Trailer AM radio reception

Seems that for years AM reception has been poor. I can only get a few stations in the daytime, but at night I can get more. AM stands for Amplitude Modulation and is much more susceptible to interference than FM (Frequency Modulation). I don't look for it to get any better.

I can't get anything on my AM radio setting in the TT, either.

AM is also much more affected by distance from the station. Frequency modulation (FM) follows the curve of the earth much better. FM is also far less affected by interference from normal things around us. Hope I have those right or my dad will be disappointed. These were his teachings to a 6 year old wondering why I got some stations and not others.

I remember driving from Atlanta to Cincinnati on a clear night and in TN I was getting the Reds game on 700WLW, it was a clear night. I guess when we are camping there are usually trees real close and that can't help. Oh well, at least it's not just me and there is always IHeart radio for those must listen to games. Thanks for the input

If you can reach in behind the radio, check that the antenna plug is fully inserted. The stiffness of the cable from the antenna makes it more susceptible to shaking loose than standard flexible braided wire.

dockmasterdave wrote:
AM is also much more affected by distance from the station. Frequency modulation (FM) follows the curve of the earth much better. FM is also far less affected by interference from normal things around us. Hope I have those right or my dad will be disappointed. These were his teachings to a 6 year old wondering why I got some stations and not others.

Well....
FM does not (period) follow the curve of the earth and AM does

While FM is far less affected by interference then AM

So you didn't get it all wrong.

TheGriswolds wrote:
My FM radio works fine but can't seem to get anything on the AM dial in the trailer. Are the antennas that bad for AM or maybe something is disconnected. Anyone else have bad AM reception?

Assuming your radio is connected to it's antenna, and it probably is if you are getting lots of FM stations since most use the same antenna. The problem may, and probably is, not with your radio but with the other "stuff" in your rig.

Your AC to DC puts out a LOT of radio interference (RFI). Unplug your rig and see if the AM radio is better. Make certain your inverter (if you have one) is off too, they also can generate RFI.

It is possible that the control board on your refer is to blame, but this is less likely.

Also your blower motor on the furnace can generate RFI.

even in my car and truck listening to our local AM station is bad. I have to turn the volume up so high that when DW tunes in her FM channels it blasts her out of the car.

The antenna on your RV is very short. Basically in the VHF range of FM. You won't get great AM reception. However, some of those little antennas are better than others. I would check to make sure the antenna cable is connected. My MH is mostly fiber glass. I was receiving FM without the antenna being connected. Once I plugged in the antenna I had great reception.

What is AM radio. That is still around ;)