poor radio reception

[Herby White]

I have been told tthat radio reception can be improved by attaching the aerial from the radio to the earth conection in the power plug,so using the houses electrical wiring as a larger (stronger?) aerial. Is this correct or is someone misleading me with the result that I will either a/ destroy the radio or b/ possibly wreck all the electrics in the place. Or something worse.

[pixi]

hi herby, we have a tv aeriel in the loft and a cable coming from it through the wall to the downstairs, the cable is wired to a socket with a tv and fm hole in it, and then theres a cable coming from the back of the cd/dvd player that plugs into the fm hole.  At least i think thats how it works.  Bear in mind that I am a woman and my husband sorted all of it out.  :)

[JSB]

I think the suggestion might work but it is a potentially dangerous connection to make.  Better , if you have central heating you can attach the aerial to that (scratch away at the paint till you reach bare metal).  It really depends if you're listening to FM (87-106) or AM (531 - 1600).  Such an arrangement will make the most difference with AM usually.  However try all sorts.  I know when I hold one of my radios I get a better signal because it uses me as an aerial or earth or maybe both.

[Hippy]

Rather dangerous connecting stuff directly into mains sockets; even the "Earth" wire, as under some circumstances (admittedly remote or unlikely)  this could become live. I do not wish to trust to luck and the skill of some long gone electrician getting it 110% right 25 years ago, and there being no decay to the system since then. Going to wear earphones? Need I say more?

If it is a VHF (as in FM 88-108 Mhz or DAB) radio then all that will usually be required is a correctly tuned external aerial. This can be a a simple piece if wire stuck to the window. For the more technical aspects you'll need to visit a boffin Website. Try googling "quarter wave dipole" and see where it takes you.

If your radio is Short, Medum, or Long wave, then in addition to a long wire aerial, an earth connection is a distinct advantage. However, this should be connected to the main chassis of the radio, not the aerial socket. You can get a reasonable earth from the radiator, gas or water pipes. Failing that make your own by plunging a 2-3 metre metal rod into the ground, watering it and having a stout wire running from this to a convenient spot in the room with the receiver. You can then run a more flexible cable from this earth spike connection to the wireless.

[Hippy]

Oops, JSB. We posted at the same time.

[Kev_UK]

Depending on the frequency of what station you want to listen to you can make an antenna from some wire.
300 divided by frequency = wavelength

E.g. 300 divided by 106 MHz = 2.83 metres
Now divide that by 2 to make a 1/2 wave.