Hyundai Matrix 2003 Owner's Manual page 240

B750A02A-AAT
STEREO SOUND SYSTEM
How Car Audio Works
FM reception
Ionosphere
SSAR010A
AM and FM radio signals are broadcast from
transmitter towers located around your city.
They are intercepted by the radio antenna on
your car. This signal is then received by the
radio and sent to your car speakers.
When a strong radio signal has reached your
vehicle, the precise engineering of your audio
system ensures high quality reproduction. How-
ever, in some cases the signal coming to your
vehicle is not strong and clear. This can be due
to factors such as the distance from the radio
station, closeness of other strong radio stations
or the presence of buildings, bridges and other
large obstructions in the area.
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
AM reception
Ionosphere
SSAR011A
AM broadcasts can be received at greater
distances than FM broadcasts. This is because
AM radio waves are transmitted at low fre-
quency. These long, low frequency radio waves
can follow the curvature of the earth rather than
travelling straight out into the atmosphere. In
addition, they curve around obstructions so
that they can provide better signal coverage.
FM radio station
Unobstructed
area
Mountains
Buildings
Iron bridges
Obstructed area
SSAR012A
FM broadcasts are transmitted at high fre-
quency and do not bend to follow the earth's
surface. Because of this, FM broadcasts gen-
erally begin to fade at short distances from the
station. Also, FM signals are easily affected by
buildings, mountains, or other obstructions.
These can result in certain listening conditions
which might lead you to believe a problem
exists with your radio. The following conditions
are normal and do not indicate radio trouble:
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