Abstract: An automatic tuning receiver having an automatic tuning system which comprises an antenna input attenuator for attenuating antenna inputs and a sensitivity switching device, the sensitivity switching device having two positions, one controlling the attenuator to a high continuation condition for local station searching and alternatively to a low attenuation condition for distant station searches. In the high attenuation condition a switching means is further responsive to muting signals derived from the receiver so as to maintain the attenuator in a high attenuation condition during search, at the end of which time the search ceases, the receiver locks on the desired signal, and the disappearance of the muting signal causes the attenuator to revert to a low attenuation condition, thereby preserving an improved signal to noise condition in the receiver.