AM radio interference

[VPRob]

OK, I've asked this one before but I am hoping that I get a response this time. Listening to AM radio in my VP with self installed Kenwood HU I get a lot of interference from powerlines and also from the cabin fan. (I often listen to ABC radio national on AM radio). Otherwise the system works just fine.
On wife's Honda and daughter's Mazda the AM reception is beautifully quiet and does not pick up noise from overhead powerlines so it must be possible to experience the same in my Commodore
Do any of you knowledgeable and helpful forum members have info on this problem?
cheers
Rob

[VRCALAISS]

am radio hahahahaha.

sent from tapatalk using your mothers phone.

[VPRob]

thanks for that considered response. I refuse to feel apologetic for my listening choices. I am quite happy being a dinosaur

[VRCALAISS]

my am radio does it hence why i listen to fm,update headunit might fix it.

sent from tapatalk using your mothers phone.

[VPRob]

It's a relatively new headunit. My bet is there is a suppressor of some sort that will reduce interference but I want someone with experience or specific knowledge to
guide me in this

[Nic92]

more info please?,

does the FM sound fine?
is the antenna all the way up?
is the antenna plugged in properly? did you check?

[VRCALAISS]

doesn't the alternator have something on it to stop interference???

[drewVHSS]

Wish i could help on your problem, In my vb i still have only the factory am radio, fully extended antenna i still have problems with interference and weak signal picking up 702. I wonder with aftermarket HU's that AM being such a low demand feature that perhaps Kenwood has only provided it in "good enough" form
There's a tv antenna installer on here (vkberlina is that you?) who might be able to shed some light on your problem seeing as he's educated in frequencies.
To be honest, at 32 yrs, i never thought i'd be listening to AM radio but i've found a fair amount on 702 to be quite tolerable considering i'm a metal head who used to be in bands!
I get interference from CB's, mountains, reception also varies depending on rain or sunny day's and near the big power lines.
Is the radio in the wife's Honda exceptional?

Only two things i can think to check is the radio suppressor on the alternator and the radio suppressor on the coil but they're only to prevent hums/interference from both those two parts (alternator and coil) not from external influences.

[VPRob]

thanks for the feedback guys. Yes, the FM sounds fine, radio in the wife's honda is honda original. I wouldn't have thought it anything special as the sound wasn't that good. It is possible that the AM receiver in the Kenwood may not be much good because AM is a network that most people have forgotten about. I guess I can check the suppressors on the alternator and coil. I think the aerial is fully extended and I trust I plugged it in properly during installation. Would FM work if the aerial wasn't plugged in?
cheers

[HCVP]

Would FM work if the aerial wasn't plugged in?
cheers

Not really, you'd get nearby stations to some extent if you were stationary but that's about it. Have you looked into internet radio as another possible solution?

[MAG00]

My best advice would be to head on down to your local Auto Electrician. He should be able to work out a way to minimize the Electromagnetic Interference that is resulting here.
Higher quality headunit and antenna may help to some extent.

AM has always been prone to this interference, why it is not yet a dead broadcasting medium is beyond me. With the introduction of digital radio, you should hopefully see a lot more "AM style" stations utilising the new technology. Digital radio is the future (for those that bother with radios), I suggest you investigate into whether or not your preferred radio stations will be making the move to digital radio. Honestly, I don't see the AM frequency being around in 3-5 years time, once digital radio picks up (which as with digital TV vs. analogue TV, digital has picked up the majority) I would expect FM to die out too.

Summing up:
Auto Elec to test out interference, perhaps he can point you towards a better antenna etc.
Investigate internet radio
Investigate digital radio.

[VPRob]

thanks again everyone. What you say makes sense. I have asked a couple of auto elects about this and they just dismiss my question and laugh at me. I will keep asking in the hope that I find one interested in helping.
I can't help that some of the most enlightening ABC progs are still on AM radio national (603 in our area). I'm talking about Late Night Live w phillip adams, the Science Show, The Daily Planet (how stupid is that? a world music show on what is mostly an AM radio network) and The Music Show.
If I learn more I will post it
Rob

[mint]

"self install" are the key words here. Make sure you know about ground loops and ... well grounds in general...

[VPRob]

Hey mint, I am certainly willing to admit I'm not an expert at audio installations so any info is appreciated. What do I need to know about ground loops and grounds in general?
cheers