Fm Mode; Comparing Am With Fm - Kia Sorento 2008 Owner's Manual

FM mode

Frequency Modulation (FM) broadcasts
make use of high-frequency radio waves
to carry the signals to your car antenna.
FM radio waves are best received in
'clear line-of-sight' conditions. Unlike low-
frequency radio waves that can 'bend'
around physical obstructions like build-
ings or mountains, FM radio signals are
easily blocked by physical obstructions
like buildings or mountains. Moreover,
FM radio signals cannot travel as far as
AM radio signals. Due to FM radio sig-
nals' short transmission range, you will
notice that FM stations generally serve
listeners within a restricted radius (typi-
cally within one city).
The signal strength of a FM transmission
will probably fade soon after you leave
the city the station is based in. This is due
to the technological limitations of the FM
transmission standard and does not
mean that your radio is defective.
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Knowing your vehicle

Comparing AM with FM

Do remember that signal strength is only
one factor affecting audio reproduction
quality. AM broadcasts are in Mono mode
whereas FM broadcasts are in Stereo
mode. Therefore, provided that the FM
radio signal is strong and clear, the audio
reproduction quality of an FM broadcast
will always sound brighter, fuller and rich-
er than an AM broadcast. This is due to
the technological limitations of the AM
transmission standard and is does not
mean that your radio is defective.
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