Poor Radio Reception

[Glen Watkins]

Hello all, I am going to try to figure out what is wrong with my stock delco radio. The reception is not very good and it seems to get worse when the ac is on. I was wondering if anyone else has experience with this issue and if adding a different antenna would help or a different radio? Any help would be much appreciated! 2007 JD 4320 Cab tractor

 

[Transit]

Ok, lots of questions and things for you to test.

Are we talking AM or FM reception?

What is the complaint, static in the background or low volume?

With the engine not running, alternator not powering the system the radio is being powered by the battery.
How is the reception?

With the engine running, any change?

Has any wiring been done? Add lights, replaced something?

Are all wire connections and grounds in good condition?

If you pull, jiggle the wiring any changes?

I'll stop here, your answers will lead to other questions or not.

 

[Glen Watkins]

Am and Fm both Stations go in and out is the best way I can describe it. I added JD rear work light kit but wiring was in place from the factory. I will check these other things out this weekend and get back to ya. Thanks for the help Transit!

 

[Transit]

Am and Fm both Stations go in and out is the best way I can describe it. I added JD rear work light kit but wiring was in place from the factory. I will check these other things out this weekend and get back to ya. Thanks for the help Transit!

Ok, sounds like poor/weak signal quality. If you have another portable radio same problem or no?

check the other items on the list.

 

[flyingcow]

I have a different tractor, but been in quite a few over the yrs. The antennas have been the culprits most times. Make sure the coax is tight on the antenna and the mast is pointed straight up. My Nh tractor, big diff if the antenna gets laid over on side, only strong stations come in.

One other way to fix reception.....satellite radio.

 

[blueriver]

Sometimes I think its atmosphere (sp) or location like a cell phone? Some days everything picks up and other days its bad ...

 

[Glen Watkins]

Ya from what I have found out so far this antenna is mounted inside the top of the cab. Nothing external and that might be part of the problem! Thanks guys.

 

[Sam Marsh]

Ya from what I have found out so far this antenna is mounted inside the top of the cab. Nothing external and that might be part of the problem! Thanks guys.

I have an antenna off of a 5x25 (external) and I still can't pick up very many stations they fade or just won't pick them at all. I was wondering if the antennas need to be grounded? All nh antennas are on a metal base and they have good reception.

 

[morthog1957]

I have the same problem. My AM radio is not good at all. FM is tolerable at best. I put in a lot of seat time in my 4320, so i installed XM radio. I love it!

 

[JD755]

Good reception requires an antenna to have a counterpoise of some sort. Could be from a proper ground with sufficient metal area, or a dipole design antenna. Just a whip antenna without a counterpoise (effectively the other half of the antenna) will suffer significant degradation.

 

[Transit]

I have a different tractor, but been in quite a few over the yrs. The antennas have been the culprits most times. Make sure the coax is tight on the antenna and the mast is pointed straight up. My Nh tractor, big diff if the antenna gets laid over on side, only strong stations come in.

One other way to fix reception.....satellite radio.

What flyingcow is referring to is Polarization. If the transmitter antenna is vertical than the receiver antenna should also be the same, vertical. If you are using a simple whip antenna, what kind of surface is it mounted on, metal or not?

 

[Sam Marsh]

Mine is mounted on the fiberglass top

 

[Transit]

Mine is mounted on the fiberglass top

Fiber glass top, then there is no ground plan for the ant. Sorry, I could not find an easy explanation.

There is very little difference between transmitter and receiver antennas for your application.

Google ngp antenna, gp antenna.

Try tech support or a local Ham radio operator.

Do I need a no-ground-plane antenna?

 

[Glen Watkins]

Thank You all for your feedback and after thinking about it and your responses I have decided that because I am in sort of a remote area and the geography of the area, that it might be time to think about getting an updated radio with some sort of input capability! I am thinking that if this radio had mp3 input and connected to my phone with Pandora, life would be good!