User manual

4
RADIO FREQUENCY INFORMATION
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) establish the frequencies AM and FM
stations may use for their broadcasts. Allowable frequencies are:
• AM 530, 540-1600, 1610 kHz
• FM 87.9, 88.0-107.1, 107.9 MHz
Not all frequencies are used in a given area.
Radio Reception Factors
Three factors can affect radio reception:
• Distance/strength. The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is. The
listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km (24
miles). This range can be affected by “signal modulation.” Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their strength/
volume relative to other stations.
• Terrain. Hills, mountains, and tall buildings between your vehicle’s antenna
and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems. Static can
be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences, traffic lights, and
thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering structure (out of its
“shadow”) returns your reception to normal.
• Station overload. Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may tempo-
rarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station frequency is
displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it will
improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.