Antenna Wire Missing.

A web search for your model turned up a blank. You aren't kidding about having it for years. I'll give you some generic information about AM radio reception and hope you find something useful.

Generally, AM reception is through a wire coil wrapped around a ferrite (very fast magnetic material) rod. Received signal strength is dependent on the angle between the rod and the radio station's transmitter antenna, so rotating it in a horizontal direction (around an imaginary vertical line through the center of the receiver) is often helpful. The angle of the best direction can be affected by nearby equipment (metal appliances, ductwork, computers, etc.)

Many non-portable audio receivers and a few boom box types have both an AM and and FM antenna terminal on the back. The FM antenna is very much like a TV antenna (you can use a TV antenna) and is generally required to get FM reception except in units with a telescoping antenna mounted to the case. The AM antenna is used to augment the coil signal, and is generally needed only if you are trying to pick up a weak signal. Attaching a wire to the AM terminal may help (make sure you have a good electrical connection between the terminal and the metal of the wire). This wire will also have an optimal angle for best reception. Try arranging it vertically; many AM radio stations transmit vertically polarized signals for the benefit of car radio antennas.The longer the wire is, the better, but it doesn't have to be very large. The physical limit is about 110 yards, the practical limit is how much you can stand to have stretched out behind the stereo. (A thin wire going up the wall to the hook behind a picture will probably not attract much attention.)

Portable radios often use a single telescoping antenna for both AM and FM along with the internal coil previously described. If you have this, experiment with antenna position and radio location. I have been told that some early model LED light bulbs may interfere with AM radio reception, especially if they are within a few feet of the radio.

Actually most use the AC Ground as the other "phantom half" of your antenna... Of course YOU will not get access to that circuit because errors there could cost your life.

You COULD try stripping back some of the insulation and extending that single wire to a longer wire?

Wire placement will be a factor too so try moving that longer (and stock wire) around for BEST reception.

Here is a link with some insight:
How to Get Better Reception for My Single Wire FM Antenna Techwalla com



I tried to find a "service manual" and schematic to help more, but I could find none... these items are mostly throwaway now because the cost of labor and STOCKING specific parts is too expensive!

Anthony

FM reception is weak

What to do

• Extend the power cord as much as possible. The FM antenna is in the power cord.

• Move the power cord to adjust the FM antenna

• If you still have problems with FM reception, you may need an external antenna.

* Call Bose®Customer Service to request one.

The external antenna on your radio is a coax (round) design It needs an adaptor and an antenna which are cheap.

Easy to make, radio shack "F" connector 90 degrees or straight, to 300 ohm wire connections. Attatch a 300 ohm flat ribbon antenna cable to those two screws and plug into radio and see how your reception is. You will need to position the antenna wires to get best reception. I have hid them in back of paintings and so on.

Cheapest solution next to putting an extension cord on radio power cord.

With old radios it worked to connect the antenna to some central radiator or (metallic) water pipe. Some old wire was used to connect it;

HI there,

Well Yes you can improve the reception, please follow the below steps -

Improve FM Radio Reception -
 
1. If you don't have an antenna connected to your FM receiver, purchase a simple dipole antenna--a simple T-shape flexible wire-- and connect it to the FM antenna inputs on the receiver. Because FM signals are directional, you'll want to experiment with the positioning of the wire to find the best reception of the station you're trying to receive.
 
2. If you're still not getting a good signal, try an indoor amplified antenna, which you'll find at an electronics store. Don't buy one unless you get a guarantee that you can return it for full credit if it doesn't solve your reception problems.
 
3. If your signal is weak because you live a long way from the transmitter, install an outside antenna and mount it as high as is practical. If you're primarily interested in getting signals from one station or from a group of stations in one direction, get a directional antenna and point it toward the transmitters.
 
4. If you're using a portable FM radio where the only antenna is the power cord, stretch the cord as straight as possible and experiment with positioning again.
 
5. Temporarily switch to monaural mode to improve a weak signal on an FM receiver.


Improve AM Reception -
 
1. Gradually rotate the radio 360 degrees. Leave it in the position where it sounds best.
 
2. Reverse the AC plug if it isn't polarized. (If you can flip the plug over, then it's non-polarized.)
 
3. Plug the radio into a different AC outlet.
 
4. Move the radio closer to a window.
 
5. Experiment to learn if appliances and powered products in your home are causing interference: computer monitor, television, electric blanket, light dimmer, fluorescent light, hair dryer, air conditioner, smoke detector. If possible, turn off the offending item. Otherwise, move the radio to another room.
 
6. Upgrade to an external antenna if your receiver, tuner or radio has a place to connect one.
 
7. Buy a passive AM antenna that doesn't need to be connected to a radio or receiver.

Good Luck!!

Thanks

check radio antenna. could be loose connection or antenna missing or broken.

Radio Shack can get you an antenna, or a long wire (or wire coat hanger actually works too)

If its a one wire or two wire FM/AM antenna your needing just use a length of regular stereo speaker wire or electrical wire at least 5foot in length. Should do the trick nicely.

please rate answer.

Is it just a single wire?

If so, purchase a cheap FM antena. It looks like a "T" when spread out (4' to 5'). That should help.

You can purchase an "amplified" antenna, but if your area reception is really bad (such as in a valley) the antenna would just amplify the noise as well. Look for web based radio in this case or if you have cable there are stations on it.

Jeff