Improving AM radio reception?

[dragoneggs]

Or you could just go to your local junkyard and get an old car radio. 90s vintage GM radios had very good AM sections. A 12V power supply, a couple speakers and a few feet of wire for an antenna and you're good.

That was pretty much my bedroom setup as a teenager. I installed a Pioneer AM/FM cassette player in my first car. I bought a second removable 'docking' station and a 12v Radio Shack supply. I had to remove my stereo from my car every night in fear of theft, so I figured it might as well double as my bedroom stereo. :thumbsup:

I miss my dad. He was an electrical engineer... not enough of him rubbed off on me. More than plenty though if you were to ask my wife or my mother (RIP). :laughing:

 

[k0ua]

Or you could just go to your local junkyard and get an old car radio. 90s vintage GM radios had very good AM sections. A 12V power supply, a couple speakers and a few feet of wire for an antenna and you're good.

True that. Even from the 70's on up to the 90's. I remember when we were a kid we all listened to very good quality AM radios in our cars, often listening every night to stations hundreds of miles away. Or even a thousand or more. Of course the environment was much "cleaner" then RF wise. But those car radios in those days were very good.

 

[dragoneggs]

Took the cover off and...

 

[ultrarunner]

It really wasn't until 2000 or so when I noticed high end Euro imports had lousy AM.

I will have to dig out my Grandfather's telephone book size radio... he always had the radio on when shaving getting ready for work.

 

[dragoneggs]

So is this the doohickey I'm supposed to wrap somehow?

 

[k0ua]

View attachment 673099

So is this the doohickey I'm supposed to wrap somehow?

Unfortunately no. That is the power transformer for the power supply. i don't see the loop stick antenna, and it may not have one. I am seeing very little radio there in these photo's . Does the circuit board go under that big plastic housing ?

 

[dragoneggs]

Unfortunately no. That is the power transformer for the power supply. i don't see the loop stick antenna, and it may not have one. I am seeing very little radio there in these photo's . Does the circuit board go under that big plastic housing ?

Yes, and I can't figure how to get to the rest of the board without damaging it.

 

[k0ua]

Yes, and I can't figure how to get to the rest of the board without damaging it.

Mark PM me, so I can give you a call

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay, tried extending a wire from the radio 50 ft or so up outside the shop and along the roof top. No difference in static. What I did notice is that if I move the radio from inside to outside the shop (wood construction) I get better reception. Actually tried a couple of radios and no difference.

Seems an extended wired antenna is far less effective than the location of the receiver. Thinking the indoor location with lots of 110v/220v wiring throughout the above the ceiling is causing RF interference. Brought the radio inside the house and much the same results though.

And yeah, my AM radio in my car struggles when I get close to home and in the driveway as well so I know I am on the edge but there must be a solution.

 

[Bendboater]

Okay, tried extending a wire from the radio 50 ft or so up outside the shop and along the roof top. No difference in static. What I did notice is that if I move the radio from inside to outside the shop (wood construction) I get better reception. Actually tried a couple of radios and no difference.

Seems an extended wired antenna is far less effective than the location of the receiver. Thinking the indoor location with lots of 110v/220v wiring throughout the above the ceiling is causing RF interference. Brought the radio inside the house and much the same results though.

And yeah, my AM radio in my car struggles when I get close to home and in the driveway as well so I know I am on the edge but there must be a solution.

dragoneggs,
I see your problem. On the transformer, where it says........ "Made in China".....................
Seriously though, I suspect K0UA can help you out, but here are some other thoughts:
- I have had amazing success with tuned loop antennas. They're almost magical. If you look on Youtube, you'll see some demonstrations. Build your own or, for about $30, purchase one (which you already have). In your case, just set it near your radio (don't plug it in) and adjust it's position (relative to the radio and the world). Then tune the capacitor for best reception. You will notice a difference....unless it is broken that is.
- I recently purchased a C Crane radio for my greenhouse and WOW, what a difference.....and it even has a real antenna input jack on the back just like the radios of old did! It's a shame that you have to pay close to $100 to get a decent radio these days though.
- Perhaps you can get the station you want via a simulcast on the FM band.....assuming you can even get FM in your location.
- If you have internet, use your phone (or a WIFI radio) and listen to any station in the country (world???)
- Forget the radio in the shop and go play on your tractor (being a tractor site, I just couldn't resist)
Good luck,
Steve

 

[lennyzx11]

I use Bluetooth am/fm hearing protectors on the tractor.
One of my wishes is to have an honest radio with a decent speaker mounted on the tractor to listen to while I’m doing”stuff” nearby.
But the 2nd half would be harder to achieve. A strong AM station like yesteryears that didn’t play the same 20 songs over and over!
Started drifting towards NPR it seems.
Funny. I don’t feel old.

 

[k0ua]

Okay, tried extending a wire from the radio 50 ft or so up outside the shop and along the roof top. No difference in static. What I did notice is that if I move the radio from inside to outside the shop (wood construction) I get better reception. Actually tried a couple of radios and no difference.

Seems an extended wired antenna is far less effective than the location of the receiver. Thinking the indoor location with lots of 110v/220v wiring throughout the above the ceiling is causing RF interference. Brought the radio inside the house and much the same results though.

And yeah, my AM radio in my car struggles when I get close to home and in the driveway as well so I know I am on the edge but there must be a solution.

It would be interesting to bring a known good receiver like one of my Icom 7300's over an stick your wire into its antenna port and have a look at the spectrum scope/waterfall and see where the problem lies. If you werent 2000+ miles away, I would do just that.

ICOM IC-73 HF Plus 5 MHz Transceivers IC-73 - Free Shipping on Most Orders Over $99 at DX Engineering

 

[Oaktree]

But the 2nd half would be harder to achieve. A strong AM station like yesteryears that didn稚 play the same 20 songs over and over!
Funny. I don稚 feel old.

Nah, stations played the "same 20 songs over and over" when we were young too, it's just that back then it was "our" music and not "that crap kids listen to today".
When I was in high school I got a p/t job at our local station as a weekend DJ. My aunt (who was in her mid 50s at the time) would always ask me why we played the same stupid songs over and over again, and would proceed to make fun of them. This was in 1967.
I don't feel old either, but these young whippersnappers would probably disagree. :laughing:

 

[dragoneggs]

dragoneggs,
I see your problem. On the transformer, where it says........ "Made in China".....................
Seriously though, I suspect K0UA can help you out, but here are some other thoughts:
- I have had amazing success with tuned loop antennas. They're almost magical. If you look on Youtube, you'll see some demonstrations. Build your own or, for about $30, purchase one (which you already have). In your case, just set it near your radio (don't plug it in) and adjust it's position (relative to the radio and the world). Then tune the capacitor for best reception. You will notice a difference....unless it is broken that is.
- I recently purchased a C Crane radio for my greenhouse and WOW, what a difference.....and it even has a real antenna input jack on the back just like the radios of old did! It's a shame that you have to pay close to $100 to get a decent radio these days though.
- Perhaps you can get the station you want via a simulcast on the FM band.....assuming you can even get FM in your location.
- If you have internet, use your phone (or a WIFI radio) and listen to any station in the country (world???)
- Forget the radio in the shop and go play on your tractor (being a tractor site, I just couldn't resist)
Good luck,
Steve

Okay, note that I am playing with two different radios and I did buy a tuned loop antenna. One is about 20yr old BOSE Wave radio that has been great. The other is a newly purchased and apparently highly touted C Crane CCRadio3 supposedly known for its great AM reception I have to say, the Bose is out performing the CCrane in the shop as far as static goes without the tuned loop. The most effective thing I can do is just move around and rotate the radios to reduce the static noise.

Interestingly, inside the house, the tuned loop seems a little more effective and the CCrane definitely performs better than the Bose!

 

[dragoneggs]

It would be interesting to bring a known good receiver like one of my Icom 7300's over an stick your wire into its antenna port and have a look at the spectrum scope/waterfall and see where the problem lies. If you werent 2000+ miles away, I would do just that.

ICOM IC-73 HF Plus 5 MHz Transceivers IC-73 - Free Shipping on Most Orders Over $99 at DX Engineering

That would be awesome, James! You are welcome anytime.

I started looking at Transceivers and trying to learn what I can do with them. Going to need to do a bunch more studying to understand though. Not sure the better half would understand why I need to drop a grand on one but you got me thinking. Not a good thing! :laughing:

 

[k0ua]

That would be awesome, James! You are welcome anytime.

I started looking at Transceivers and trying to learn what I can do with them. Going to need to do a bunch more studying to understand though. Not sure the better half would understand why I need to drop a grand on one but you got me thinking. Not a good thing! :laughing:

Be advised, it is a never ending learning journey if you start down the Amateur Radio road. It is a lot of fun, especially if you like learning. I don't say this to everyone, but I know enough about you that I know you would really enjoy this and get a lot out of it, and would also be available to put a lot back into it by helping others. Even if you don't have a great interest now, keep it in the back of your mind for maybe later. There is so much to learn, it is like drinking from a fire-hose at first. But I would do anything in my power to assist. At least from afar. Call me anytime if you have interest or questions. James K0UA

 

[Bendboater]

Okay, note that I am playing with two different radios and I did buy a tuned loop antenna. One is about 20yr old BOSE Wave radio that has been great. The other is a newly purchased and apparently highly touted C Crane CCRadio3 supposedly known for its great AM reception I have to say, the Bose is out performing the CCrane in the shop as far as static goes without the tuned loop. The most effective thing I can do is just move around and rotate the radios to reduce the static noise.

Interestingly, inside the house, the tuned loop seems a little more effective and the CCrane definitely performs better than the Bose!

You should see a huge increase in even static when you position the tuned loop near (~6" from) the radio. No need to connect with a wire. Tune the capacitor for maximum static. Then move the loop around (perhaps reposition the radio some too) for maximum signal. Might take a bit of back and forth, but I would be surprised if it didn't significantly increase the signal strength of the station you are trying to listen too. Of course, there has to be some signal to start with.

You don't need to spend $1K to get started in Ham radio ....... I sure didn't when I was in 7th grade. Surplus (anyone else used to grind their own crystals for 40 meter CW?), used gear (convert old CB's to 20 meters and talk to Japan), or, better yet, make your own (small, light weight CW only rigs that easily fit in a small pack). Of course, the tractor to put the rig in might cost pretty penny.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay a couple of break throughs this afternoon...

1. Went to BestBuy and bought a Wifi extender and placed it near the front door of the house just inside. Couldn't get the 2.4g to sync yet but was able to get the 5g to sync. So now I can use my laptop or iPhone in the detached shop with just enough signal to play internet radio without using cell data. I'm using Bluetooth on the CC3 to play over a decent speaker/amp, and can utilize the bass/treble adjustment. Nice!

Still need to try to get the 2.4g to sync so I don't need to keep the phone close to the shop entry door to maintain signal.

2. Also tried running the CC3 on 4 D cells instead of 110v and connected the loop antenna and BINGO... with a little adjustment of radio and antenna orientations, I am getting a fairly clean reception. Not crazy about running on batteries but that's what I will have to live with if I am not using internet radio.

 

[ultrarunner]

any quick and easy way to filter the AC voltage?

 

[dragoneggs]

any quick and easy way to filter the AC voltage?

I'm listening!