PC Pals Forum

Technical Help & Discussion => AV Lounge => Topic started by: GillE on August 03, 2011, 15:02

Title: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: GillE 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?
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive 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-)
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon 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.  :)
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: sam 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?
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: GillE 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.
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 03, 2011, 19:02
Why is it an Hitachi, but a hospital?  :dunno:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 03, 2011, 20:13
Damn phone.   ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive 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-)     
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: sam 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.
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon 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? 
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 03, 2011, 22:57
Oh I see what you mean.  Good question.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: GillE on August 03, 2011, 23:13
'H' is pronounced 'Aitch'.  Cue Pedants Corner  ;D .
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon 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:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: sam 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'
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Rik 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.
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: sam on August 04, 2011, 10:50
 :crazy:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 04, 2011, 11:22
Indeed!
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 04, 2011, 14:33
We still haven't opened up Gill's radio and modified the aerial using a soldering iron.  It needs to be extended by one means or another and nobody has yet commented on my previous suggestions which are both quite sound.
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: sam on August 04, 2011, 15:51
Sounds like a great plan.
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 04, 2011, 17:00
 ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: GillE on August 04, 2011, 17:11
We still haven't opened up Gill's radio and modified the aerial using a soldering iron.

Gulp!  That sounds drastic.  I don't have a soldering iron and wouldn't know how to use one :nerves: .
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Rik on August 04, 2011, 17:12
Think of it as a hot chisel, Gill. ;)
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 04, 2011, 17:40
It's easier than you think Gill but even standing the radio in an aluminium tray should improve the reception.  Wrapping your "pigs tail" aerial onto a length of wire will further improve the signal.  I used to string an aerial all the way down to the bottom of the garden (using the line post) when I was a kid and that enabled me to pick up radio stations in Buffalo New York and beyond.   8-)  Nerds such as myself would then write to the station and tell them what they were playing at a particular time and they would post a Q card to confirm the station was picked up.  Q cards were highly prized possessions.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Rik on August 04, 2011, 17:48
Of course, you are missing the point about frequency usage, Clive. The aerial length needs to relate to the broadcast frequency.
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 04, 2011, 18:12
Yes, I know.  We haven't come to an agreement yet though!  Plenty of time to get technical.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Rik on August 04, 2011, 18:28
 ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 04, 2011, 19:15
This could get interesting!  :)
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 04, 2011, 20:42
Especially for Gill.   ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: sam on August 04, 2011, 22:15
Don't make me go all radio astrophysicist on ya'll (I had a meeting today on how to build 200,000 perfect dipole antennas - they having a laugh and I'll have to fix with software). I agree with clives tray idea. Will work as a nice ground plate too.
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 04, 2011, 22:20
So let me get this clear in my head... Gill has to build 200,000 perfect dipole antennas in order to get her radio to work?   ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 04, 2011, 22:29
 :laugh:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: GillE on August 05, 2011, 01:17
I might tie the end around a metal coat hanger  :dunno: .
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Rik on August 05, 2011, 10:02
 :laugh:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 05, 2011, 10:23
That should work quite well.  It was standard practice for seventies cars.   ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 05, 2011, 10:47
I had one on my Ford Capri!  ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Rik on August 05, 2011, 10:56
Isle bet.  ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 05, 2011, 11:18
Bit early.  Was only 13 then.  ;)
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Rik on August 05, 2011, 11:21
 ;D
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: GillE on August 05, 2011, 13:04
It works  :) !

The reception is weak so I will probably lose the signal now and then, but the metal coat hanger solution is working fine at the moment.
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 05, 2011, 13:05
:lol:
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Clive on August 05, 2011, 14:02
Use the aluminium tray as well and you can store fresh herbs in it too. 
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Simon on August 05, 2011, 15:38
Or go sledging. 
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: Rik on August 05, 2011, 16:45
You only need to be able to speak to do that. :)
Title: Re: Improving DAB Radio Reception
Post by: sam on August 08, 2011, 10:46
Yep.