How to Improve AM Reception
AM radio reception can be noisy as a result of distance from the station's antenna, interference from other stations, the quality of your radio, or conditions in your home. A few low- or no-cost experiments can result in radically improved reception.
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Instructions
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Gradually rotate the radio 360 degrees. Leave it in the position where it sounds best.
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Reverse the AC plug if it isn't polarized. (If you can flip the plug over, then it's non-polarized.)
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Plug the radio into a different AC outlet.
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4
Move the radio closer to a window.
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Experiment to learn if appliances and powered products in your home are causing interference: computer monitor, television, electric blanket, light dimmer, fluorescent light, hair dryer, air conditioner, smoke detector. If possible, turn off the offending item. Otherwise, move the radio to another room.
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Upgrade to an external antenna if your receiver, tuner or radio has a place to connect one.
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7
Buy a passive AM antenna that doesn't need to be connected to a radio or receiver.
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Tips & Warnings
Powered antennas boost noise along with signal.
Passive (not AC or battery-powered) antennas don't boost signal as much as powered antennas, but powered antennas boost noise along with signal.
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Comments
View all 11 Comments-
bigerv
Dec 10, 2009
I made an am antenna from information found on this site. When connecting to the radio there is much more static and does not improve reception. On the radio there is an am screw and a wire out of the back that I assume to be a ground. Reversing the two does not help. However, when attaching that wire to one of the fm screws, fm reception is much improved. I took the back from the radio and traced the am screw wire to a ferret bar. Any advice out there?? Thank You -
rattlehead2112
Apr 01, 2009
I have a black square radio. The brand is "eton". It is a fm/am/tv/weather band radio. It has a built in led fashlight and alarm. It can run on dc power, batteries, or on wind up power. I've had it for a few years now and it's a really great radio. I found through amazon when i was looking for survival radios. Good Luck!
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rattlehead2112
Apr 01, 2009
I have a black square radio. The brand is "eton". It is a fm/am/tv/weather band radio. It has a built in led fashlight and alarm. It can run on dc power, batteries, or on wind up power. I've had it for a few years now and it's a really great radio. I found through amazon when i was looking for survival radios. Good Luck!
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amii
Jan 20, 2009
I m desperately looking for a Good quality (Square Shaped Blackcolored) radio for along time.One may wonder that what to do with the color and shape if it's of good quality.Believe me i would love to listen to this fav kind radio. could anybody pls help me to hv this.
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amii
Jan 20, 2009
I m desperately looking for a Good quality (Square Shaped Blackcolored) radio for along time.One may wonder that what to do with the color and shape if it's of good quality.Believe me i would love to listen to this fav kind radio. could anybody pls help me to hv this.
