Reception Tips

RECEPTION ON THE MOVE

FM radio is just like television. For the best results, your receiver needs a proper antenna. Often, listeners tell us they get their best reception in a moving vehicle. The reason for this is that all vehicles leave the factory with a correctly installed antenna system in them.

If you have an older vehicle with a traditional stick antenna, these usually work well. A bent or broken antenna mast can easily be replaced. Newer cars with wire antennas in the rear window or “tomahawk” antennas on the roof work well too, but they rely on a booster amplifier as part of the system. If you have one of these antennas and your radio seems less sensitive than it used to, the booster has either failed or is failing. It will need to be replaced in order to restore your reception to its previous level.

RECEPTION AT HOME OR IN THE OFFICE

Again, FM radio is just like television. If you get your TV off the air and you need an outdoor antenna for good reception, you are likely to need it for FM as well. Frankly, in any installation, an outdoor, chimney or roof mounted antenna will give you the best results by far. Often, an outdoor antenna is the only solution for steel buildings, mobile homes and homes with metal roofs as these tend to shield radio signals out. An outdoor antenna mounted slightly above roof level will solve the problem or low signal strength inside.

If you live in an apartment or have a radio that will not accept a feed from an outdoor antenna, you are stuck with indoor or built-in antennas. These can be small plastic squares, whip antenna masts on portable sets, a simple length or wire, a connector that turns the AC line cord into an antenna, or a wire T-shaped dipole. The wires should be stretched out rather than bunched up, oriented for best reception and then taped in place. Whip antennas on portables can usually be rotated around and/or the set moved for best reception. Usually, signal strength can be improved by placing the antenna or entire set in a window, since glass is electrically transparent, but a single layer of asphalt roof shingles can reduce signal strength inside the house by up to 50%. The effective range of even the best indoor antenna system will usually be only one-third to one-half the distance of an outdoor antenna or reception in a vehicle.

YOUR RECEPTION

If after this, you are still having problems, tell us about them using the contact form here on the website. We will make every attempt to advise you on how to get better reception at your specific location. This service is free to listeners who inquire.

A conventional AM/FM radio remains one of the greatest values in entertainment. In our market, at most locations, over 70 different station choices can be received on radios that initially cost less than $100.00. And the receiver is the entire investment- there are never any subscription fees with over-the-air radio. Free, local radio is targeted specifically at our community’s preferences and offers a wealth of entertainment and informational choices as well as local emergency information- weather related and otherwise- 24/7/365.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING CLASSIC COUNTRY 105.9 & 106.7 PART OF YOUR REGULAR LISTENING HABITS. WE APPRECIATE IT!