If you are asking how to improve radio reception with a wire antenna, let me tell you there are several ways. The most common and effective ways are positioning the radio higher and connecting an FM antenna.
But that’s not just it. You need to know much more about your stereo bud if you want the best reception. Factors like, where you are situated, resistance in your area, and other stuff also matter in radio reception.
In this article, I’ll explain to you the 5 best ways to improve your radio reception. Besides, if you stick around to the end there are some pro tips eagerly waiting for you.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Reasons Why You May Get A Poor Antenna Reception
In general, you may think if radio reception is bad it is because of the antenna. But not necessarily it has to be true always. There could be many reasons why you may get poor antenna reception.
For instance, you’ll get poor reception if you live too far from an FM radio broadcasting station. Living too near can also bring you unacceptable signal reception as the signal strength is enough to overpower your radio.
Other material stuff like building materials, concrete, aluminum, tall trees or buildings can also play the role of resistance in delivering stronger signal reception.
Radio signals are delivered well uninterrupted in a flat straight line. So, when there is such big resistance it can’t perform well. In the case of tall buildings, the signals may bounce and you’ll be left with static reception.
I guess with this explanation you understand the basics of why you are receiving poor radio reception. So, let’s focus on the bigger picture now.
5 Ways To Improve Radio Reception With Wire Antenna
Improving your radio reception can be very easy but tricky. You have to understand the issue first and then find a way to solve it. You know just slapping your stereo continuously won’t bring you good reception.
Here are the 5 best ways anyone can do to improve radio reception.
- Change The Positioning Of The Stereo System
Repositioning the radio most easily and simply to get good reception. Sometimes it brings the best results too. Often your radio antenna and the stereo system are both in good condition but you get static sounds from it.
The reason behind it may be your location. Sometimes radio signals cannot make their way through the radio in a certain room. So, you can try to move the stereo around and find the best spot.
It may get the best signal in another room. Or often it gets the best signals in the same room but when situated higher. Place your antenna somewhere high and see the reception changing.
- Use Speaker Wire
Many older antennas have 300 ohms screws in the back for connection. They are different from the 75-ohm coaxial cable connection. If your stereo has the older version you can use speaker wires. You have to disconnect the screw terminals and connect a speaker wire.
It may sound illogical but speaker wires actually help in good radio reception. You have to cut this insulated twisted copper wire 6 feet long, connect it to the stereo and you are good to go.
After connecting it, turn on the radio, move the wire around somewhere high, and notice the reception. Once you find the perfect spot and there is no more static sound, secure the wire and stereo settings there. This works like a dipole antenna.
Let me tell you there are dipole antennas you can find online for improved radio reception. They are basically long cables cut in a dipole antenna ready for you to connect and go.
- Install Rabbit Ears Antenna
FM radio stations usually come in RF channel 6, categorized in VHF (Very High Frequency) signal. So you need an expert antenna in delivering vhf especially low VHF channels smoothly.
Rabbit ears antennas are the best example of this. They are even created especially for low vhf RF (Radio Frequency) channels.
So, installing a rabbit ears antenna above your stereo may quickly solve the bad radio reception issue.
- Get Indoor Antenna
If you have a built-in antenna in your stereo system, fixing it would probably be a little difficult. In this case, the antenna is inside the stereo system, so you can’t practically see it from the outside.
To fix it you have to remove the whole cover and do stuff. It’s better not to do that. Instead, you can tape on a bit of speaker wire or get an indoor TV antenna. Make sure the indoor TV antenna has low VHF capability.
Because it is ultimately what you need. You can also go for specialized FM antennas in this case.
- Dedicated FMA Outdoor Antenna
If nothing works for you, get an outdoor antenna. Thankfully you can use your outdoor TV antenna for your radio reception as well. But you have to make sure there is no preamp with an FM trap or FM filter built into your antenna.
Otherwise, it will block the FM signals and ultimately you will be left out with no radio signals in your stereo. You can also go for dedicated FM antennas. Directional antenna and omnidirectional antenna both types of an antenna can both work great.
In the case of omnidirectional ones, you have to install it higher as the gain in it isn’t that much wide. And you need a wide gain for proper radio reception. Directional antenna already has the gain for it so you don’t need to worry about it.
Things To Keep In Mind While Working With FM Reception
The reasons I talked about earlier surely can cause poor reception. But here is another thing that most people don’t know. It is the tuner of your radio that can indeed affect your radio reception. The sensitivity of the tuner matters a lot.
So, try out several tuners before you stick to one to get the best of it. Try them and see which suits the best. The best part is they come really cheap so anyone can afford the best tuner.
Besides, your radio reception can be bad because of electrical interference. So, try to avoid using electrical items near the radio. Moreover, sharing the same antenna for two radios can also provoke signal reception.
Keep these things in mind and then sort out your issues.
Wrapping Up
I guess this write-up on how to improve radio reception with a wire antenna has hooked you. Now it’s your time to try out the tricks in practicality. Let me know in the comment section below which one you tried and how it worked for you.
