Need better AM radio reception

[razcob]

I live in a rural area, and seem to live on the fringe of the most powerful AM radio stations. I receive the stations but they are weak and distorted and would like to improve the reception, or buy another radio. I have attached a long copper wire to the antenna base and have increased the clarity of the FM channels. Any suggestions for better AM reception?

 

[bladefixation2]

The first thing to look at is the radio manual. For AM reception a lot of radios have an internal ferrite rod antenna. If yours does and you can switch between the internal ferrite rod and the external antenna connector then you can use an external antenna to improve reception, if not then you cant.

If you cant switch then the best you can do is rotate the radio when youre listening to AM to try and improve the signal (ferrite rod antennas are directional)

If you can turn over to the external antenna then a long bit of wire can be the simplest way of improving the reception. If there is a particular frequency you are interested in then you can make an antenna optimised for that frequency by making it a quarter of the length of the wavelength of the frequency youre looking to receive.

Other options are to go for a large wide frequency antenna and mount it high up (say on a mast on your chimney or in your loft) something like a discone antenna covers a lot of frequencies, or even a general purpose dipole. the important thing if you buy an external antenna is to make sure it will receive the frequencies you are interested in. Some antennas are made to receive a specific band of frequencies (eg HAM radio) and even though they are large external antennas they wont work particularly well on other frequencies.

 

[tonyccw]

My buddy uses this in his hunting lodge: http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/a102.html

Works well enough for Upstate NY.

 

[DaveH]

Look for something called a GE superadio III, purpose built for AM reception. You might have to getone from a specialty radio supplier like grove.

 

[mete]

For indoor antennas you might check www.ccrane.com For outdoors you could string a wire ,mine is 25 yds at 15' above ground. You could get a better radio. Propagation goes in 11 year cycles and we are aT the low point now .The effect on Ham radio is great but it also effects AM broadcast too !

 

[bladefixation2]

My buddy uses this in his hunting lodge: http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/a102.html

Works well enough for Upstate NY.

Neat, looks like some sort of adjustable tuned loop antenna. I hear you can make a loop antenna fairly easily, although I've never done it