Radio Tuning

[scarlets fan]

I tried to retune my radio to my favourite channel, but I can only hear it if I hold the extending (metal) aerial. It seems to be the actual contact with my hand, not direction. How can I overcome this.

[bhg481]

It's not a scientific solution but I have one radio which gets better reception when the aerial is fully retracted. It makes no sense but it works. Give it a try.

[gingejbee]

Is it FM or DAB? Have you listened to the same station on the same radio in the same position previously ie is this an unusual or ongoing problem? Are you sure that you are tuning into the "main/proper" transmitter for your area (many stations will appear in several slightly different places when tuning....usually only one gives best reception)?

[scarlets fan]

Its FM. Never had a problem before. I may have knocked the tuning dial by accident, and just cannot get the channel back.

[gingejbee]

For some reason, your transmitter may be on reduced power which will weaken it's signal...it may improve over a short time (as long as you are on the proper frequency!).

[venator]

Is it something to do with capacitance or earthing? Technical stuff - you need an egghead - surely Answerbank has one?

[johnk]

I've had this and solved it by wrapping a piece of wire round the aerial and then to a large lump of metal like a radiator, try it.

[Ken4155]

^Similar to johnk;
The aerial on my 'work' radio snapped off some time back. I can usually still get a good reception on the two channels i listen to while working, but when i can't, i rest the blade of a wallpaper scraper on the 'stub' of the aerial and, hey presto! Hopefully one of our resident 'techno wizards' will be along later to explain why this happens.

[Old_Geezer]

You are simply making a bigger aerial.

Problem is clearly with getting enough signal. If your aerial hasn't damaged a connection recently then it could be the transmitter. Or maybe you've moved the radio to a location where it's not getting the same signal. Monitor the situation. Or maybe invest in a bigger aerial.