My AM reception sucks, looking for an antenna

[RADAR1797]

Howdy all,

I am trying to improve my horrible AM reception in my house. I can pick three stations in my truck, but none on my stereo at home. I remember seeing a few years back an adapter at Radio Shack (cannot find it now) that plugged into a wall outlet and supposedly made your entire houses wiring a big antenna. It was a 1.5"X1.5" box that plugged into a wall outlet and had a female coax connector to attach to a stereo antenna connector. Any help would be appreciated.

-RADAR

[Knothead]

Dang, this is my second time at this thread, and I can't remember what we used to do, other than taking a coat hanger and wiring it into the antenna receptors...AM frequency is an easy one to pull compared to FM, in my experience.

I can't imagine a device that would plug into the house current, and improve AM reception. Perhaps it was something that connected into the ground wire. You can do the same thing ( I think) by connecting the antenna receptors to a wire which connects to the screw that holds the (electrical outlet) wall plate in. Wish I could be more help!

[RADAR1797]

Knot,

That's not a bad idea, I'll try that right quick.

-RADAR

[Knothead]

Be careful, I've never tried it.

[OuTpaTienT]

AM antennas for a home stereo unit are usually just a small loop (often encased in plastic) attached to the rear of the receiver/tuner.

If you don't have a gizmo like that on the back of your stereo, but you do have the connection for an AM antenna, then you can use other wire or even FM antenna wire and just fashion it into some kind of loop. Like maybe wrap it around something...or "roll it up" like you might do with a garden hose, and secure it with twist ties or whatever.

AM signals are very directional. So the antenna must be positioned. Sometime just turning the AM antenna 90 degrees can make the difference between a good sounding signal and absolutely no signal at all.

Also, make sure there is no interference producing electronics anywhere near the antenna. Things like fluorescent bulbs, dimmer switches, electric clocks, flashing xmas lights, stuff like that there.

[RADAR1797]

Hey Out,

I tried both the AM loop that came with the stereo and I fashioned one to run it outside the place. To no avail, I can sometimes hear fait voices, but a lot of static.

-RADAR

[jman01pa]

If you can attach an external am atenna to your stereo and money isnt much of a problem, I reccommend the Terk PI. I have had one for years and love it.

Also this works even btter on FM reception.

My model isnt available anymore but here is an example

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/mwant/3978.html

[Knothead]

Yep, I have two different Terk antennas, they are little miracles, for FM reception. I have two large, elaborate stereo systems, and I live in an area that doesn't get ANYTHING except for the big commercial (read: crappy) megawatt stations. So I have to use antenna strategies to get FM in the house.

But I haven't listened to AM in years, so I'm a little rusty on the subject.

Of course, the $60 boombox over my workbench picks up EVERYTHING!! What is THAT about?!?

[RADAR1797]

Ok, now the real question...is it worth the $60? If it is, I will get it tomorrow.

-RADAR

[Knothead]

LOL, what, the boombox, or the Terk antenna? hahaha