Radio Reception

[bainbrig]

Round here (a valley, lined with tall poplars), radio reception is inconsistent.

There seem only two ways round this. One: a 50 foot aerial (impractical and possibly illegal). Two: using cable TV signal (which I do).

Are there any alternatives where I end up with excellent reception?

Ta.BillB (no, I’m not moving!)

[Buenchico]

Very few modern radios have a socket for connecting an external aerial. If yours happens to be such a model though then using a decent directional aerial, mounted externally and as high as possible, might well solve your problem.

On the VHF FM band, rather than with DAB signals, it could also be worth checking whether you're actually trying the best frequencies for your location. (In the small Suffolk town I live in you need to tune a radio into the Tacolneston transmitter in Norfolk at one end of the High Street but to the Manningtree transmitter in Essex at the other end of the High Street).

If you're currently only using FM signals it might be worth trying DAB. (DAB transmitters are often at different locations to FM ones).

Other than that though, you're left with using other devices, such a your cable TV. Your computer, of course, can also be used to receive almost every radio station in the world. (I use my computer for several hours each day to listen to radio programmes). Alternatively, if you want to get access to thousands of radio stations through your modem, but don't want to have your computer involved in the process, you could buy an internet radio.

[alavahalf]

Sometimes I want to use my tablet at home and at the same time listen to music.
Using an old smart phone connected via the wifi connection to my router, I can connect to 'almost any internet radio station in the world' using the phones browser.
All you need is a bluetooth speaker which you link too - via your phone ..
No need to turn your computer on.
So all you need .. is an internet connection .. any old
smartphone and a bluetooth speaker.
Go along to Currys etc and ask for a speaker demonstration .. you will be amazed !
This is the only way I play music at home, it frees up my tablet and utilizes an old phone that became redundant when an upgrade arrived.

[bainbrig]

Can you expand on an ‘internet radio’?

Currently I pay about £14 a month for a dedicated Virgin cable box for (a) its unrivalled reception and (b) the fact that I can preprogramme anything.

But a simplified system does appeal.

BB

[alavahalf]

Have a look at this link .. it explains it far better than I can ..

https://www.argos.co.uk/static/BuyingGuide/bgTrail/dab_00066.htm

[melv16]

You could try to connect the aerial to a central heating pipe. It's got to be a bare wire connected to an unpainted pipe or valve.
This has worked for me in the past.

[Buenchico]

An internet radio is like an ordinary radio set in that it can (with most models) receive both FM and DAB stations via its aerial. However it can also connect over your WiFi to your router in order to make use of its built-in app, so that you can choose from (typically) around 20,000 radio stations from around the world. Search Amazon for 'Internet radio' to see what's available. Prices start from around £45 but I note that some of the excellent Roberts range, such as the Stream 107, are currently on offer for just under £100 (which is a third less than list price).

[bainbrig]

Thanks alava. Minefield, ain’t it? I want to go to a shop and buy a fancy radio set with internet connection. Not the way, is it.

I suppose it’s because non-commercial radio is so unimportant in the scheme of things.

[Zacs-Master]

Do you have a smartphone?

[bhg481]

Most internet radios have FM and DAB/DAB+ as well and cost about the same as other radios; they can usually be connected either wirelessly or via cable to your router, so very flexible. Have a look on John Lewis website for prices etc.
We've had a Robert's Stream for a few years now - excellent.

[bainbrig]

I’ll have a look, bhg, ta.

[bainbrig]

I suppose the fact that I only ever listen to R4, R4-extra, and the World Service of the BBC makes everything a bit easier.

The cable service I use fits the bill, but is obviously ott in terms of expense, and a bit cumbersome.

Hence my constant search for something equally good (programmable, high quality) but simpler.

Not sure any smart phone lash-up does it, but I’m ready to be convinced.

BB

[DTCwordfan]

Did FM and AM collapse in the South-West yesterday around midday? How can one find out.....?

[ChillDoubt]

Can’t you put a radio app onto your smartphone?

I use my iPod in a dock and an app for listening to Test Match Special

[Buenchico]

What's your TV reception like, BB? If you can get Freeview (instead of using a cable service) all of the stations you want are available on your TV anyway. Channel numbers here:
http://www.stevelarkins.freeuk.com/Freeview_digital_radio.htm

Alternatively, if you installed a satellite dish and a Freesat set-top box, you'd get all of the channels listed here without paying a subscription:
https://www.freesat.co.uk/whats/full-channel-list/
(Click 'Radio', near to the top right of the page, to see the radio channels available via Freesat).

Also, what type of TV have you got? If it's a 'smart' TV it might have an app built into it to allow you to receive stations from around the world (including your favourite ones) via your router.

If your TV isn't 'smart' (or it is but it hasn't got a suitable app) you can buy a Now TV box for around £15 to make it 'smart'. Although Sky (who are the people behing Now TV) would love you to use their pay services with the box, it's not compulsory and the apps on the box (including the one that gives you access to thousands of stations from around the world) will still work without further payment.

As an aside, given the type of channels you like listening to, you might be interested in this website, where I listen to programmes like The Men From The Ministry, The Goon Show, Hancock's Half Hour, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, Beyond Our Ken, Round The Horne, etc every day. (I'll be listening to The Navy Lark in just a few minutes from now):
http://rokradio.com/

[bainbrig]

Buenchico.

Well, TV reception is ace, because I have another dedicated set-top box, for cable TV. We tried Freeview, even buying a better/more modern aerial, but the aerial reception is dodgy - trees and valley.

Satellite is worth investigating, although living in a groundfloor flat with restrictive covenants, we got away with an aerial, but few neighbours get away with satellite dishes on roofs round here - a good thing too in many ways. But I shall investigate that one further.

Smart TV (Samsung, although 5 or 6 years old now - it is internet connected). Don’t think it has a built-in app for that, but again I’ll have a look.

And rokradio sounds just my cup of tea…


Thanks for the efforts.


BillB