Missing Radio

[lejamjr]

When I bought my 2012 Big Sky it didn't have a radio. Im looking for radio recommendations. Preferably blue tooth capable. I was thinking about a Android Auto n Apple Auto touch screen. Like what you see in vehicles but im not 100% sure it will work. It should. What are your suggestions and where can I buy it

 

[Theunz]

Any car radio will work, just make sure that you hook it up to 12 volt power. As far as I know all the factory radios were 12 volt but there is always the exception! You may have to buy a cheap car antenna if there isn’t already a provision for one.

 

[Mikendebbie]

The thing in our rig that looks like a radio is pathetic IMHO. It will pick up strong stations on the FM side but AM is basically non-existent, and we like to listen to AM talk radio. Here is a thread in the past where I tried to improve reception. Most of my RVs in past had dedicated radio antennas on the roof and they worked much better. Montanas typically have a ribbon antenna in the compartment behind the radio. You should also allow for some sort of antenna for your new radio. Now that we have Starlink for internet (and not dependent on TMobile phone signal), I will Bluetooth an AM station off the internet to the radio.

Radio antenna

I finally got around to taking my radio out and looking at the antenna. The fm band has been marginal and am reception is 100% static. The antenna in the pic below was rolled up behind the radio. I found this antenna on amazon and the reviews are horrible. I held the antenna and moved it around...

www.montanaowners.com

 

[lejamjr]

The thing in our rig that looks like a radio is pathetic IMHO. It will pick up strong stations on the FM side but AM is basically non-existent, and we like to listen to AM talk radio. Here is a thread in the past where I tried to improve reception. Most of my RVs in past had dedicated radio antennas on the roof and they worked much better. Montanas typically have a ribbon antenna in the compartment behind the radio. You should also allow for some sort of antenna for your new radio. Now that we have Starlink for internet (and not dependent on TMobile phone signal), I will Bluetooth an AM station off the internet to the radio.

Radio antenna

I finally got around to taking my radio out and looking at the antenna. The fm band has been marginal and am reception is 100% static. The antenna in the pic below was rolled up behind the radio. I found this antenna on amazon and the reviews are horrible. I held the antenna and moved it around...

www.montanaowners.com

Im not even sure where the radio goes or if it had one. There's no indication of a hole where there was one. Other then it has 2 speakers for a tv that's it

 

[AZ Traveler]

A blue tooth portable speaker connected to the phone provides our music.

 

[LeftOverParts]

Amazon has them and Crutchfield too. You can search for RV stereo or car stereo. They usually mount in a panel.

How many zones do you want? Many 1 zone car stereo and some 2 zone RV/marine units out there. For 3 zones, you might be limited to Furrion or Jensen.

Wondering if anyone is using a small home receiver.

 

[Mikendebbie]

Leftover parts said…”Wondering if anyone is using a small home receiver.”

I believe the radios are 12 volt units.

Lejamjr - I think the radios are always located in the TV cabinet. I think your unit has cabinet doors just below the TV - so it was most likely in there from the factory. I looked at a few sales videos showing your year and model but nobody took the time to open those doors so I could possibly see the radio.

 

[lejamjr]

Amazon has them and Crutchfield too. You can search for RV stereo or car stereo. They usually mount in a panel.

How many zones do you want? Many 1 zone car stereo and some 2 zone RV/marine units out there. For 3 zones, you might be limited to Furrion or Jensen.

Wondering if anyone is using a small home receiver.

I would like 3 zone. Living room, bedroom and outside

 

[LeftOverParts]

Re the home stereo, I should have explained better. Many are 2 zone which doesn’t work the OP but if 3 zones isn’t needed, the sound quality can be superb if matched with nice speakers. You’d have to have 120V and get to the speaker wires, and have space for the unit. I’ve toyed with the idea to replace the Jensen speakers and getting a small sub, and home unit. (Or another, easier option for better sound is just use the sub output of the Jensen head unit our 5ver came with and get the same or similar sub the new models have).