PC Pals Forum
Technical Help & Discussion => AV Lounge => Topic started by: GillE on August 03, 2011, 15:02
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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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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-)
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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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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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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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Why is it an Hitachi, but a hospital? :dunno:
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Damn phone. ;D
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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-)
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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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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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Oh I see what you mean. Good question. :laugh:
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'H' is pronounced 'Aitch'. Cue Pedants Corner ;D .
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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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I think I'd say an eventhough its probably wrong. I think I mix between the two with the 'aitch'
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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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:crazy:
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Indeed!
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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.
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Sounds like a great plan.
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;D
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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: .
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Think of it as a hot chisel, Gill. ;)
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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:
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Of course, you are missing the point about frequency usage, Clive. The aerial length needs to relate to the broadcast frequency.
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Yes, I know. We haven't come to an agreement yet though! Plenty of time to get technical. :laugh:
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;D
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This could get interesting! :)
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Especially for Gill. ;D
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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.
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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
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:laugh:
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I might tie the end around a metal coat hanger :dunno: .
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:laugh:
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That should work quite well. It was standard practice for seventies cars. ;D
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I had one on my Ford Capri! ;D
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Isle bet. ;D
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Bit early. Was only 13 then. ;)
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;D
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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.
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:lol:
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Use the aluminium tray as well and you can store fresh herbs in it too.
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Or go sledging.
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You only need to be able to speak to do that. :)
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Yep.