# Why doesn't radio fade out?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-radio-fade-out/355481>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 5, 2006, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-radio-fade-out/355481 "2006-05-05T01:16:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 18

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-radio-fade-out/355481/18 "2006-05-05T21:23:03Z")

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> [@jnglmassiv](#):
>
> The term for this is _selectivity_. FM receivers automatically tune to the strongest signal on a given channel.

You’re half right. FM receivers DO lock on to the strongest signal on a given channel, but this is variously called _FM signal capture_, _the FM capture effect_ and other similar terms. _Selectivity_ is the ability of the receiver to discriminate between signals on adjacent channels. In other words, if you have a receiver with poor selectivity tuned to 98.5, you might also be able to receive a signal broadcasting on 98.7 or 98.3.

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