Radio

Because both your TV set and your radio are designed to receive signals it is, perhaps, not surprising that most of the TV reception or interference problems in this booklet can also apply to your radio and require similar checks to identity them.

Check list

Portable sets

  1. 1. If the set is battery-operated, check that the batteries are of the correct type, are correctly fitted and are fresh. If in doubt, fit new batteries
  2. 2. For Medium and Long Wave. Check whether better reception can be obtained by slowly turning the set to a new position.
  3. 3. For VHF/FM. Check whether changing the angle of the telescopic aerial improves reception. If the set has a socket for an external aerial, this should be used.
  4. 4. Check whether carrying the portable from room to room through the house gives improved reception.

Don't expect high quality reception from the cheaper portable radios.

Fixed (mains-only) sets.

Modern, fixed sets usually have an internal aerial for medium and long wave, but have terminals or a socket for connection of an external aerial for the VHF/FM band.

1. For medium and long wave check whether better reception can be obtained by turning the set through 90 degrees.

2 For VHF/FM best results are obtained by using a VHF aerial mounted as high as practicable outside your home. If you already have an outside aerial, check that it is still correctly mounted and in good condition.

Quality of reception

Medium and Longwave

The quality of reception on these wavebands may deteriorate at dusk when atmospheric conditions cause continental stations to interfere with the programme to which you are tuned. Other than making a slight adiustment of the tuning, or altering the position ot your set to minimise the effect, there is little that can be done locally to overcome this type of problem.

Neighbour's television sets can cause interference, heard as a whistle, and nearby computers may cause a warbling noise. To minimise the etfect you should try re-positioning your radio in the room.

VHF/FM

Provided you are in the service area of the VHF station, the quality ot reception on this band is generally much superior to MW and LW but, unless you have a good aerial. the signal may be subject to variation from reflections from buildings or your own proximity to the set.

On the edge of the service area an externally- mounted high-gain aerial may be necessary to ensure adequate reception.

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