Knowing your vehicle
1003
AUDIO SYSTEM
Understanding Radio Reception
Your vehicle's radio is able to receive AM
and FM transmissions. To optimize the
enjoyment of your vehicle's radio, you
should have a basic understanding of
how radio signals are transmitted and
received.
Radio signals (AM and FM) are broad-
cast from the transmitter towers of radio
stations in your vicinity. Your car radio
receives these signals through the radio
antenna. These signals received are
directed to the audio system where they
are processed, amplified and then con-
verted into sound that is emitted from the
audio system's speakers.
The quality of the audio reproduction that
you hear depends on many factors. One
important factor is signal strength. A
clear and strong signal results in clear,
static-free sound. A weak signal normal-
ly results in garbled sound with frequent
breaks and also static. The radio anten-
na's ability to receive clear and strong
radio signals depends on how close it is
to the transmitting source and also
whether there are physical obstructions
(buildings or mountains) between the
transmitter and antenna. For example, if
you are driving away from the transmit-
ting source, you can expect gradual dete-
rioration in the quality of the reception.
AM mode
Amplitude Modulation (AM) broadcasts
makes use of low-frequency radio waves
to carry the signals to your car antenna.
Low frequency radio waves typically trav-
el further and better than higher frequen-
cy radio waves (e.g. FM radio signals).
This means that, compared to FM broad-
casts, your car can travel further from an
AM transmitting source before you expe-
rience deterioration in signal strength
and clarity. One reason why AM radio
signals can travel further is because they
can 'bend' or 'go around' physical
obstructions in their path to your car
radio antenna.
DCM06004
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