No AM Reception on New Trailer

[dclark1946]

I am working out issues on our new trailer. On the initial camp out I tried out the new entertainment system and everything seemed to be OK except no AM reception when you tuned through the whole band. Tried that again when we got home in the DFW area still nothing at all on the AM band. The trailer has a new to me Continuus fixed External HDTV RV antenna model CA1500 which I suspect is the issue since it lists both video and FM frequency bands but no AM band capability . Continuus also makes a similar looking CA2500 model which lists a wider TV band, FM and AM frequencies. The CA2500 is listed with 4 RF Jacks but the CA1500 model lists only 2 RF jacks. The receiver is a Jensen AWM 968 Mobil Audio System with what appears to have only one automotive type antenna jack. My first thought was to switch to the CA2500 model but not sure about 4RF Jacks if the AM is by itself or combined with the FM like it is in an automotive radio antenna.

At the moment, it appears the KZ wrote off AM reception by using a lower cost antenna. Our older KZ had a small whip antenna feeding a Jensen Automotive radio/DVD player and that worked well for both AM and FM.

Anyone familiar with the Continuus RV antenns?

[dclark1946]

myredracer wrote:
If you go to KZ's website it says "AM/FM/CD/DVD Bluetooth Stereo w/USB Port" as one of the standard options. I'd sure be making some noise if you don't have AM available because I would say that is deceptive advertising. Maybe this is a change influenced by Thor? In our '14 Spree, we've got the usual whip antenna on the roof with co-ax connection on the back of the Jensen radio. If the dealer does not help, send me a PM and I will give you a couple of contact names at the factory from about 6 months ago.

We've been burned by KZ before on a few things. For example, they used to list a "Maxxair fan in bedroom and bathroom". Turns out what they really meant was "or" not "and". We expected both but didn't get anywhere arguing that one. If we ever order another TT again, we're going over each and every item on the manufacturer's brochure list and
any optional items and getting the dealer to sign off on them.

Thanks. That was going to be my approach also for asking the factory to rectify this no AM reception shortfall. I had already rechecked KZ's web site and verified they claimed both AM and FM capability. I appreciate your offer for a couple of contacts at the factory. I may need them.

We wanted two of the Maxxair fans also when we ordered ours but our dealer told us that was extra so that was included in the order and it came in correct. We wanted the frameless windows but not the fold down bike rack and rear ladder that was part of the elite package. The factory got our special order right except we got the frame extension for the bike rack. The factory agreed to send us the fold down bike rack for no charge. They also installed a backer board on the wall behind the dinette so we could install a small fold down table to have a place for a bluray player and a DTV receiver.

[myredracer]

If you go to KZ's website it says "AM/FM/CD/DVD Bluetooth Stereo w/USB Port" as one of the standard options. I'd sure be making some noise if you don't have AM available because I would say that is deceptive advertising. Maybe this is a change influenced by Thor? In our '14 Spree, we've got the usual whip antenna on the roof with co-ax connection on the back of the Jensen radio. If the dealer does not help, send me a PM and I will give you a couple of contact names at the factory from about 6 months ago.

We've been burned by KZ before on a few things. For example, they used to list a "Maxxair fan in bedroom and bathroom". Turns out what they really meant was "or" not "and". We expected both but didn't get anywhere arguing that one. If we ever order another TT again, we're going over each and every item on the manufacturer's brochure list and any optional items and getting the dealer to sign off on them.

[dclark1946]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Typically a radio or stereo AM antenna is an internal antenna. Seldom is an external AM antenna used.

That is true for non automotive applications but for autos (even before FM became popular)and RV applications the receiver will always have a Motorola coaxial jack in the back for the antenna connection. The Jensen system in our new TT has a single antenna jack for both AM and FM reception. Our 2004 and 2007 TTs had the same setup.

[Joe_Way]

Most car radio antennas have a clamp arrangement that bears against the underside of the fender. Most RVs need an antenna with a mounting flange. Here's one on eBay.

The RVs we have owned all had radios built like car radios, with no internal antenna.

[beemerphile1]

Typically a radio or stereo AM antenna is an internal antenna. Seldom is an external AM antenna used.

[dclark1946]

My RV dealer tech called yesterday in response to my question about no AM reception. She confirmed that on another new Spree trailer with the same antenna there was no AM reception. Now I will be be talking to the manager to find out what the factory's thought process was for this design flaw.

It looks like my options are to install a separate whip antenna or the other model CA 2500 but that requires another cable to be run from the TV/radio antenna to the circuit board that splits out the radio signal to be fed to the radio receiver.

If anyone knows where I can purchase a fold down whip RV antenna like what was installed on our last two trailers I would appreciate the info. My Google search did not yield any sources. The fold down (loosen screw and rotate the whip down to the roof) is important to us since it makes the trailer cover much easier to install.

[dclark1946]

Lynnmor wrote:
I had no idea that KZ stooped to that level. You have a worthless antenna, and after looking at other antennas from that company, I wouldn't want any of them.

You need to install a real TV antenna like a Winegard batwing, and a real AM/FM whip antenna. Only then can you see if the low end Jensen will meet your needs.

Yes I was concerned about the TV antenna when we looked at another new Spree before we ordered ours. At that time I was not aware that the whip antenna had been eliminated. We had the Winegard Sensar antenna on our old trailer and I miss that too. I tried to get the factory to install the better antenna but they would not.

I think the Jensen system will work for us if it holds up like the simpler Jensen we had in our previous trailer.

[Lynnmor]

I had no idea that KZ stooped to that level. You have a worthless antenna, and after looking at other antennas from that company, I wouldn't want any of them.

You need to install a real TV antenna like a Winegard batwing, and a real AM/FM whip antenna. Only then can you see if the low end Jensen will meet your needs.