Radio antenna

[Propflux01]

I have an older AM/FM radio set up that I use in a metal building with a standard shingle roof. problem is I have almost 0 reception from this radio or any other inside this metal building. what I'm wondering is how can I make this better. the radio only has one wire sticking out the back of it that you just tack up to a wall somewhere, that being said it is not a dual dipole type antenna set up for anything like that. What can I do or use to make this reception better, as i cannot even tune anything as the building for better reception because it so bad I can hardly hear even the strong stations? Any ideas?

 

[The_Jeff]

Drill a hole and run a grommet?

 

[Errtt]

With 1 wire for the back, sounds like that is for FM as a lot of radios have a ferrite bar inside for AM, which is directional.
Being in a metal shields reception. Best bet would be get outdoor antenna for FM, or experiment as much as the environment allows.
For am, if no external connection, may be tough. Do others have radio's they can bring in to see for one with better sensitivity?
My better AM radio's is a CCrane and GE Super Radio. My Sangean PR-D7 also does a good job.

 

[Rolla07]

Aluminum foil? Isnt that supposed to help?

 

[John_K]

Is there a water pipe or electrical conduit you could hook the wire from your radio to?

John

 

[Tdbo]

Hook up an external antenna.

 

[spasm3]

Can you attach a wire and make the entire building an antenna?
As a kid , i used a 3 strand barb wire fence on 30 acres
as an antenna for a heathkit shortwave receiver. I had fantastic reception. ( I'm just lucky that lightning never ran in on it.)

 

[Propflux01]

All the pipes are plastic. I haven't tried bolting the one Wite to the building. I'll try that firdt

 

[R80RS]

You can find good quality AM/FM antennas at these links, along with a lot of information on how to set one up.

Universal Radio

C. Crane

 

[OneEyeJack]

AM antenna....

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: Propflux01
I have an older AM/FM radio set up that I use in a metal building with a standard shingle roof. problem is I have almost 0 reception from this radio or any other inside this metal building. what I'm wondering is how can I make this better. the radio only has one wire sticking out the back of it that you just tack up to a wall somewhere, that being said it is not a dual dipole type antenna set up for anything like that. What can I do or use to make this reception better, as i cannot even tune anything as the building for better reception because it so bad I can hardly hear even the strong stations? Any ideas?


What is the brand of radio and how many antenna connectors does it have?

 

[slowdime]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
Can you attach a wire and make the entire building an antenna?
As a kid , i used a 3 strand barb wire fence on 30 acres
as an antenna for a heathkit shortwave receiver. I had fantastic reception. ( I'm just lucky that lightning never ran in on it.)



That's..... AWESOME

 

[Errtt]

If you have wifi inside, wifi radio a possible option.

 

[Propflux01]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Originally Posted By: Propflux01
I have an older AM/FM radio set up that I use in a metal building with a standard shingle roof. problem is I have almost 0 reception from this radio or any other inside this metal building. what I'm wondering is how can I make this better. the radio only has one wire sticking out the back of it that you just tack up to a wall somewhere, that being said it is not a dual dipole type antenna set up for anything like that. What can I do or use to make this reception better, as i cannot even tune anything as the building for better reception because it so bad I can hardly hear even the strong stations? Any ideas?


What is the brand of radio and how many antenna connectors does it have?


It's a cheap 3-cd 2 cassette Emerson. I use it just to have some tunes in the shop while I work.

 

[MolaKule]

Your metal building is acting as a Faraday cage.

I would run what is know as a "longwire" antenna wire outside, a simple say 16 guage, insulated stranded wire. Make sure the far (free) end is insulated from any metal or ground.

Drill a hole through the metal with a grommet for the wire, then wrap it around the wire hanging off the radio.

And try to keep the wiring and radio away from any type of fluorescent light or any device that might create interference.

 

[Propflux01]

Good ideas to try. Driving me nuts!!