Filter
Top Products
Radio frequency information
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission(CRTC) establish the frequencies AM
and FM stations may use for their broadcasts.
Allowable frequencies are:
AM 530, 540–1600, 1610 kHz
FM 87.9, 88.1–107.1, 107.9 MHz
Not all frequencies are used in a given area.
Radio reception factors
Three factors can affect radio reception:
• Distance/strength. The further an FM signal
travels, the weaker it is. The listenable range of
the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by “signal
modulation.” Signal modulation is a process radio
stations use to increase their strength/volume
relative to other stations.
• Terrain. Hills, mountains and tall buildings
between your vehicle’s antenna and the radio
station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power
lines, electric fences, traffic lights and
thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its “shadow”) returns your
reception to normal.
• Station overload. Weak signals are sometimes
captured by stronger signals when you pass a
broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play
while the weak station frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single
channel reception if it will improve the reception of
a station normally received in stereo.
Controls and features
43