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Gettin AM stations in like car?

J

JH_Radio

Okay so I live here in Bensalem, PA just outside of Philly.
On my Sony SRF-42 I can get AM but it has RFI but not sure from what. This does not exist in the car.
I also have a Yamaha T-85 tuner. What kind of antenna can I use for that to get reception?
Is the select-a-tenna any good? Is it worth it to spend $150 on it?
How does the T-85 due compared to the AMX-2000 tuner?
Should I even bother investing in the AMX-2000? With everyone going IBOC, does it a actually make sense to purchase a seprit audiophyle tuner with AM Stereo? Or would this tuner help in just my AM reception, makeing it a worth while investment.

On a simular note, is it normal for me to get a 740 out of Teronto, WBBM, WJR, and WLS at night during this time? Is that mind boggeling or is that just normal, on a Sony SRF-42 walkman.
John
Bensalem, PA
 
All of those stations are completely normal for your region; I'd be surprised if you didn't hear them at night. 740 from Toronto has one heck of a nighttime skywave signal, or at least they usually do in Ohio.
 
I worked in Bensalem for a few years, John, and am pretty familiar with the DX there. WBBM, WLS, WJR and C-whatever 740 are all not only 50,000 watts but non-directional. Not just that, a lot of Philly signals are directional somewhat away from you, so you should hear a lot of frequencies relatively
'open' from all the clutter you'd get, say, in Center City or Camden.

In fact, along the Boulevard in the Northeast, WBZ is louder than KYW at sunset. KYW is directional away from you. Your main local 'pest' for nighttime DX is likely to be WPHT. They have their stick across the river from you in Pennsauken, and used to put all kinds of harmonics on short wave (2420, 4840, 9680, and other spurs). Otherwise, you live in a pretty cozy area for AM DX as far as locals go.

I actually don't know if the Select-a-Tenna is just for AM (I've never seen one) but you *can* build a terrific AM antenna for about $20. Save your money. EMail me if you want directions.
 
Hi, I even have trouble with locals. Probably due to the directional Philly AM's away from me?
Its hissful on AM, folowed by a BZZZ which comes overtop of the signal, then the BZZ goes away and more hiss underneith more or les anything I put on. In the car this is not the case. Computer is across the hall. I'm weird i know, but I like the Sony SRF-42, its like listenin to the radio in bed... but Sure SE-530's in my head instead of radio under the pilow!
I have a boombox (Sony model from wal-mart) on the shelf, but the AM on the boombox isn't any good for sound. Still have the same Hiss/BZZZ problem on the box as well.

John
Bensalem, PA
 
Stephen Marius Green said:
I actually don't know if the Select-a-Tenna is just for AM (I've never seen one)
Click to expand...
It is for AM only, and it has the power to pick up stations weakly from over 170 miles in the daytime!! :) :)

-crainbebo
 
It should be noted that the car I'm in is a Chryslor Town and Country 2001 limited
AM Stereo/FM Stereo/CD/Cassette ROZ moddle.
Probably does so well because Chryslor cares about there AM. FM does well for weeker stations too. It does not blend to mono much on FM, and weeker stations do well. This is the stock radio that came in the van, with the 3-slider graphic EQ.
John
Bensalem, PA
 
I used to have a srf-42 until it got stolen from my apartment. It's a nice tuner, fairly sensitive and great sound quality, the hiss is normal on weak stations. It maybe more pronounced on the srf 42 because it has a GREATER frequency response than the average AM radio. The only problem I had with it was the bleedover on FM from strong stations. I've used a select-a-tenna with that same radio and it does wonders. Weak stations will become like locals, and stations you don't even hear a trace of without it will become audible. If you don't have the ability or know-how to build an antenna, the select-a-tenna will work for you, and you can use it on any AM radio except for a car radio.
 
mimo said:
I used to have a srf-42 until it got stolen from my apartment. It's a nice tuner, fairly sensitive and great sound quality, the hiss is normal on weak stations. It maybe more pronounced on the srf 42 because it has a GREATER frequency response than the average AM radio. The only problem I had with it was the bleedover on FM from strong stations. I've used a select-a-tenna with that same radio and it does wonders. Weak stations will become like locals, and stations you don't even hear a trace of without it will become audible. If you don't have the ability or know-how to build an antenna, the select-a-tenna will work for you, and you can use it on any AM radio except for a car radio.
Click to expand...

Sony has a hit and miss with FM tuners. It seems to be an inverse relationship. Sony radios with above average AM tuners have horrible FM sections while the rest of their product line are the opposite.
 
Does it matter which moddle I get? I assume if I ever wanna hook it up to something such as the AMX-2000 I will need to get the model with the pre-amp and exxternal mini plug and convert it to RCA.
Also, my dad could help to build me an antenna, if I asked him i'm thinkin he probably would.
John
Bensalem, PA
 
The Sony SRF-A100 isn't bad on FM. The AM AM Stereo on that tuner is amazing! I have one of those, too.
John
Bensalem, PA
 
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