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