Topic: Improving DAB Radio Reception

[GillE]

I have an old DAB radio which can receive all the stations I want to hear with no problem.  I've also got a newer DAB radio which cannot receive all the stations I want hear, even when it is placed in the same location as the old one.  However, I want to use the newer radio because it has other accessories such as an iPod dock, CD player and USB/card input.

The principle difference between the two radios that I can see is the old one has a 'proper' extendible and multidirectional aerial whereas the newer one just has a bit of wire sticking out its back.  Is there any way to improve the newer radio so that I can receive more stations?

[Clive]

Not a very elegant solution Gill, but try extending the aerial by adding more wire.  In the olden days that was normal practice for picking up Radio Luxembourg. 

[Simon]

I also have two like that, Gill, and find the same problems, but as long as they can both pick up Radio 2 and Planet Rock, I'm happy. 

[sam]

some of these docs do come with a little and quite often well hidden port to  attach and aerial too. What is the make?

[GillE]

It's an Hitachi AXM209UK Slim DAB Micro System with docking for iPod.  I've got the instruction manual in front of me and I can't see another aerial socket on the parts diagram, nor can I see one on the actual radio itself.

[Simon]

Why is it an Hitachi, but a hospital? 

[Clive]

Damn phone.   

[Clive]

The other inelegant solution Gill is to attach the tiny aerial tail to an aluminium dish (that's why they invented blu-tak) and that will act as a satellite dish and amplify the signal.  Sadly these techniques really do work so there is no excuse to take a sledgehammer to the thing and smash it into tiny pieces.       

[sam]

maybe there is some interference from the power supply, bet it was put in some silly place.. like next to the antenna.

[Simon]

Damn phone.   

No, it was a serious grammar question.    They both begin with H, so why AN Hitachi, not A Hitachi? 

[Clive]

Oh I see what you mean.  Good question. 

[GillE]

'H' is pronounced 'Aitch'.  Cue Pedants Corner  .

[Simon]

That wasn't the question.    It's to do with the pronoun (?).  You say "She's had a hysterectomy", not AN hysterectomy.  You say, "It's AN honour", not a honour, but that's presumably because the 'Aitch' is silent.  So, I'm not saying it's incorrect, but why AN Hitachi, not A Hitachi, and why A hospital, not AN hospital?   This will keep me awake tonight!   

[sam]

I think I'd say an eventhough its probably wrong. I think I mix between the two with the 'aitch'

[Rik]

It's called English, Simon, it has a lot of quirks. Usually, the a/an, is based on the sound of the first syllable of the word it precedes. It should be an hotel, though, for example.