What is the most powerful AM radio I can buy? And is it powerful enough to pick up a station from 80miles?

Question

I live on the west side of Hawaii island and the radio station I want to pick up is on the east side I don't know exactly how far it is but there are mountains and stuff in the way. Do they sell an am radio thats powerful enough to pick this up. I've heard that sea crane makes some pretty good radios. Would they work? Or is there anything better?

Answer 1

Mountains and other major obstructions do have a habit of interfereing....

Usually the best radio needs a even better antenna.. The best portable AM radio is considered to be the GE Supertuner III series. However you will probably need serious wire and a communications receiver to hear the station. Without location, I can't check out some of the sites such as radio-locator.com that will give an idea if the signal can make it over the mountain... but 60 miles over flat terrain , a dipole wire (two pieces of wire roughly 70 feet ain length on each side) will pick up every station reliabily.. however with the mountian, I'm unsure if you will or not

Answer 2

AM radio signals bounce off the stratosphere, not line-of-sight like FM, so topography should not be in an issue with reception, as long as the singal has enough power.  Most times, AM radio signals are amplified by large bodies of water, so the station may just be too low in power to get very far.  I too have heard good things about Sea Crane, especially in the AM radio world. Have you checked with the radio stations web site to see if you can stream the broadcast?  I find most radio station streams are better anyway, as they do not have as many commercials. If you want to take the traditional way, or the station does not stream, I would go with a sea Crane Company.  If anything, you can try the radio and if you are not happy with it, return it for a refund.

Answer 3

"mountains and stuff in the way" could be the problem.

It's not so much the radio as it is the antenna. Even a piece of wire attached to the existing antenna might help.

If not, I have an interesting device that I bought years ago that really boosts the antenna power of your AM radio. It's a big, round plastic device called a "Select-A-Tenna." You put it next to your radio and - wow! What a difference. this would also be a good device for those kids who have written in about bad reception on Radio Disney. You can reach them at www.selectatenna.com/

Runs about $100 for the lower end model.

-a guy named duh