM antenna works, first, but splitter and wire problems could also be the culprit.

Good luck.

Allan12210 · Apr 9, 2013

Stu is right about the separate antennas for AM and FM. AM antennas are usually a ferrite core with some windings around them inside the radio. That's why they are directional. Remember the old RDF where you had to rotate the antenna to point at the AM station to get a position? Something else in your radio is probably blown out.

Sounds like 10 years was a good lifetime on the boat. WM has a new radio with two remotes (IR and Wireless) plus several aux inputs (USB, SD, audio). Maybe time for an upgrade.

Stu Jackson · Apr 9, 2013

Before you spend any $$ on a WM or "marinized" radio, consider just a car stereo. Lot less $$ and probably more features. Try www.crutchfield.com. That's where we got our Sony setup. Unless your boat leaks BIG time down below, I have personally never had issues with these rigs, nor have I read of any in the many forums I participate in.

kenn · Apr 9, 2013

Joe Mullee said:
My ten year old West Marine radio has lost the AM signal. I like my sports stations and talk show radio so I want to get it back. The FM reception works fine along with the CD and auxiliary jack functions. The radio shares the antenna with the VHF using a splitter.

If your FM and VHF both work ok, the splitter is fine.

Do you get ANYTHING, ever, on AM? - strong stations, noise, crackling? If AM is dead quiet or just a constant buzz, no stations regardless of tuning, then the AM side of the radio is broken. Or something. Try switching the AM/FM back and forth several times.

As others have mentioned... either there's an internal ferrite rod for AM, or it also uses the whip, like a car radio. Disconnect the antenna line and stick the stripped end of a 4 ft or longer wire in the antenna socket center. Still nothing on AM?

It may be cheaper to buy a new radio, unless you can fix it yourself.

alexco38 · Apr 9, 2013

Sorry I don't agree with the radio engineers out there. Unlike a "home" radio or boom box, a car radio does not depend on the ferrite core to receive AM signal. The radio is encased in a metal housing and the AM and FM signal comes from the socket which connected to a whip antenna.

Don't waste your money on WM or any splash proof radio unless you install the radio outside. Otherwise any good quality car radio will do just fine.

You 10 years old radio can be replaced with something less than $100.

captcoho · Apr 9, 2013

Get rid of the splitter they only adds SWR and impede the transmit signal, hook the vhf directly and get a cheap $5 antenna and hook it up and hide it along the inside somewhere of the interior......
Do yourself a favor and stop listening to the talk radio on AM and find peace in sailing

Stu Jackson · Apr 9, 2013

alexco38 said:
1. Sorry I don't agree with the radio engineers out there. Unlike a "home" radio or boom box, a car radio does not depend on the ferrite core to receive AM signal. The radio is encased in a metal housing and the AM and FM signal comes from the socket which connected to a whip antenna.

2. Don't waste your money on WM or any splash proof radio unless you install the radio outside. Otherwise any good quality car radio will do just fine.

3. Your 10 years old radio can be replaced with something less than $100.

1. Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what he already has. I agree, however, that my AM signal doesn't seen to be affected by boat's direction. I still get my baseball game...

2. I agree totally.

3. Yup. See my earlier post.

Benny17441 · Apr 9, 2013

A vhf antenna will do very little to capture the AM radio signal through varying wavelengths. The regular AM/FM receiver usually comes with an internal antenna coil tuned to the AM Broadcast Band. Since you indicate the FM is working fine I would have to conclude the Antenna and Splitter are working fine. If you have gotten 10 years out of the radio consider yourself lucky and go purchase a new one. New models come with inputs for MP3 players or smart phones and tablets. The great majority of manufacturers put their money into the FM Band and pair it to a substandart AM receiver. If you want a quality AM receiver you may need to look in the higher end units. If on the other hand you are only interested in sports an are not concerned about sound quality, station separation or drifting then perhaps an inexpensive oreplacement will do.