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Reception in the hills [message #69638] Wed, 28 September 2011 23:29 Go to next message
brian21 is currently offline  brian21
Messages: 59
Registered: January 2011
Baron
I grew up in a town where most of the major freeways went through hills. Naturally, the radio reception there was usually pretty terrible. I've always wondered if there was any way to improve reception when you're traveling through an area with those obstacles. Is it just something you have to live with when you're surrounded by hills?
Re: Reception in the hills [message #69643 is a reply to message #69638] Thu, 29 September 2011 10:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18787
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

There's an old-school loop antenna called "Select-A-Tenna" that works wonders for AM. Can't help you with FM though.

Re: Reception in the hills [message #69650 is a reply to message #69643] Fri, 30 September 2011 10:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gofar99 is currently offline  gofar99
Messages: 1949
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, Here is a photo of one. Mine is from a long time back and only cost $5 at a thrift shop. I believe "Crane" still carries them.index.php?t=getfile&id=605&private=0

Good Listening
Bruce
Re: Reception in the hills [message #69653 is a reply to message #69650] Fri, 30 September 2011 19:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18787
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Yes sir-ree! I have one just like it. Used to listen to WOAI out of San Antonio with it every night, about 15 years ago. They had a program I wanted to hear, and it wasn't available locally. The distance from San Antonio to Tulsa is about 500 miles, but with that passive loop antenna, it sounded like they were a local station.

Re: Reception in the hills [message #69666 is a reply to message #69653] Sun, 02 October 2011 09:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Nymeria is currently offline  Nymeria
Messages: 508
Registered: April 2011
Illuminati (1st Degree)
That's very interesting; I'd never heard of Select-A-Tenna before, but then I never listen to AM anyway, only FM. Whenever I drive through areas with hills, I listen to CDs.
Re: Reception in the hills [message #69683 is a reply to message #69638] Mon, 03 October 2011 11:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DJ Dave is currently offline  DJ Dave
Messages: 111
Registered: October 2010
Viscount
I would think that with stronger satellites that we have, you should have better reception, but I suppose it is all about how far in the hills you live.
Re: Reception in the hills [message #69688 is a reply to message #69638] Tue, 04 October 2011 00:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
brian21 is currently offline  brian21
Messages: 59
Registered: January 2011
Baron
DJ Dave, I would think that you're right. I'm sure reception has improved, but there will probably always be some limits.

That Select-A-Tenna looks really cool, but FM is what I always had a problem with. The local AM stations weren't too bad. When I'm visiting my old home town, I always hope I'll be driving in late at night. Then at least I know I'll be able to catch Coast to Coast AM. Razz
Re: Reception in the hills [message #76211 is a reply to message #69643] Sat, 06 April 2013 04:00 Go to previous message
Danny is currently offline  Danny
Messages: 195
Registered: September 2010
Master
So does that mean that AM satellites are stronger than FM? I never knew that. If that's the case, why aren't there better stations available on AM radio?
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