AM radio reception

Stonecove · Nov 13, 2011

I normally listen to a local AM station along with WJR in Detroit which is very powerful and WSPD in Toledo which has always been marginal. Within the last few months, I can no longer listen to Toledo (40 miles) as there is such static. I am getting the same static when tuning to WJR in Detroit (65 miles). Even my local station is very "staticky". I tried to move my Bose Radio to get better reception, but no luck. My CC Radio is usually my "go to" when I really need to listen to something, and that radio is very much static. I just checked my car and it get's the stations just fine as long as I am away from the house, so this tells me the interference is from inside the house. Any ideas how to find and eliminate the cause?
Thanks,
Stonecove

Stevie · Nov 13, 2011

Wireless router?

jlanecole · Nov 13, 2011

Electromagnetic government surveillance beams?

mstuhr · Nov 13, 2011

Dang curly looking light bulbs!

Howdy,
I have found that those florescent, curly looking light bulbs wreck my reception.
I have removed them from the two rooms where I listen to my radio.
Hope this helps
Mike

ArcticFox · Nov 13, 2011

I can't have the AM radio in the same room as the DVR when the TV is on...

Stonecove · Nov 13, 2011

I have no curly lightbulbs in the house, and have tested reception with the mud room florescent running and when off (no difference) and I don't have a wireless router. All good ideas though!
Could staticy phone lines be the cause? I am having static in them now that I think of it?
Thanks,
Stonecove

diamonback68 · Nov 13, 2011

Other posibility is someone has cranked up a ham or citizens band radio in you neighborhood. It happened to me, but now he'e gone.

Fishslayer · Nov 13, 2011

Power lines can interfere with AM reception. I don't know what the solution would be.

Here's something I found.

C. Crane Company - AM Antennas - Toll Free (800) 522-8863 AM Antennas

diamonback68 said:
Other posibility is someone has cranked up a ham or citizens band radio in you neighborhood. It happened to me, but now he'e gone.

Remind me never to mess with your radio!

adowns · Nov 13, 2011

I also think it's the new kind of light bulbs. For me AM is nothing but noise near the new kind of bulb, perfectly quiet with old style bulb.

ChattanoogaPhil · Nov 13, 2011

WSPD Toledo, OH is coming in loud and clear down here in Chattanooga.... streaming

. I gave up on over the air radio at home a long time ago. Besides computer, I also use Grace radio for streaming any radio programing on Earth.

BaldEagle1313 · Nov 13, 2011

I know my AM reception gets more static if I have the TV or computer on in the same room. My external hard-drive spooling up really makes it bad.

Check space.com to see if there's been recent solar flare activity. It could happen.

Reloader · Nov 13, 2011

Quit blaming hams every time you turn around. If it is them, tell them and they will help you locate the interference and help you suppress/eliminate it. Sounds to me it could be
1. transformer on power lines leaking.
2. Thunderstorms up to 500 miles away.
3. most rfi is in your house. Start by switching off at braeker box one at at a tiem. If still there, it is outside your house. By7 the way, hams, by law, have to ensure they are not interfering with your devices, AM radio. FCC frown and will fine on these if reported.
KE5LDO.

oldafsp · Nov 13, 2011

jlanecole said:
Electromagnetic government surveillance beams?

I was walking home one day and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo....in Morse Code.

Stonecove · Nov 13, 2011

Hey Fishslayer, good information on the C Crane website. Thanks.
And ChattanoogaPhil, I never heard of Grace Radio. I need to get one of those!
Thanks all!
Stonecove

GatorFarmer · Nov 13, 2011

Next time you are at Walgreens, pick up one of the little Sony AM/FM radios that they sell (ICFS10MK2). It will cost you about ten or twelve dollars.See how that works for you. If it doesn't work well, take it outside and make sure you can get a given station. Then take it back in and try - by moving it around - to determine what area or areas of your house might be causing any interference.

ChattanoogaPhil · Nov 15, 2011

This is the Grace radio I've had for a couple years. Just plug it in... good to go. Preset stations and all just like any other radio absent the static

. Very nice quality sound unlike a typical nightstand radio. Though, you do need a wireless router.

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nogoodnamesleft · Nov 15, 2011

Also consider ballasts in your T12/T8 or T5 fixtures should you have them.

Rule 303 · Nov 15, 2011

Solar Flares, lots of great big Solar Flares lately.

Jungle Work

truckemup97 · Nov 15, 2011

Rule 303 said:
Solar Flares, lots of great big Solar Flares lately.

Jungle Work

That would be my guess, too. We went through a few years of very little solar activity and now it's cranked back up, which may explain your recent inability to bring in the AM stations.

JamesArthur60 · Nov 15, 2011

Maybe your Bose is the problem. My Bose AM reception was poor. My brother who worked in radio told me of a better radio. I purchased one and my AM reception is much clearer. Here's what I bought: Tivoli Audio - Model One® Radio - Table Radios - Products

AM radio reception

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