Forum Discussion

_tiredTeacher's avatar
_tiredTeacher
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2013

Poor FM reception

(I've posted this on the Rockwood forum and have not had any responses so I'm repeating it here.)
Our Rockwood 2604WS TT came with a great audio system and works well except for radio reception. No Wx band, few FM stations. We took a portable with us on our last trip and pulled in stations right and left. Example: Listening to 88.9FM loud and clear on the portable inside the trailer. The onboard radio was nothing but fuzz on that frequency.
Anyone have a clue? Bad antenna? Loose antenna cable? Bad antenna ground?

Teach

6 Replies

  • BigBoy11's avatar
    BigBoy11
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2013
    Our FM radio in our Kodiak works much better when we have the tv antenna extended and the antenna booster turned on. Theoretically it should only impact the lower frequencies on the FM band but so much for theory as it definitely helps pull in many more stations.
  • Fizz's avatar
    Fizz
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    Pull it out of the cabinet for a look see.
    On mine the CD player didn't work. After pulling it out I saw they forgot to pull out the plastic insert that protected it in shipment.
    Clearly marked 'remove before instaling'
  • CincyGus's avatar
    CincyGus
    Explorer II
    Jul 11, 2013
    and if you never had an external antenna, pull your radio and see if there isn't a rolled up one behind the radio that was never installed. Many of the campers come with one of the old wire type "T" antennas and sometimes the factory or dealership doesn't properly unroll and mount them.
  • brobox's avatar
    brobox
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    I had the same problem with my MH. Climbed up on the roof to check the antenna and it was GONE. Walmart has a universal replacement antennas in the auto radio dept.

    If that is your problem...I used lock tight on the set screw threads so that one wouldn't come loose.
  • wa8shc's avatar
    wa8shc
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    There are 2 very obvious sources for your problem.
    1) the inside radio REQUIRES an external antenna. Of it's not connected or improperly installed, the radio will behave as you described
    2) the radio is Defective.

    Either would require a trip back to your dealer for warranty repair
    JMHO
  • rscraig's avatar
    rscraig
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    Sure sounds like an antenna problem to me. My first thought would be to remove the connectors on both ends of the antenna lead and inspect them for broken wires, corrosion, etc. While you have the one disconnected from the outside antenna, attach a short piece of wire to the lead and see if that gives you some reception.

About RV Must Haves

Have a product you cannot live without? Share it with the community!8,800 PostsLatest Activity: Dec 05, 2024