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Radio Information

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Radio has been around since the early 1900's to the public. It allows us to keep up to date with what is happening locally or far away. We hear music, talk of all types and it keeps us up to date with everything from information to emergency situations that could affect us. Radio allows you to hear different points of interest regarding any topic near or far. The great thing about radio is it is free to listen.


Here you will find types of radios, antennas needed or other types of receiving.

Click on the Band above to find out more information.

Tired of missing your favorite radio talk show? Try using a device to record the show. There are several items out there that can record and play back at another time. Tape players, such as the VersaCorder by C. Crane, will record onto cassette tapes and allow setting timers while you are sleeping or away. Another great device to use would be the CC Witness by C. Crane. This digital recording device can do so much for such a small unit and it includes AM and FM radio. Please visit the following page for more information http://www.ccwitness.com.

Is your reception affected by radio noise? If you hear humming or buzzing sounds while listening to the AM band, it could be coming from electrical interference. Please review the following for devices that can affect your AM reception.

Radio noise and other annoying buzzes are many times transmitted through an AM radio. Here is a check-off list of the most likely causes:

Dimmer switch
Neighbors dimmer switch
Fluorescent light
Computer
Touch lamp (even when turned off)
Automatic on/off night lights.
Automatic outdoor yard lights
Electronic bug and pest controllers
Light bulb that is about to burn out
Faulty electrical switch
Nearby television set
Neighbor using fluorescent lights
Christmas tree lights & other blinking bulbs
Neighbors dimmer switch (apt. complex)
Scanners
Cell phone chargers
Dirty insulators on nearby power pole
Electric blanket
120V AC smoke detectors (battery operated OK)
Ionic Breeze or other electrostatic air purifier
Ultrasonic motion detectors
Appliances with motors
Wireless Signals (Wifi routers)
Note: Sometimes pool chlorine generates electrolytic action which causes radio noise over a wide spectrum of over 500' from the device. Unfortunately there is no known cure.

The best way to eliminate radio noise and interference is at its source. Here is a check-off list of possible solutions:

The most obvious solution is to turn off the offending device.
Temporarily switch the radio from AC power to battery power to see if the interference was coming from the electrical outlet (60 cycle). If the noise stops, our Single Outlet Surge Protector can dramatically reduce the radio the noise. It is only for one AC power adapter. Not to be used with power strips.
Turn off all circuit breakers to see if the noise stops. If it does then you know it is something in your house. Turn off one circuit at a time to isolate where it is coming from.
Use a battery operated radio as a direction finder. Turn the radio until the loudest noise is heard. The front and back of the radio will usually point to the noise origin.
Carry a radio around the neighborhood. Ask other neighbors if they have problems (with radio noise).
If a power pole is suspected, call the utility company and they will usually check the area and wash the insulators.
Often grounding a radio will reduce a hum caused from AC line noise. Unfortunately most receivers do not have a ground connection.

 

Station Reception Poor?

If the reception to your favorite station is not coming in during the day but real strong at night, it could be a result of the station broadcasting at a low power or transmitting in a different direction away from your location. To find out station information, visit Radio-Locator.com. 

 

An antenna may help but if you are outside of the Fringe area, an antenna may not help.

What is the proper length for a good AM wire antenna?

The optimum antenna length can be calculated by dividing the desired AM station frequency (example 810 kHz) into the number 1005, and multiplying by 1000 to determine the full wavelength 1005 divided by 810kHz = 1.240 x 1000 = 1,240 feet (full wave)

This means the best antenna length for 810 AM would be 1,240 feet long because this is the actual full wavelength of the transmission.

AM antennas can also be very effective when they are made to capture the half wave (1/2) or quarter wave (1/4). This is good information because not everybody has room for a 1,240 foot long antenna.
1,240 feet (full wave) divided by 2 = 620 feet (1/2 wave)
1,240 feet (full wave) divided by 4 = 310 feet (1/4 wave)

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