Poor FM Radio Performance

[wthomps79]

Yes some of us do actually still listen to FM radio.



Has anyone noticed poor performance with FM radio reception? I live in the country and the closest radio station is about 30 min away. This station always comes in clear as a bell. I've noticed since I picked up my 1500 I'm having trouble getting good reception to the point sometimes I can't listen to it because of all the static. Ironically another station I listen to over an hour away comes in clear as a bell. Before anyone says its the station I listened in my truck and immediately jumped in my wifes van and it comes in clear as a bell. I've also noticed that the antenna is very direction sensitive. When I'm driving away from the location of the radio station the reception is almost non existent.



I've also noticed that when you're on the FM radio that the volume is very quiet. If I switch over to sat radio the volume is blaring. I tried turning off the speed sensitive volume control to see if it helped, plus it was like having a 2yr old controlling the volume anyways.


Hoping there are others that have had these issues and that FCA is working on a software patch.

 

[The_Chemist]

Yes some of us do actually still listen to FM radio.



Has anyone noticed poor performance with FM radio reception? I live in the country and the closest radio station is about 30 min away. This station always comes in clear as a bell. I've noticed since I picked up my 1500 I'm having trouble getting good reception to the point sometimes I can't listen to it because of all the static. Ironically another station I listen to over an hour away comes in clear as a bell. Before anyone says its the station I listened in my truck and immediately jumped in my wifes van and it comes in clear as a bell. I've also noticed that the antenna is very direction sensitive. When I'm driving away from the location of the radio station the reception is almost non existent.



I've also noticed that when you're on the FM radio that the volume is very quiet. If I switch over to sat radio the volume is blaring. I tried turning off the speed sensitive volume control to see if it helped, plus it was like having a 2yr old controlling the volume anyways.


Hoping there are others that have had these issues and that FCA is working on a software patch.

The FM reception is a little on the weak side. I don't think it's tuner sensitivity though. I think the tuner just needs a better antenna.

I listen to WXPN from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They have low power translater stations in the Harrisburg area. My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe picks them up just fine on my way to and from work. The RAM gets staticy reception and mutes in places the Hyundai picks the signal up just fine.

The difference is the antenna. The Hyundai uses a rubber stick antenna, where the Ram uses the bat wing. I think the rubber stick has more pulling power.

As far as volume differences between sat and fm, mine are the same. Overall a great sounding system (HK). Volume on my Ram is pretty much the same on all sources.

 

[RamCares]

Yes some of us do actually still listen to FM radio.



Has anyone noticed poor performance with FM radio reception? I live in the country and the closest radio station is about 30 min away. This station always comes in clear as a bell. I've noticed since I picked up my 1500 I'm having trouble getting good reception to the point sometimes I can't listen to it because of all the static. Ironically another station I listen to over an hour away comes in clear as a bell. Before anyone says its the station I listened in my truck and immediately jumped in my wifes van and it comes in clear as a bell. I've also noticed that the antenna is very direction sensitive. When I'm driving away from the location of the radio station the reception is almost non existent.



I've also noticed that when you're on the FM radio that the volume is very quiet. If I switch over to sat radio the volume is blaring. I tried turning off the speed sensitive volume control to see if it helped, plus it was like having a 2yr old controlling the volume anyways.


Hoping there are others that have had these issues and that FCA is working on a software patch.

Hi wthomps79,
I understand why this would be frustrating. Please send us a private message if you would like us to look into this further for you or if you decide to have your dealer address this. We are more than happy to help.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Mich thor]

I just searched to find out if It was my imagination my antenna was weak, I guess I'm on to something. Is there a solution?

 

[XDBrad]

Sometimes when it’s weak, if you select AM then go right back to FM it corrects the problem. Bandaid for sure....

 

[Mich thor]

Sometimes when it’s weak, if you select AM then go right back to FM it corrects the problem. Bandaid for sure....

Thank you...I should have thought of that!

 

[Neurobit]

Hmm... I listen to both FM and AM, when I'm not listening to Jazz on XM. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Grouper]

Old thread but I listen to a a specific FM talk radio station at least 80% of the time I'm in my truck. In my previous 2010 Silverado, for 10 years driving in the same area (close to home), the reception was clear as a bell.

In my one month old 2021 Ram, it's incredibly annoying to hear almost constant static on this same frequency. It's 100% not a blown speaker. If I switch to XM, the reception is crystal clear.

Debating if I want to start the hassle of going to the dealer about this.

 

[Neurobit]

I would. Could be an issue with the antenna. As I've stated before, mine is crystal clear. Even on AM (yeah, I'm a right-wing deplorable boomer that listens to Rush)...

 

[Grouper]

I would. Could be an issue with the antenna. As I've stated before, mine is crystal clear. Even on AM ...

I wouldn't doubt it's an antenna issue. I'm just inclined to believe it's more of an issue of design than defect. But of course, I'm speculating.

I'll probably bring it in. I'm sure they'll say "could not duplicate."

 

[tac63]

My isn't useable for me anymore, which honestly I can say is the only vehicle I've had this way. Having had a 2018 chrysler 300 with in-glass antenna, 2015 charger with in-glass antenna, and many others with in-glass antennas this is the worst FM by far. I have about 14 stations on FM that I can pick up anywhere near where I am (Kansas City) in any vehicle without issue, very rare static if any, etc. However on the ram I have ZERO that don't have static always and at least half of the 14 that I can't get any signal at all on. Its mind blowing how bad the reception is.

I have not taken it in to the dealer yet as I travel for work nonstop and being down the truck is difficult, though at some point I will. I imagine that I will hear that my tint (not ceramic) is the cause, despite having the same tint on multiple others with no issue. That being said my remote start also won't work from more than 20' away so I just have reception issues in general (not a 3rd brake LED issue).

 

[KSOTI]

I had exactly the same problem as the OP. Thought I was going crazy to be honest. Take it to the dealership and they replace my entire system no question asked. It must be a common problem

 

[Grouper]

Old thread but I listen to a a specific FM talk radio station at least 80% of the time I'm in my truck. In my previous 2010 Silverado, for 10 years driving in the same area (close to home), the reception was clear as a bell.

In my one month old 2021 Ram, it's incredibly annoying to hear almost constant static on this same frequency. It's 100% not a blown speaker. If I switch to XM, the reception is crystal clear.

Debating if I want to start the hassle of going to the dealer about this.

The truck is at the dealer because of the poor FM reception (and two other warranty issues). The dealer has acknowledged the poor reception and is offering no corrective action. The response from the service manager is "...they checked connections, checked for any fault codes, updates, or bulletins and found nothing at all. We compared the radio to another vehicle on the lot and had the same issue on the same channels."

This is unacceptable. I paid way too much for this vehicle to accept poor radio performance (static). While I don't know for sure, I'm assuming the issue is inherent to the use of the shark fin antenna. Here's a recent article addressing why GM still uses whip antennas on their trucks.

So what's the process to get Ram Cares involved?

 

[SKT Customs]

Mines the same, I hardly ever listen to the radio but even when I try the radio just cuts out NONSTOP because it’s searching for reception. I’m in SoCal so there’s tons of radio stations nearby and I can’t even use my radio. Good thing I have Spotify!

 

[RAMble]

One month old 2021 RAM 1500. Poorest FM radio reception I've ever experienced. Pulling in about 3 strong stations which would turn to poor reception as i drove. Thought I was going to have to take into dealership. Decided to pull the center stack on the dash and just check the antenna plug connection. Wow, there is like not an extra inch of antenna wire behind the dash. I pushed the antenna connector into the radio and I felt it seat itself better. Put the dash back together and now i'm receiving channels clearly that I wasn't before . I can see where during assembly the connector might not get fully seated because of the wiring length. I'll see if this really was a fix when I get out tomorrow.

 

[jimchi]

While I don't know for sure, I'm assuming the issue is inherent to the use of the shark fin antenna.

You hit the nail on the head. The best antenna for receiving FM radio signals is what's called a "quarter wave monopole antenna," about 2.5' to 3' in length. Using some electronics, you can physically shrink an antenna while keeping it at the same "electrical length." The tradeoff is range. This is why a whip antenna will always outperform a sharkfin in range.

Not a perfect analogy, but think of it this way: there's someone off in the distance shouting at you. Is it going to be easier to hear them with only your ears, or some larger device like the image below?

You can read more about monopole antennas here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopole_antenna

Disclaimer, I'm an electrical engineer, but my specialty is power, not radio.

 

[RAMble]

One month old 2021 RAM 1500. Poorest FM radio reception I've ever experienced. Pulling in about 3 strong stations which would turn to poor reception as i drove. Thought I was going to have to take into dealership. Decided to pull the center stack on the dash and just check the antenna plug connection. Wow, there is like not an extra inch of antenna wire behind the dash. I pushed the antenna connector into the radio and I felt it seat itself better. Put the dash back together and now i'm receiving channels clearly that I wasn't before . I can see where during assembly the connector might not get fully seated because of the wiring length. I'll see if this really was a fix when I get out tomorrow.

Just a follow up. Reception is dramatically better since pushing the antenna plug in behind the center stack / radio. I don't think the shark fin antenna reaches the level of reception that the old standard antenna did, but I can listen to FM radio again.

 

[Mack10r]

My fm reception was great until last week I disconnected the battery to charge it. I reconnected battery the following day and noticed my reception fading went to am and that to started to fade checked all connections now have am but still poor fm. Look like I’ll be checking all connections again.

 

[UglyMonk3y]

since i bought the truck in late 2020, fm reception has been bad. hd radio volume fluctuates & static, so i turn off hd & now it has steady volume & static. wife's camry & my old sequoia had much better fm reception on the same route i take this truck, both has shark fin antennas too.

might attempt what ramble did

Just a follow up. Reception is dramatically better since pushing the antenna plug in behind the center stack / radio. I don't think the shark fin antenna reaches the level of reception that the old standard antenna did, but I can listen to FM radio again.

 

[caaampin19]

Reception on my ‘19 Limited had been normal till last summer one day I was on the phone via CarPlay and the person on the other end noted I sounded very quiet. That day I also noticed my FM reception was very poor - picked up 1 station and that was it. Turns out this was a known issue and the dealer replaced the harness that goes up into the headliner.