AM radio reception in an RV

[John Demarrais]

  This question applies to anyone who listens, or tries to listen to weak radio on the AM band, in an RV.  I'm trying to find an in-dash radio with good AM reception and it's not real easy to research. I've heard of many people having trouble with AM radios in RVs.  Note I'm talking weak signals and drift - not something from a transmitter 20 miles away.

I'm aware of all the interference problems on the AM band . . . especially from ignition, alternators, inverters, power lines, etc.  That is not my concern.  I'm looking for a radio with high sensitivity like many older radios used to have.   Most new ones do not.  I went through a search for house radio for years and that was also difficult. Lots of BS out there along with false marketing. Most newer radios are built for high noise rejection and selectivity . . not tuner sensitivity. I found several AM radios supposedly made just for weak AM reception with good reviews on the Net that were actually horrible. GE Super Radio is one of those hyped up radios that is pretty useless (I've had three). Ends up the Katio KA1103 is the best I've tried and a Sangean 2nd.

Old car and truck radios (mostly 60s and older) had separate AM and FM antenna inputs.with a trimmer on the AM line. From what I've read - most new digital radios for autos have no hookup to the antenna for AM. Just FM.  They just use an internal antenna loop or use chassis ground.

Rather then buy radios "trial and error" - I'd like to hear if anyone has had any recent radio purchases and found AM reception to be exceptional.  I did last year with a Clarion CZ model but sold it along with the car it was in and that model is no longer made.

I've been searching specs on many new radios but some companies do not even bother to publish the AM tuner specs. Just the FM.

So far - just going by published specs and NOT actual ownership . . here's what I've found with the most sensitive tuners, to the least-worst ones. On paper, Pyle PL95MU beats them all. I have no way of knowing if they are "fudging" the numbers until I actually try one.

Pyle PL95MU  43 dB

Boss MR1650UA    40 dB

JVC KD-G320  40 dB

Clarion CZ102  30 dB
Pioneer - just about all 25 dB

JVC KD-R330  20 dB

Blaupunkt PMMEL 120W  20 dB

[John "T" Nordhoff]

 Sorry no help but a few comments. We must be among the few out there who actually care or try to listen to AM Radio on our RV's, and like you I've never owned any in dash units that hardly received any AM even if driving in the town from where they broadcasted and even if it was a "Clear Station" 50,000 watts and no others on their same frequency, reception was still mediocre. I've owned Pioneers, Sony and JVC that were relatively expensive and sure FM was crisp and clear, but AM hardly worked at all. As a kid in my uncles 56 Pontiac we could receive most of the AM Clear Channels like WLS or WSM about anywhere in the Midwest and I once had a Mercedes Benz with a Becker Radio that had a good working AM radio, but its been years since I owned any vehicles that had AM reception worth a hoot grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 In the home I've got a CC Radio Plus (Sangean) that works decent, my GE Super Radio isn't too bad, my Grundig portable shortwave is decent, but of course, there's nothing that compares with my Crosley Super 11 or my Zenith 11 Tube Console or my 1936 Grunow Console (I have others but those are my best and restored performers). Although good for Shortwave, my antique Hammarlund HQ 110 and Hallicrafters SX 110 are surprisingly poor on AM.

 So I hope some readers can help because Id also be interested in a good in dash AM radio but I'm NOT holding my breath lol  

 Take care (are we the only two persons who would like to receive good  AM lol) 

 John T

[John Demarrais]

I went nuts trying to find an AM radio that would work where my house is.   My 1979 Ford F250 and my 1978 Chevy Blazer both have radios that get two  AM stations loud and clear by my house. Seems only fair that someone would make a non-auto radio that can do as well.  I had three GE Super Tuners (none actually  made by GE). All were useless. Big disappointments.  One had the GE name on it. Another RCA.  I kept buying them when a new version came out hoping they might improve. Nope.   My old 1930s Crosley tube radio works much better using its own "wave magnet" built-in antenna. If I hook it to an outside long-wire antenna - reception gets worse.  So far with modern radios - I've only found two that pull in decent AM and work near as well as the radios in my old trucks. The little Katio KA1103 is by far the best. Amazing little radio. I can bring it in my RV and it gets AM pretty well. Odd thing is - in only works that well with the internal DC batteries. If I plug it into an AC outlet - most of the weak AM stations go away.  2nd best is my so-called "Grundig" radio. Grundig puts their name on it . .but it's actually made in China by Tecsun, model # BCL2000.   It's a FM-MW-SW1-SW3 "world receiver." Great radio.