FM radio power?
Discussion
Hi everyone, just wondered how some portable and car radios have better reception than others. . . . Is it all about the aerial or does it make a difference between battery/mains operated or is their a power rating similar to a light bulb that gives you a better reception? I live in an area where some of the local radio stations are in range depending on what radio I use at home or which car I drive. Thanks in advance
Atmospherics (although that’s more HF)
Aerial quality
Routing of cables inside the car
Shielding of the cable
Sensitivity of the receiving circuit
Quality of components within the radio
Location of the car ( out in the countryside less shielding by buildings from the radio signal and less interference)
Interference from other signals close to the one you want.
There is no power rating like when transmitting for the receiving of a signal. There is something called gain (amplifying the tiny signal to an audiable sound) and how that is done 1 large amp or multiple small amps resulting in the same amount of amplification (gain).
It’s a very simplified question with multiple factors resulting in different quality outcomes.
Active antennas really help (ie the signal is boosted right at the aerial before it travels down the coaxial cable rather than having more losses by not amplifying until it gets in to the receiver.
Aerial quality
Routing of cables inside the car
Shielding of the cable
Sensitivity of the receiving circuit
Quality of components within the radio
Location of the car ( out in the countryside less shielding by buildings from the radio signal and less interference)
Interference from other signals close to the one you want.
There is no power rating like when transmitting for the receiving of a signal. There is something called gain (amplifying the tiny signal to an audiable sound) and how that is done 1 large amp or multiple small amps resulting in the same amount of amplification (gain).
It’s a very simplified question with multiple factors resulting in different quality outcomes.
Active antennas really help (ie the signal is boosted right at the aerial before it travels down the coaxial cable rather than having more losses by not amplifying until it gets in to the receiver.
Edited by MB140 on Tuesday 19th March 20:23
Edited by MB140 on Tuesday 19th March 20:25
MB140 said:
Atmospherics (although that’s more HF)
Aerial quality
Routing of cables inside the car
Shielding of the cable
Sensitivity of the receiving circuit
Quality of components within the radio
Location of the car ( out in the countryside less shielding by buildings from the radio signal and less interference)
Interference from other signals close to the one you want.
There is no power rating like when transmitting for the receiving of a signal. There is something called gain (amplifying the tiny signal to an audiable sound) and how that is done 1 large amp or multiple small amps resulting in the same amount of amplification (gain).
It’s a very simplified question with multiple factors resulting in different quality outcomes.
Active antennas really help (ie the signal is boosted right at the aerial before it travels down the coaxial cable rather than having more losses by not amplifying until it gets in to the receiver.
Apologies for the tardiness of my thanks; but thank you for your reply. . . unsure how to solve my problem but at least I know what the problem is!Aerial quality
Routing of cables inside the car
Shielding of the cable
Sensitivity of the receiving circuit
Quality of components within the radio
Location of the car ( out in the countryside less shielding by buildings from the radio signal and less interference)
Interference from other signals close to the one you want.
There is no power rating like when transmitting for the receiving of a signal. There is something called gain (amplifying the tiny signal to an audiable sound) and how that is done 1 large amp or multiple small amps resulting in the same amount of amplification (gain).
It’s a very simplified question with multiple factors resulting in different quality outcomes.
Active antennas really help (ie the signal is boosted right at the aerial before it travels down the coaxial cable rather than having more losses by not amplifying until it gets in to the receiver.
Edited by MB140 on Tuesday 19th March 20:23
Edited by MB140 on Tuesday 19th March 20:25
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