Radio has been used for decades across the globe as a way to listen to music, hear the news, stay informed or plainly entertain. People used to rely on it as their only way of seeing into the world – similarly to how we now have the TV, our phones and other devices.
Admittedly, the use of radio has decreased over the past two decades. We now have smartphones that contain thousands of songs, podcasts with interesting conversations, YouTube and myriad other entertainment possibilities. However, people are slowly getting back into the radio – aside from listening to it in their cars – and this means owning a proper, actual radio device.
These devices have changed significantly over the years. While initial radios used to be huge with large buttons, now we have portable, compact radios that have modern features. For example, you can use a radio to connect with your phone through Bluetooth and use it as a speaker. It can serve as an MP3 player as well.
But many people are going back to the roots and starting to appreciate the art of radio – the music being played randomly, without you deciding what it will be, the hosts talking about different subjects, etc. It’s a nostalgic moment, in a way, for most people. Most of us remember listening to the radio when we were young, and this is why we enjoy it as adults.
There’s a certain charm in not having to make decisions and just passively listen to whatever they play.
Radio stations have also evolved, so now we have stations directed at all sorts of audiences. With a simple boombox, you can enjoy the music you like, and your parents can easily switch to a station they like.
The hosts also play an important part, as experts confirm, with their large personalities and engaging talks. Radio is, in a way, perfectly suitable for the modern audience. It requires no action so you can listen to it and do other things – it’s multitasking at its best.
However, people often stumble upon a problem with their modern devices. They don’t have an antenna, and it makes the radio signal rather poor.
Fortunately, you can fix this problem by simply getting an antenna.
What Is Radio Frequency
Here’s a bit of science before getting into antennas and why they matter.
What is FM radio frequency anyway?
FM stands for frequency modulation – this is a type of signal which is transferred through the changing frequency which has fewer changes, so the audio comes out cleaner. This allows for a seamless transition without the annoying static noise. Wikipedia can help you learn more about how this works: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_broadcasting
However, these signals are often interrupted by simple barriers like walls. Listening to a radio inside your home makes the signal poor, especially if your radio doesn’t come with an antenna.
Most radios nowadays come without an antenna or with a tiny one. You can imagine just how bad the signal gets because of this.
Why Antennas Matter in FM Radio
Antennas are usually found in older radio systems or in cars. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, depending on what is necessary. The type of antenna you would need and likely choose will depend on the signal in your area.
Basically, the purpose of an antenna is to collect the signal coming from the radio station. It attracts those signals which you are trying to get through the tuner. So, when you are spinning that small wheel, your antenna is doing the hard work of trying to get the signal from that specific station.
Unfortunately, most radio devices nowadays don’t focus as much on the ability of the radio to collect these signals, but rather on advanced features like Bluetooth or USB. Antennas don’t look modern or appealing, so they are usually not involved in the radio device you buy. The reception is then automatically weak.
As a bonus, you will likely keep your radio indoors, in your living area or bedroom, so the signal gets even worse.
What should you do if you have already purchased a radio for the purpose of listening to your favorite stations, but you can’t find them because of the bad signal? How do you fix this?
Here’s what to do.
How To Improve The Reception in Your Radio
Of course, you could go out and buy a new radio with an antenna. However, this will cost you way more money than it should. And at the same time, you can fix your radio for a lower price.
So, how to do it?
- Buy an antenna – If your device didn’t come with one, you can always buy it. They are not that expensive, and you can easily set it up. Check if your radio has an aerial input. You can find some of the best antennas listed in Ryans Best Reviews, from simple dipole aerials to more modern options and different specifications. Modern antennas are easy to rotate and reposition so you can find all of the stations that you need.
- Try amplified indoor aerial – If you already have your new antenna attached and it doesn’t work properly, you should try the amplified indoor aerial. This one will have a better signal and it works well where all other antennas fail.
- Try an outdoor antenna – If both of these options fail, this means that you are living far from the transmitter and that you should try an outdoor antenna. You should place it on the highest point of your home possible. If you don’t live very high, you can find a long pole and attach it there. This way you may even get more stations.
- DIY it – If you don’t have an antenna yet and you need something quickly, you can make your own in a pinch. Of course, getting an antenna is the best solution if you want a good signal, but if you need one quickly (in case of a party or an important broadcast), use any wire you find as an antenna. You just have to attach it to the terminal of the antenna.
Some radio devices don’t have an entry point for an antenna. If this is the case, you can use the headphone entry to connect your antenna. Plug any cable that fits – the longer the better for the reception.
Your radio may also use the power cable as an antenna. In this case, you should stretch the cable and reposition it to see if anything will improve.
It can also help if you place your device near a window. This way, barriers won’t get in the way as much.
