OT Why does my home FM radio insist I stay close?

blue_tractor_man · Sep 9, 2017

This morning I was trying to tune in my kitchen radio to WEVL Memphis to listen to the Bluegrass show. My place is about 15 miles north of Memphis, so our radio and TV can be spotty. As long as I stand next to, or hold the radio in my hands, the FM reception is great. If I set the radio down and walk away, it gets fuzzy. I have tried moving the radio around the room and putting it in the window. As soon as I walk away-fuzzy again. I noticed this morning that if I put the radio on its back-speakers up, it was better.
Anyway, what causes this phenomenom? I know the walls are full of wires radiating 60 Hertz waves. Does thus affect FM? It does not matter what side of the radio I stand on, close makes the static go away.
I know this is a little off tractor topic, but I figured with all of the engineers reading someone would have an answer.
Thanks in advance.

MarkB_MI · Sep 9, 2017

Your body serves as a passive antenna. It picks up the FM waves and re-radiates them.

fixerupper · Sep 9, 2017

FM waves act in strange ways. We had a big cottonwood tree on the creek bank that would fade out the FM radio in the tractor cab every time I passed by. That's not so surprising in itself, but what was strange about it was the station I was listening to was coming from the opposite direction of the tree. The tree was on my south and the FM signal was coming from the north. I never could figure that one out.

BarnyardEngineering · Sep 9, 2017

Yup, just an indication that the signal isn't strong enough for the radio's own antenna, and/or it needs a larger antenna.

If the radio has an external metal antenna, you could test the theory by taping a metal coat hangar to the end of the antenna to increase its size. Totally redneck, but it will prove the theory.

RayP(MI) · Sep 9, 2017

Look at a ham radio antenna, or remember the old CB antennas? Several elemants supported by a cross mast. Each of those elements served to concentrate the radio signal at the one element the signal was actually taken to the radio. In your case, your body is one of those secondary elements. Play with it a bit. Move around the room, you will find spots where you will strengthen signal and spots where you will weaken signal. Adjust your body dimmensions, arms at sides, held high, etc. You can bave fun with this.

ohiojim · Sep 9, 2017

reminds me of when they were sending up a lot of manned space craft,..early 70s, guy I worked for took a piece of shaker screen and mounted a copper toilet tank float to it so he could listen to the talk back and forth with cape Canaveral

Eldon (WA) · Sep 9, 2017

My 6100D Deere was missing the antennae, but had a coil of insulated wire hanging from the mirror and hooked to the antennae base. Not sure if it was intentional, but it worked.

Traditional Farmer · Sep 9, 2017

Your radio apparently doesn't like Blue Grass tries to tune it out when you aren't around.

coshoo · Sep 9, 2017

As the others said, your antenna is inadequate and your body is acting as an antenna. Something that you can try that doesn't cost anything is to set the radio on top of its own power cord- then move the cord and the radio around for a good signal. Of course, after each move, you have to walk away, because when you stand near, it all sounds good! lol

JF in MI · Sep 9, 2017

I had the same issue. A hearing aid fixed it.

guido · Sep 9, 2017

Hello blue_tractor_man,

If you have an antenna input on the back of the radio, use a piece of house wire. Skin it at cut it to 32".
FM signal is directional, so is strongest if your antenna is in line of sight with the broadcasting station. Bend the top few inches and twisted around until you get the best reception. Or you could tune in to a Rock and roll station.....always LOUD!
HE! HE!

GUIDO.

2510Paul · Sep 9, 2017

MarkB_MI, best most clear explanation I have seen. Paul

Dean · Sep 9, 2017

Love it, JF!

Dean

Dean · Sep 9, 2017

Interesting, Mark.

Maybe, that's why I tingle all over when I listen to Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, and Patsy Cline.

Just kidding.

Dean

jeffcat · Sep 9, 2017

Yup you are acting as a reflector/ antenna active or passive. As stated, more antenna, some tin foil bow tie, etc. When you are driving a car that radio is far super to a table top unit. Driving down the road many many years ago an FM radio would fade in and out very quickly and that is called ( picket fencing ). The electronics in car radios today is just staggering in their complexity. That is why I built a car radio into my kitchen wall. Terrific quality. Another thing with car radios is you can't just stick an antenna anywhere. You need a metal plate under it like a car body to get the best reception. If I am not mistaken it is called a ground plain. Two Atlas 883 8 inch studio speakers in the ceiling. The newer version is a FA138T167 . These things are high efficiency and have cross over networks and all. Anywhere from $80-100 A pop. Woo hoo.. Just try stringing a short piece of wire and wrap 5he end around your FM antenna. More questtions just get back to us.

MT RON · Sep 10, 2017

When I was a kid in eastern Montana we had an old battery powered radio with about a hundred yards of copper wire for antenna and we listened to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night live from Nashville over WSM.Also could pickup WLS Chicago and Shrevport LA.Can't anymore

OT Why does my home FM radio insist I stay close?

blue_tractor_man

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MarkB_MI

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fixerupper

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BarnyardEngineering

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ohiojim

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Traditional Farmer

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