Radio reception on an FM radio?

Question

I have just brought a Steepletone Shower FM/AM radio. I have tuned it to the station that I want, Radio 2, It tunes fine. The only problem is as soon as I take my hands away from the radio it goes all crackly and out of tune. As soon as I put my hands back onto the unit it works perfectly. Is there anything I can do to make it work. Thanks

Answer 1

fit an external Ariel to it FM. you are touching it and you become the Ariel.

Answer 2

Get an old piece of electrical cable, as long as possible, even one strand will do. Wrap the bared copper round the antenna and lay out the rest as long as it'll go or up and over the shower curtain.

That should help.

Answer 3

Mine is like that too. Consequently, I listen to AM stations. Try keeping your foot on the radio, leaving your hands free for washing your bits.

Answer 4

Grab a flask, get a chair, a blanket and some smokes and go sit next to it holding onto the tuning k**b until your programmes finished. Whats on btw?

*Set Alarm.

Answer 5

Get someone to hold it for you.

Or do what Dave S suggests.

Answer 6

mine does the same although its not the same make

what i have to do is tweak the k**b slightly so its not the best reception when my hands are near.... take them away and bingo !!!!

Answer 7

wash with one hand

Answer 8

Radio 2:  Sounds like CBC from Toronto, in which case you're most likely using the FM band.

I don't know about that exact make, but every radio needs an antenna somewhere.  If it's designed for a shower, it's probably impractically short, and hidden inside a water resistant case.

A general rule about radio reception is "line of sight".  If you could 'see' or point in the direction of the transmitter, you should be able to pick up the signal.  If you are in a basement, all that concrete will reduce the amount of signal you can get.  Try to put the radio in or near a window facing the transmitter.

If your building has a hill or another building between it and the transmitter, try raising the radio up (even a foot or two) to get more signal.

So, to summarize the above: experiment with different locations, and angles for the radio (face it north, face it west... etc.)

Is the radio hung from the shower head?  The water pipes act as a 'ground' for electricity.  You, when not touching the metal pipe, act as a bit of an antenna.  Perhaps moving it away from metal pipes might improve the amount of signal it picks up.

If all else fails, find a local community college that teachs electronics, and ask the professor.  Another source would be to look up your city's amateur radio operator's club, and ask them for advice.  Either one may be able to give more specific advice, or create / attach a better antenna ( even 6" of wire will help) in a colour to match your shower.

DF, B.Eng.

Answer 9

The human body is a conductor of radio signals....good and bad. Sometimes you walk away, and the signal deteriorates. Other times it gets better as you get closer. You can not predict it. The answer is no. You can build an FM reciever on your roof and you will still be pissed off.

Answer 10

the truth is shower radios have in built aerials and are not that good.

if you know what you are doing you can open it up and run a long wire from it or.

find the best position you can for the radio to work and very finely  tune the radio in to get the best signal you can.

regards x kitti x