Improving AM radio reception?

[k0ua]

It is possible that the very small tuned loop you bought would offer some improvement if you inductively coupled it to built in ferrite loopstick antenna inside,but I am not a fan of such loops, and their very narrow tuning and small aperture.

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks James... I knew you would come to the rescue. I will open up the box and run some wire. Seen a couple YouTube vids that showing a long wire does wonders. I have lots of insulated wire and various gauges.

Does it matter if it is stranded or solid? Figuring it doesn't. Hey I switched from electrical to mechanical engineering for a reason! :ashamed:

 

[user.69169]

Strikes me you just might be North of Line A out there, and de radio itself might not be de problem. Whole bunch of stations North of Line A was required to downpower transmission year or so back which meant lousey signal in lot of places.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Just adding signal strength to a poorly designed receiver isn't the answer. I learned that a long time ago, using twenty pound commercial Motorola Radios, good for only a few channels on a given band as opposed to the litle junky hammy-hamster rigs that could receive DC-Light, but had poor specs, and intermod rejection. I never owned a C-Crane, but it would be nice to play with one. In this country, pedestrian signs (probably the LED power supply) mess up AM car radio completely. Curious, if a C-Crane would be affected or not.

 

[ultrarunner]

"Select a Antenna 541" is something from the past used to tune in distant AM

Never used one but knew people in remote areas that did... no batteries required.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks James... I knew you would come to the rescue. I will open up the box and run some wire. Seen a couple YouTube vids that showing a long wire does wonders. I have lots of insulated wire and various gauges.

Does it matter if it is stranded or solid? Figuring it doesn't. Hey I switched from electrical to mechanical engineering for a reason! :ashamed:

It does not matter solid or stranded.

 

[PILOON]

How about winding the DC+ wire around a D cell lead acid carbon core?

 

[kenmbz]

When we used to make our own AM radios, used 100-200 feet of wire inductively coupled. However, that will not increase selectivity. If you have too long an antenna, could pick up two stations at the same/similar frequency. so trial and error on this one and make sure your wire is insulated so you don;t let out any smoke

 

[Xfaxman]

Well it worked great for my situation that was a weak signal inside a metal building.

Just point the loop toward the station and set the radio close to the loop no connection was used.

The tuning knob on the antenna is very sensitive. Move the radio around the loop for the best signal.

 

[Oaktree]

Also for that matter, any old "boat-anchor" tube type Amateur or general coverage receiver built in the last 50 or 60 years will have pretty good AM broadcast band reception.

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.