Radio 4

donaghs

Seems to be a few fans of BBC Radio 4 here. Does anyone else notice problems getting any kind of decent LW/AM reception on modern radios?

Any radio I've come across made before the mi-80s approximately tends to get a much better reception. Apart from listening on broadband, can anyone recommend handy ways of getting a good Radio 4 reception?

Big Tone

donaghs wrote: »

Seems to be a few fans of BBC Radio 4 here. Does anyone else notice problems getting any kind of decent LW/AM reception on modern radios?

Any radio I've come across made before the mi-80s approximately tends to get a much better reception. Apart from listening on broadband, can anyone recommend handy ways of getting a good Radio 4 reception?

They're on Digital Satellite and Cable if you have Chorus. The reason the LW reception seems crap on modern radios is crappy cheap components they throw in as an afterthought, but a lot of them dont have LW anymore. It is an excellent station.

eth0_

Buy a good quality radio. Roberts is a particularly good brand.

Latchy

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QUOTE=donaghs;54387396]

Apart from listening on broadband, can anyone recommend handy ways of getting a good Radio 4 reception?

Apart form moving to uk, no OP , only kidding

Radio/jingle fan

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DMC

I've just picked up this Roberts clock radio in Power City for €25. LW is as good as the 10 year old Sony clock radio it replaces.

bilko

The LW reception has definitely deteriorated here in Galway compared to 10 or 20 years ago on my various radios.It's audible,just, but my memory is of it being almost as good as rte's on 252 now.I've been putting it down to the BBC's waining interest in analogue.Wifi internet radio and through the satellite are a brilliant alternative but I miss the portability.

DMC

bilko wrote: »

I've been putting it down to the BBC's waining interest in analogue.

I wouldn't say that, its moreso down to there being a lot more electrical interference.

20 years ago, people used a lot less electricity than they do now. Think of all the gadgets that are in peoples homes that weren't there then.

UrbanFox

Yes, a good brand will help a lot.

I just bought a Roberts 993 three band radio and it performs very well on all three bands and I am in an area of Dublin where there is a hell of a lot of electrical noise.

A problem can arise if you power one of these radios using a mains adapter via the external power jack. I reckon that imports a lot of electrical noise through the mains and can cause poor quality reception. The adapter tends not to filter the electrical noise if it is in your supply.

I find that the best MW and LW reception of distant stations is obtained by using internal power i.e. the batteries. This only leaves you with atmospherics to contend with !

Don't forget two additional factors. "Night effect" can cause some distant stations to be heard better at night than by day (Ionosphere / E & F layers and all that jazz). Secondly, don't forget that you can tune some weaker or distant MW and LW stations better by rotating the radio as this actually turns the internal ferrite aerial to the optimal bearing relative to the radio signal.

mike65

I've noticed that in my room the LW signal on my Sony is terrible with the Logik plugged in, not that is an issue as I use the latter for R4.

While LW and MW signals are generaly poorer in the city than countryside.

Mike.

DublinWriter

I know you specified the non-bb option, but you could always buy a Revo Pico Wi-fi radio.

I'm not sure where in Ireland you are, but I can get R4 FM as clear as a bell on my car Radio anywhere North of Ashbourne on 104.6 FM.

R4 is also carried FTA on Astra, both the FM and LW streams.