Radio Reception Problems

[jmft]

Hello. I'm wondering if anyone can give me advice about enhancing the radio reception I get at my home. I live in the Montgomery Village area of S.R. and don't get NPR or KPFA in my home. I do get reception in my car when in my driveway. Any ideas on the best way to solve this problem?

Thanks, Jason

[Barry]

Try tuning in KRCB on their alternate frequency of 90.9 and KQED's alternate frequency of 88.3. Or tune in on the web at https://www.KRCB.org, https://www.kqed.org and https://www.KPFA.org


Hello. I'm wondering if anyone can give me advice about enhancing the radio reception I get at my home. I live in the Montgomery Village area of S.R. and don't get NPR or KPFA in my home. I do get reception in my car when in my driveway. Any ideas on the best way to solve this problem?

Thanks, Jason

[Karl Frederick]

Jason, it sounds as if you need to increase the signal strength available to your radio. The first step is to try the lowest cost approach -- a different antenna. Try using a dipole you can make very simply from 300 Ohm twinlead, or an old VHF TV "rabbit ear" antenna. Vary the placement and orientation. Height often helps.

Do you have a portable radio that you can use to scout out the best locations for reception?

Is the signal being blocked by some large metallic structure -- like a heating unit?

If the simple antenna doesn't work, a highly directional antenna, like the multi-element "yagi" style TV antennas used in fringe reception areas, may be required if your signal level is very low. This kind of antenna needs to be re-aimed to optimize the signal for each station.

Good luck!

[naked.harry]

I was always bummed by the difficulty in recieving KPFA until I purchased a SANSA mp3 player with a built in FM radio. It seems to get great reception no matter where I am, for KPFA.


Hello. I'm wondering if anyone can give me advice about enhancing the radio reception I get at my home. I live in the Montgomery Village area of S.R. and don't get NPR or KPFA in my home. I do get reception in my car when in my driveway. Any ideas on the best way to solve this problem?

Thanks, Jason