Poor Radio 4 Reception.

[Theland]

Just curious, why my small, old, cheap bedside radio alarm is so difficult to tune into radio 4, with crackling and buzzing interference?
(The original short wire Ariel went missing age as ago.)

[douglas9401]

The aerial is missing.

[bhg481]

Have you moved any furniture around in the house recently? Sometimes the signal can be upset by reflections. We have a radio in our kitchen and some days it buzzes when you stand in certain places, other days it's perfectly good reception. Strangely it works best with its aerial pushed down.

[Prudie]

Yes not having the aerial makes a big difference. I have a long wire one and it has huge effect on buzzing if I move it around. I've always found R4 on FM difficult to tune in perfectly - although you know there are several spots you can pick it up on? On mine there are two no more than about 3 degrees apart on the wheel. Have you tried a different spot?

[TonyV]

I put my radio next to bedframe which is steel, sees to act as an ariel .

[1ozzy]

You answered your own question Puddles,
small, old and cheap with a missing Ariel.
You need to find a little mermaid ;-)

[derek-33]

old radio ?
radio / aerial are synonymous

[piggynose]

Put your hand in your pocket, stop being careful with money and buy a new one.

[Theland]

If I have a religion, it is not spending money.
That crackling radio is good for another fifty years.
(Can't get a new wire Ariel in.)

How about a tip from, say, Blue Peter?
Sticky back plastic and aluminium foil?
There MUST be a free solution.