My am and fm radio gets poor reception on my firebird. I just put a new NOS antenna from Classic. Looks great, but no real change in reception. Anybody have any ideas on how to improve reception other than a new radio. Do Firebirds typically have so so reception? Thanks
You can see about picking up a booster from radio shack and hooking it up to your stock radio.
David
http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=571 If i don't get this car back on the road soon i'm gonna go postal! On a quest for FGF knowledge 1968 Pontiac Firebird Convertible 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass "S" Convertible *Sold*
If your radio doesn't have a good ground reception will suffer even though the radio will work fine. Often running a ground wire directly to the battery will improve audio systems.
You also need to tune the receiver to the antenna. There is an antenna trim adjustment screw on the receiver. You select an AM station and rotate the screw for best reception. I'll find the details and post them in a little while. Mine has excellent FM reception, and good AM reception with the factory power antenna.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Yep in addition to making sure the the antenna has a good ground, it has to be trimmed. (I think it something called standing raido waves, a residgual buildup of raido waves in the antenna.)
It has been my experaince that antenna boosters are a waste of money. If you try one, before you buy it, you might want to ask if it comes with a money back garuntee. If they say no, you might want to pass on it.
Forget the antenna booster. Trimming instructions: Extend antenna to 31" and dial radio to 1400 AM. Remove right side knobs from radio. Using small flatblade screwdriver, rotate screw located above tuner shaft until maximum volume is found. Replace knobs.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Could be that your radio has an "issue". I needed to send my am/fm away for a power amp fix.. It exhibited similar symptoms to what you are describing, except my volume would fade out entirely after a short period (seconds)... Now that it's fixed, it has no reception issues.
