How Vehicle Radio Works - Hyundai KONA 2021 Owner's Manual

Convenient features

How vehicle radio works

FM reception
AM and FM radio signals are broadcast
from transmitter towers located around
your city. They are intercepted by the
radio antenna on your vehicle. This signal
is then received by the radio and sent to
your vehicle speakers.
When a strong radio signal has reached
your vehicle, the precise engineering
of your audio system ensures the best
possible quality reproduction. However,
in some cases the signal coming to your
vehicle may not be 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 or
other large obstructions in the area.
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AM (MW, LW) reception
AM broadcasts can be received at
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greater distances than FM broadcasts.
This is because AM radio waves are
transmitted at low frequencies. 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
FM broadcasts are transmitted at high
frequencies and do not bend to follow
the earth's surface. Because of this, FM
broadcasts generally 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.
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