Believe it or not, an A.M. radio question

Use the longest piece of wire that you can hide for an antenna. Doesn't have to be heavy gauge or anything fancy. If that doesn't work, you're probably out of luck. Sean
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Might be your building blocking the signal. Put the antenna near a window and see. If you are in a cubicle in the middle of the building, you might be out of luck...

Thanks guys, I have a hunch I am SOL. I am near a window and am using a long piece of wire already. I was hoping a powered antennae would do the trick.

A powered antenna will not do the trick ... AM waves behave differently than FM waves. For AM reception, placing the radio by the window may work better than using a long piece of wire. Modern era AM tuners are poor quality after thoughts and the AM plastic loop antennas that are supplied are no match for traditional ferrite core AM antennas. Another answer may be the AM antenna sold by CCrane .

Regards, Rich

Don't waste your money on Terk. I already have. Their antennas are long on marketing and good looks and have pitiful performance. This holds for both radio and TV

A straight long wire is best for short wave long distance reception. For the regular Broadcast band, apart from the ferite rod that used to be commonplace, Loops (open coils) are often used. One approach that I read about had the antenna wire hidden behind ceiling molding, and going around the room several times.

Forget it. You would have to eliminate all the computer monitors to receive AM reception. The monitors are causing the problem.

Not an answer to your question, but a comment that may save someone's life! As a former boater, a common trick that I used to use was to turn on an AM radio when the skies started darkening up, indicating potential thunderstorm activity. AM radio (tuned to a station or not) will indicate electrical activity, via audible static bursts, even before lightening is visible, or thunder is audible. NOAA weather radio can give you a potential thunderstorm advisory, but by tuning on an AM radio, you can monitor electrical activity in real time, giving you ample warning to get off of the water, beach, golf course, or hiking trail, allowing you to leave a particularly dangerous location well before a thunderstorm hits!

Thanks everyone! Pkaram, I assume you are saying that even the Crane antenna referred to above will not be able to overcome the monitor problem.

Lp guy, I have had the same experience with Terk's TV antennae in the past.

Rich, that Crane looks interesting. I may use it at home.

Fatparrot, its been raining so much here that I just may use that tip!! LOL!

You should try a GE Super Radio III ($50). These portables have a great tuner compared to most which are junk.

Dittos to the GE Super Radio. Using its stock antenna my reception exceeds numerous am/fm tuners retailing up to $500 and using a variety of antennas. FM reception is also good and the best benefit, the single speaker is very listenable with a "full" sound and good frequency response.