The AF/FM/CD radio that came OEM on our boat offers poor AM reception. The FM isn't much better. I found that it has a flimsy and very thin black wire that is its antenna. I tried to extend it out as best as I could, and the reception only improved a little. Can any of you offer me a better solution? Is this the radio's fault from being cheep, or what? Thanks, John Richard s/v Jack's Place
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Buy another antenna
Had the same thing on our boat. Just happened to be in West Marine and saw another antenna that looks like a car version. Plugged it in and got better recption. will mount it against the hull behind the linner. Jim S/V Java
Had the same thing on our boat. Just happened to be in West Marine and saw another antenna that looks like a car version. Plugged it in and got better recption. will mount it against the hull behind the linner. Jim S/V Java
Its Not The Radio, John
I have the same problem with a very good new unit. The antenna is just an FM 'T' style made out of antenna lead wire. 25 cent deal. I do have a place to hook up the radio antenna to my TV antenna box and will do so. On another boat, I just took a cheap automobile flexible antenna and hooked it to the radio and stuck the antenna in a wiring channel. Worked just fine. Rick D.
I have the same problem with a very good new unit. The antenna is just an FM 'T' style made out of antenna lead wire. 25 cent deal. I do have a place to hook up the radio antenna to my TV antenna box and will do so. On another boat, I just took a cheap automobile flexible antenna and hooked it to the radio and stuck the antenna in a wiring channel. Worked just fine. Rick D.
transmitting ant polarization matters
The guys are right about the fm reception increasing with a better antenna: commercial fm transmitting antennae are mostly circularly-polarized nowadays. But with am broadcast, the transmitting tower (100' to 1000' high), IS the antenna and thus is vertically polarized. For optimum am reception, the receiving antenna should be vertical as well.
The guys are right about the fm reception increasing with a better antenna: commercial fm transmitting antennae are mostly circularly-polarized nowadays. But with am broadcast, the transmitting tower (100' to 1000' high), IS the antenna and thus is vertically polarized. For optimum am reception, the receiving antenna should be vertical as well.
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