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| Getting the Best Signal
We understand that many of you are tuning into AM for the first time
in hopes of tuning in superoldies 1580. We thought we would pass
along some tips that hopefully will help you get a clear signal,
especially in surrounding communitys. Two main keys to remember.
The antenna and position of the radio make a world of difference.
The telescoping antenna that sticks out of your radio is for FM, not
AM. The AM antenna on a portable radio is usually a ferrite rod with
a thin wire wound around it. The AM antenna is inside the radio and
normally runs across the back of the radio parallel to the ground.
To get the most signal either the front or back of the radio should
face the broadcast tower so the antenna is perpendicular to the
signal, like a sail spread out to catch the wind.
But sometimes it is better to minimize interference rather than
maximize the signal. You do this by pointing one end of the antenna
rod at the source of interference. As the antenna rod normally runs
along the back of the radio, parallel to the ground, you point
either end of the radio at the source of interference. This can do
wonders. The interference may almost disappear.
If your problem is another radio station that is right next to the
one you want on the dial you might be able to find out through
experimentation, or the Internet where its signal is and then point
either end of the radio at the offending stations broadcast tower to
largely eliminate its signal.
Often the interference is not another radio station, it is an
annoying buzz. Note, that the interference is always a radio signal,
whether it is a signal from another channel or a buzz from a
florescent light. You minimize the signal by doing the opposite of
what you would do to maximize a signal you want.
You can find buzz interference with a radio. If you have a portable
radio you can move it around looking for the buzz. If you put the
radio up close to a source of interference, for example, florescent
lights, it should buzz loudly, the buzz will decrease as you move it
away.
Also the buzzing will increase if the front, back, top or bottom of
the radio faces the interference, and decrease if the left or right
end of the radio faces the interference. This is because the
interference decreases when either end of the ferrite rod antenna
points at the interference, and increases when the length of the rod
faces the interference.
You can also look for interference by turning individual appliances
on or off. Or turn all the electricity in part of your home off with
the switches at the fuse box. This will allow you to narrow down the
search for your problem.
Interference sources you can turn off
When you are looking for interference it helps to know what the
likely sources of interference are. Unfortunately there are many
sources of interference. The lucky thing is that the interference
often disappears if the radio is not within a foot or two of the
interference. Often, but not always. Here is a list of interference
sources that you can simply turn off is the source is in your home.
1.. florescent lights
Interference sources you can not simply turn off
Unfortunately, there are many other interference sources that can
not simply be turned off. Here are some of the more common ones with
suggested solutions.
Touch lamps, the type you turn on by simply touching the base, have
to be unplugged not just turned off.
Light dimmers can cause interference even if they are in your
neighbor's apartment. If you have one in your home, you can have it
replaced with a regular switch.
Hard wired smoke detectors cause interference, they can be replaced
by battery powered models.
Aquarium heaters, particularly some cheaper models, cause
interference. You can upgrade to a better model. The key point is
the way the thermostat turns the heater on and off. In cheap heaters
the electricity can arch when the heater is about to turn on. In the
more expensive models little magnets pull together and complete the
circuit in a quick way that prevents arching.
Automatic on/off night lights and outdoor yard lights which come on
automatically also generate interference.
Dirty or faulty insulators on utility poles can cause interference,
you can phone the utility company and ask to have them repaired or
replaced.
A faulty electric switch in your house can cause interference. You
can have it replaced. This might be a good idea even if you are not
concerned with AM reception.
The interference maybe coming through the electric socket that
powers the radio. If the problem disappears when you use a
battery-powered radio then you have found the source of the
interference.
Some older radios have plugs that are not polarized. If you can flip
the plug over then the plug is not polarized. Sometimes the
interference can be cut by turning the plug over and putting the
prongs in the opposite socket holes.
There maybe other sources of interference in your neighborhood that
you will have to live with: medical equipment, radio equipment, and
neon signs. You can deal with these in several ways.
First, minimize the interference by pointing the ends of the ferrite
rod toward the source of interference as explained above.
Second, move the radio as far away from the source of interference
as you can. Most interference problems disappear if the radio is a
couple of feet away from the interference so this can work wonders.
For stubborn radio noise problems, you may wish to consult a book
published by the FCC, entitled "Interference Handbook". It can be
found in its online version by clicking
HERE. You can also follow
that link to find out how you can get a hard copy of the book.
If you have further questions or problems please feel free to email me.
Mike Peacock |
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