1050 AM has a wheeze to it. (SF Bay Area)

ike301 · #1 09-03-2009, 03:09 AM

So, not sure why, but pretty much all my AM radio stations have an errie wheeze to it. I suspect it is the reception, but in my friend's car, 1050 is ok.

680 KNBR works pretty darn good, so I'm curious am I the only one?

And how can I boost the AM signal reception somehow? Don't get me wrong, I love Giant's baseball, but sometimes I need some Jim Rome in my life (ESPN 1050).

Ideas?

faz · #2 09-03-2009, 03:37 AM

I live in san jose and I have noticed that some AM channels are better than some other local ones.

roadfrog · #3 09-03-2009, 11:30 AM

In 30 years of vehicle ownership, I've never had a worse vehicle radio for AM radio reception than my X5. Not unique to mine - this site is rife with info about the AM freq's in our X5's. One suggestion which apparently works, is to attach a ground strap/wire between the vehicle frame and the exhaust system. Need to research that option....

motordavid · #4 09-03-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadfrog

In 30 years of vehicle ownership, I've never had a worse vehicle radio for AM radio reception than my X5. Not unique to mine - this site is rife with info about the AM freq's in our X5's. One suggestion which apparently works, is to attach a ground strap/wire between the vehicle frame and the exhaust system. Need to research that option....

...I even have an old "fix" somewhere in the stickies or info section,

from 7+ years ago. Alas, that "fix", which was carefully cloaked on the dlr work order, by them,
lasted about 20 mins after the repair.

My first portable radio, a brick sized AM only toy, back about 1960,
worked/sounded better than the AM band does in X5s, imo.

Not that I listen to AM often, as I've given up on it, when in the X.
Their Teuton Electronic Tech guys must be cable company rejects,

.
BR,mD

BmwX5SF · #5 09-03-2009, 04:14 PM

Have not noticed that problem on 1050 ticket on my X5 . Might try checking on using a ground/strap wire that the previous post said which I have heard works.

exsterminator · #6 09-03-2009, 06:40 PM

That is my biggest bug-bear about the X, I listen exclusively to 680 when I am in it and the AM reception sounds worse than my first car 20 years ago

roadfrog · #7 09-03-2009, 06:51 PM

I wish I could live without the AM, but I need it for my beloved Canucks hockey games and sports talk radio.