Lousy AM Reception

[Howdy_Doody]

I've had really poor AM reception with my Taurus since I got it 6 months ago.

I've partially removed the power antenna (dropped it down in the fender well) and cleaned the area around the hole in the fender. Also repeatedly tightened the nut. Still really bad, lots of static when anything electrical operates (wipers, fan, engine).

I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar problem and what they did, before I drop the antenna down again and look for other reasons. Is is possible that there's a bad connection where the antenna cable goes into the power mast assembly? I tried to disconnect it there and wasn't able to, but it didd swivel around and didn't seem particularly snug.

FM reception is perfect but Cardinal baseball is on AM...please help!

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

FM utilizes the external, fender mounted antenna.

AM (as far as Im aware) only uses an internally (inside the radio itself) mounted antenna.

Its only baseball

:runs and hides:

 

[RStalveyARFF]

I believe what Kenny said is correct, as with my Aiwa home stereo it actually came with a seperate AM antenna. I'd pull the radio out and just make sure the wiring doesn't run near it. I have the exact same problem but I have over a mile of extra wire in the car. I'm not kidding either!

 

[stevemainian]

You do realize that AM always sounds like crap right?

 

[Howdy_Doody]

I don't believe an internal antenna is used for AM reception. Cars have had external antennas for years before FM was developed. Any other suggestions??

 

[Howdy_Doody]

Any other comments? Does the fixed mast improve AM reception?