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Author Topic: Improving DAB Radio Reception  (Read 21726 times)

Offline GillE

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Improving DAB Radio Reception
« on: August 03, 2011, 15:02 »
I have an old DAB radio which can receive all the stations I want to hear with no problem.  I've also got a newer DAB radio which cannot receive all the stations I want hear, even when it is placed in the same location as the old one.  However, I want to use the newer radio because it has other accessories such as an iPod dock, CD player and USB/card input.

The principle difference between the two radios that I can see is the old one has a 'proper' extendible and multidirectional aerial whereas the newer one just has a bit of wire sticking out its back.  Is there any way to improve the newer radio so that I can receive more stations?
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Offline Clive

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2011, 15:09 »
Not a very elegant solution Gill, but try extending the aerial by adding more wire.  In the olden days that was normal practice for picking up Radio Luxembourg.  8-)

Offline Simon

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2011, 15:50 »
I also have two like that, Gill, and find the same problems, but as long as they can both pick up Radio 2 and Planet Rock, I'm happy.  :)
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Offline sam

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2011, 17:36 »
some of these docs do come with a little and quite often well hidden port to  attach and aerial too. What is the make?
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Offline GillE

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2011, 18:06 »
It's an Hitachi AXM209UK Slim DAB Micro System with docking for iPod.  I've got the instruction manual in front of me and I can't see another aerial socket on the parts diagram, nor can I see one on the actual radio itself.
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Offline Simon

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2011, 19:02 »
Why is it an Hitachi, but a hospital?  :dunno:
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Offline Clive

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2011, 20:13 »
Damn phone.   ;D

Offline Clive

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2011, 20:44 »
The other inelegant solution Gill is to attach the tiny aerial tail to an aluminium dish (that's why they invented blu-tak) and that will act as a satellite dish and amplify the signal.  Sadly these techniques really do work so there is no excuse to take a sledgehammer to the thing and smash it into tiny pieces.  8-)     

Offline sam

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2011, 22:16 »
maybe there is some interference from the power supply, bet it was put in some silly place.. like next to the antenna.
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Offline Simon

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2011, 22:54 »
Damn phone.   ;D

No, it was a serious grammar question.  ;D  They both begin with H, so why AN Hitachi, not A Hitachi? 
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Offline Clive

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2011, 22:57 »
Oh I see what you mean.  Good question.  :laugh:

Offline GillE

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2011, 23:13 »
'H' is pronounced 'Aitch'.  Cue Pedants Corner  ;D .
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Offline Simon

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2011, 23:24 »
That wasn't the question.  ;)  It's to do with the pronoun (?).  You say "She's had a hysterectomy", not AN hysterectomy.  You say, "It's AN honour", not a honour, but that's presumably because the 'Aitch' is silent.  So, I'm not saying it's incorrect, but why AN Hitachi, not A Hitachi, and why A hospital, not AN hospital?   This will keep me awake tonight!   :bawl:
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Offline sam

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #13 on: August 04, 2011, 07:00 »
I think I'd say an eventhough its probably wrong. I think I mix between the two with the 'aitch'
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Offline Rik

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Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2011, 10:24 »
It's called English, Simon, it has a lot of quirks. Usually, the a/an, is based on the sound of the first syllable of the word it precedes. It should be an hotel, though, for example.
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