How do you improve auto am radio reception?

Answer 1

Refer http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7706 Quote from "Ziny": Here's an idea which I tried on my Creative Zen Microphoto to improve the radio reception.

This method should help any mp3 player which uses the headphone cable as an FM radio antenna.

1) Connect a 2 into 1 stereo jack into the player.

2) Connect a stereo extension cable into one of the two plugs. I use a 2 meter cable for this purpose. I leave the other end of this extension cable bare (unused).

Note: A shielded coaxial cable is NOT recommended.

3) Connect your headphones into the second stereo plug, leading directly from the player.

This method improves reception whilst not using any more power. I know that autoscan picks up more stations using this method so I know the antenna is more sensitive. Spurious interference noise is also reduced.

It seems paradoxical that the better the signal to noise ratio is, of the player, the more noticeable the extra noise is!

The microphoto makes an excellent radio and is fantastic when picking up a clean stereo signal. I think it actually shows which radio stations have the best quality transmitting equipment.

Of course there is room for improvement in sound quality reception, but I am happy with the improvement made so far.

Thanks PS. With respect to the 2 into 1 stereo connector (splitter), get one with gold or nickel type non-corroding fittings. Brass type fittings will oxidise and increase contact resistance at the connections, reducing antenna effectiveness over time. Thanks.

Answer 2

Believe it or not, that's a tough one to answer since Am radio is so sensitive to outside interference. But the best advice I can give is to use a good quality brand radio, stay away from `outside' electrical sources that can cause interference (like flashing neon signs, anything that's operated by a switch of some type, motors, spark plugs, etc.) and the addition of a good antenna, if possible.

The one good thing is that AM radio is able to use sky propigation where usually in the evenings and at night, the signals can `skip' through and bounce off the ionisphere, carrying for thousands of miles, making it possible to hear a radio station that would be considered `impossible' to listen to during the day.

Answer 3

To receive digital TV signals from all stations, it is important that your antenna be able to receive both VHF channels (channels 2-13) and UHF channels (channels 14-51). Some antennas only provide good reception of VHF or UHF channels, but not both. For example, indoor "rabbit ears" usually need to be augmented with an additional "wire loop" or "bowtie" antenna (see pictures below) in order to pick up signals on UHF channels. Consumers should be aware that even if they use a digital-to-analog converter box, they will still need to use an antenna to receive DTV signals. Many of the antennas currently being sold as "HDTV Antennas," perform best at receiving UHF signals; some of these models state that they provide reception of signals on channels 7-13 but actually perform less well receiving those channels. If you obtain one of these antennas, be sure it provides good reception of all the VHF channels as well as the UHF channels. The reception capabilities of TV antennas also vary considerably, so be sure to talk to retail consultants and look at information on the packaging and/or the internet to make sure that any new antenna you may choose provides good reception of both VHF and UHF channels. In addition, if you use an indoor antenna and receive signals on VHF channels, you may need to use an antenna with amplification. To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available at www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps.

Answer 4

Put up a new all band TV antenna with coax lead in wire as high as you can. Connect other end of coax wire to the receiver. If there is no coax (F-connector) antenna input use a 300 to 75 transformer to connect to the two screw type connectors. If the antenna is the directional type it will need to be pointed toward the station you are trying to receive. With the local stations you might not need to turn the antenna at all but I would. If you trying to receive stations over ten plus miles away, use the largest antenna you can.

Answer 5

With an AM radio run out a long length of wire (the longer the better), wind the wire around the radio a few times and connect the end nearest the radio to a cold water pipe. For FM make sure that the supplied antenna is fully extended. You could run a counterpoise wire connected to the -ve battery connection this should be about 1m long. Make sure that the counterpoise is stretched in the opposite direction to the supplied antenna. You could connect an external FM antenna if the radio has a suitable socket.

With either band positioning is important. Placing the radio near a widow and rotate the radio or adjust the position of the antenna for best reception.

Answer 6

That depends on what kind of radio you're using, if you are using satellite radio reception depends on location of the satellite, on regular radios, reception depends on how far away from the transmission of the signal.

Answer 7

You can improve it by going closer to where the channel is coming from.

Answer 8

Tin cans and alum foil.