Help with clock radio
"carole" said:
I'm pretty sure this is a question that you all have had to hear
before, but I am at a loss, after much searching on the web, looking in
stores, etc.
Any solutions (in layperson terms, please) for a clock radio with the
antenna in the electric cord and no opening to an antenna hookup
otherwise? I cannot get my favorite AM wakeup station on my new clock
radio, which I love otherwise (it charges my iPod even, but is no good
if it doesn't get this station...).
The problem with many of those radios is that AM reception is to be
regarded as a gift; it works, but no more than that.
There's a ferrite antenna inside, you could try to turn some windings
of thin, insulated copper wite around it, connect one end to a wire
antenna, and the other end to a ground (waterpipe, NOT the safety
ground from your mains outlet! ).
The wire antenna should be at least a couple of meters long, and
preferably, be hung outside of the house.
Sometimes this helps in getting more AM stations in.
However, there's a chance of getting more static noise coming along
with it.
This is the only simple way I could think of trying, without
converting the thing in a more selective and sensitive AM receiver.
If you don't trust yourself with this (I assume it is mains-powered,
so take precautions to only open it with the power cord disconnected,
and to insulate every connection you make), you can ask an older,
experienced service tech in your vicinity to do it for you.
The young guys don't know this, all they can do nowadays is swapping
boards or update the software until it works ;-)
An even better idea might be to look around for an old HAM operator,
they're usually easy to find if you look up the roof and find massive
antenna constructions there ;-)
Good luck, and don't do anything inside the radio if you're not
entirely confident about your technical skills!
Last warning: MAINS VOLTAGES ARE LETHAL! TAKE CARE!!!
--
"Due knot trussed yore spell chequer two fined awl miss steaks."
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