Radio reception question?

Doc

I am trying to set up an older stereo system (a 1960s or 70s era Magnavox receiver with two separate speakers) in my computer room. Reception is awful unless I put my hand on the antenna. It's a short plastic tube mounted on the back and rotates up and down but no matter where I set it I get static and crackling unless I touch it and then the sound is perfect.

I can't really keep my hand on it all the time. Can I do anything else?

tacking1

find someone to give you a break every once in a while

tacking1

there used to be some frequency amplifiers available at you local radio shack. I used one in college and it seemed to help.

hughbetcha

Make sure the system is grounded or plugged into a grounded outlet. Take some speaker wire and wrap it around the plastic tube and tape it up with electrical tape. Then run the wire up to the ceiling and along the wall for a few feet

tacking1

quote:Originally posted by hughbetcha
Make sure the system is grounded or plugged into a grounded outlet. Take some speaker wire and wrap it around the plastic tube and tape it up with electrical tape. Then run the wire up to the ceiling and along the wall for a few feet


then get some aluminium foil.....

Doc

I was thinking that maybe the antenna is inadequate and when I touch it my body becomes a bigger antenna improving reception. Does that sound possible? I am no eletronics whiz, obviously.

I remember the trick with the wire taped to the wall. I'll look for secondary antenna connection or try wrapping the wire around the existing unit.

hughbetcha

Could be that the static/noise is caused by "static" electricity and your body helps bleed off the static electricity before it gets to the amplifier.

Doc

It has attaching points for a wire antenna (am I spelling that right?) and I dug around in my box of wires and connectors and found one. It works OK, now.

Although still not quite as good as when I touch it. Does this mean I am a good conductor, or something?

bondai

http://www.smarthome.com/searchweb.asp?q=antenna

zipperzap

When it comes to radio gear and all that goes with it - I always
end up at http://www.ccrane.com/

Good stuff all the way around - from radios to gadgets![:D]

He Dog

Wear the aluminum foil hat while holding the antenna and you will receive television signals from the 60s and Judge Dredd

kristov

quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
It has attaching points for a wire antenna (am I spelling that right?) and I dug around in my box of wires and connectors and found one. It works OK, now.

Although still not quite as good as when I touch it. Does this mean I am a good conductor, or something?


Your body has capacitance, which is the ability to hold electrons, so when you grasp the antenna (if you are grounded) your body is acting as the antenna, which may be a large antenna depending on your size. Keep your antenna away from large metal objects, A/C ducts, metal sideing, and the speakers since their magnets can really screw up your reception. Running an antenna lead up to the roof or even out a window usually solves most reception problems.