How To: Radio Reception; FM=bad, AM=None

[Geeforces]

I have this problem, but it is not due to the antenna coax cable coming apart. A few times in the past I have had to reattach the cable ends, until I finally taped them together with several wrappings of electrical tape.

This time I looked, expecting to find the tape had failed, but the cable was intact. I checked the end at the antenna, and it is secure. Is there a signal booster in the radio? Does anyone know of another cause for the problem?

[Blue Bowtie]

Yes, there are several "signal boosters" in the radio, known as amplifier stages. The first few stages are RF, and then IF, and finally audio. If any of them fail, the radio can be silent. Fortunately, the radio can be removed for evaluation without too much difficulty. A separate antenna can also be installed directly to test the radio once it is removed.

[Geeforces]

Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie

Yes, there are several "signal boosters" in the radio, known as amplifier stages. The first few stages are RF, and then IF, and finally audio. If any of them fail, the radio can be silent. Fortunately, the radio can be removed for evaluation without too much difficulty. A separate antenna can also be installed directly to test the radio once it is removed.

I was trying to get around finding and buying any parts until I knew the solution, but it sounds like an antenna will be a handy thing to have. I don't see how the antenna itself could fail, but having a spare will at least allow me to test and eliminate (or accuse) the cable/antenna.