I have a clock radio that uses the electrical plug as the antennae.
However, the reception in my bedroom is really bad during the summer
months, but gets somewhat better in the winter months.

Anyway, is there some type of connector plug that I can plug the radio
in to get better reception?

Any help appreciated,
Chris

On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:20:19 -0400, Mathussic wrote:

I have a clock radio that uses the electrical plug as the antennae.
However, the reception in my bedroom is really bad during the summer
months, but gets somewhat better in the winter months.

Anyway, is there some type of connector plug that I can plug the radio
in to get better reception?

Any help appreciated,
Chris

AM or FM, what frequency? Is there a connection on it for the
antenna? Two or three wire cord?

(some line cord antennas are a piece of steel crimped on the
insulation of the power cord and attach to a screw on the back of the
radio - you remove that and add a wire or dipole antenna to the screw)

Are you able to have an external antenna where you live? Is it only
some distant stations that give you problems?

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On 2006-08-11, Mathussic wrote:
I have a clock radio that uses the electrical plug as the antennae.
However, the reception in my bedroom is really bad during the summer
months, but gets somewhat better in the winter months.

those things never work well.

Anyway, is there some type of connector plug that I can plug the radio
in to get better reception?

You could try an extension lead in various configurations and/or sitting the
radio on a grounded platform, or a platform attached to an antenna, or at
the focus of a reflector aimed at your radio station...

Best solution is to replace it, tune it to a stronger station (one of those
low power fm transmiietrs connected to a real radio), or open it up*and
connect an external antenna.

Bye.
Jasen

Well, how about some generalized answers to this question, that I've sought
answers to before as well.

Let's assume:

1) 2 wire power cord
2) some problems w/local stations - draping the cord in weird/awkward
positions can help
3) no external connector for antenna

How about 2 answers?:

1) assume you don't/won't/can't open the case - only external mods
2) assume you could open case

How about same info for battery powered atomic clock? I have one at my
office that works OK near window, but can't get a signal when I put it where
I want it.

Many thanks,
Steve

"default" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:20:19 -0400, Mathussic wrote:

I have a clock radio that uses the electrical plug as the antennae.
However, the reception in my bedroom is really bad during the summer
months, but gets somewhat better in the winter months.

Anyway, is there some type of connector plug that I can plug the radio
in to get better reception?

Any help appreciated,
Chris

AM or FM, what frequency? Is there a connection on it for the
antenna? Two or three wire cord?

(some line cord antennas are a piece of steel crimped on the
insulation of the power cord and attach to a screw on the back of the
radio - you remove that and add a wire or dipole antenna to the screw)

Are you able to have an external antenna where you live? Is it only
some distant stations that give you problems?

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On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:10:41 GMT, "Steve Saunders"
wrote:

Well, how about some generalized answers to this question, that I've sought
answers to before as well.

Let's assume:

1) 2 wire power cord
2) some problems w/local stations - draping the cord in weird/awkward
positions can help
3) no external connector for antenna

Draping the wire around to improve the reception implies an FM VHF
frequecy - should I assume that?

With AM frequencies a large tuned loop antenna in close proximity to
the internal ferrite antenna can dramatically improve reception.

How about 2 answers?:

1) assume you don't/won't/can't open the case - only external mods

The external things - design and build a pre-tuner to capture the
signal from a real antenna and then capacitively couple it into the
power line with a "gimick" cap like some aluminum foil wraped around a
portion of the cord.

2) assume you could open case

Locate the RF input and bring it to the outside of the case so you can
add an antenna - probably want to disconnect the power cord antenna
too - and take pains to make sure the installation is shock proof,
since the chassis/common may not be isolated from the power line.
Takes some knowledge to pull it off - ideally one wants a balanced
input if it is VHF.

How about same info for battery powered atomic clock? I have one at my
office that works OK near window, but can't get a signal when I put it where
I want it.

There may not be much you can do about that without opening the case
and adding an antenna - typically they receive one or more of the
standard time broadcasts in the HF range - the building is probably
inhibiting the signal. shock isn't an issue with battery power so
that may be a good option - also check out the instructions, they may
already have a solution.

Many thanks,
Steve

"default" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:20:19 -0400, Mathussic wrote:

I have a clock radio that uses the electrical plug as the antennae.
However, the reception in my bedroom is really bad during the summer
months, but gets somewhat better in the winter months.

Anyway, is there some type of connector plug that I can plug the radio
in to get better reception?

Any help appreciated,
Chris

AM or FM, what frequency? Is there a connection on it for the
antenna? Two or three wire cord?

(some line cord antennas are a piece of steel crimped on the
insulation of the power cord and attach to a screw on the back of the
radio - you remove that and add a wire or dipole antenna to the screw)

Are you able to have an external antenna where you live? Is it only
some distant stations that give you problems?

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On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:10:41 GMT, "Steve Saunders"
wrote:

I made one other assumption - that the radio is working properly. A
power line spike caused by lightening may have wiped out the first
amplification stage. Has the problem always been present?

Will it work properly in a wood frame building?

How far away is(are) the station(s) and what is in the way? VHF and
high frequencies are line-of-sight. 20-30 miles may be all as good as
it gets with no proper antenna - with a good antenna in a good
location that same signal could be good for 100+ miles.

Put it on a ground floor surrounded by tall buildings, hills, or other
obstructions and you will need an antenna mounted where it can catch
some of the signal.

Not a concern with AM radio as a rule.

It is likely a location problem - type of building or surroundings are
attenuating the signal too much.


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In 6ATCg.13989$LF4.930@dukeread05,
Mathussic mentions:
I have a clock radio that uses the electrical plug as the antennae.
However, the reception in my bedroom is really bad during the summer
months, but gets somewhat better in the winter months.

Anyway, is there some type of connector plug that I can plug the radio
in to get better reception?

Not directly, really.

Best bet is to crack open the radio, find out the antenna lead and then connect
the antenna to that. (I'm guessing it'll be a wire wrapped around the power
chord some place inside the radio, it's quite doubtful to me anyhow.. that
they'll connect straight to the AC line)

Chances are, if you do that, it'll only inprove FM reception. I've never heard
of such a device used as the AM antenna.

For "improved" AM reception (improved in quotes, because this may and probably
will actually worsen it..)

I've wrapped wire around the ferrite rod, grounded one end and then use the other end
of the wire as an antenna. Theory being.. find a way to inject a signal into
the ferrite.

In practice: Improved reception at the cost of having some strange tuning,
hearing strong shortwave stations all across the dial. Fortunately, this can
easily be undone if it's a problem (and you're careful with the wires)

These are cheap tricks I've used in other various places.. of course.. the best
bet is to find a "real" radio. :-) (I'd imagine if they did the antenna-via-powerline
approach, they probably designed the radio circuitry as cheap as possible)

Jamie
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