High quality AM radio

[gottabekd]

So we have a cabin out near Fernie, and would like to be able to listen to Flames games on the Calgary Fan 960 station. I have an old Sony boombox that picks up the signal half the time, but want something more reliable.

Yes, satellite radio would do this. No, I don't want to spend $15/month to catch the odd game.

Is there anything such as an amplified AM radio? Rabbit ears for the radio? Anyone tried one that worked?Thanks.

EDIT

Range would hopefully be ~$100 or less. Also, would likely need a radio that would receive the signal from such an external antenna. Nothing too great, but with a couple decent speakers that would play the local FM radio station in decent quality.

[ken0042]

IIRC AM radio waves are best captured by a loop antenna; whereas FM and TV signals don't- which is why you can use a series of coat hangers to improve FM signal reception.

What you might want to try is using an old stereo amp/tuner that has the AM antenna inputs, then even using a length of speaker wire in a loop going outside and even up into a tree or something.

I haven't tried this myself, but I think it would help with the reception. Other options, have you tried the Source or Radio Shack in the States? If checking with the Source, try calling an out of town location like Okotoks or Strathmore where they would be more likely to carry antennas and sell them.

[BlackArcher101]

One trick I've used to boost reception on a tiny stereo was to loop wire on the inside of a window frame, say about 20 loops. Basically created a large loop antenna and it was sort of hidden.

[Kipper is King]

Hey, I am really into radio!

Many little portable shortwave radios (like the Grundig G5) have really good AM reception and the easy ability to add antennas. They are cheap now too because hardly anyone is brocasting on SW anymore. It's hit-or-miss though. I listen to AM from all over western North America on mine, but sometimes due to weather/new stations, a signal that's audible one night isn't the next.

That's the probable option. Just in case you have internet out there....

What I would recommend, assuming you (or a neigbour with unencrypted wifi) have high speed internet is an internet connected radio. I got the AR Infinite Radio for Christmas.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...57&catid=10076

(The review by Logan is mine- for some reason, my spacing and punctuation was screwed up when the review was posted lol)

While the cost is a bit more than you wanted to spend, the wealth of music/news sports from all over the world is amazing. The Fan 960 stream works with this radio, and since it's just an Internet stream, the signal is always clear. I easily added the radio streams for most NHL teams, too!

With that particular radio, you're best off if you can hook it up to a wired Ethernet connection. It still works OK with wifi, but it tends to buffer more than it should. Ethernet helps, though. And there are other models, too!

Perhaps give that a try.

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

However, what I would recommend, assuming you have high speed internet is an internet connected radio.

Just curious, but why/when would you use this? If you have high speed why not just listen on your PC? I guess the wifi function lets you listen in other rooms away from the PC if you don't have a wireless laptop.

I assume the cottage doesn't have high speed.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by HalifaxDrunk

Just curious, but why/when would you use this? If you have high speed why not just listen on your PC? I guess the wifi function lets you listen in other rooms away from the PC if you don't have a wireless laptop.

I assume the cottage doesn't have high speed.

I was wondering this myself.

[troutman]

I think reception depends on weather and what is happening in the atmosphere. We heard a Flames game in Southern Utah. Many AM stations turn up the power at night (50 kW "blowtorch").

[gottabekd]

Thanks for the tips. No, I don't have an Internet connection. I've never brought a wifi device out there, so I'm not sure if any neighbours have a connection. But even if they do, I doubt I would use it. Regularly.

So, that Grundig radio, is the speaker decent enough to enjoy Peter Mahers call of the game?

I'm wondering about maybe going to Cash Converters or the like and getting an ancient receiver, and manually wiring up an antenna as described.

[Kipper is King]

OK, I was kinda stupid suggesting the Internet radio. I use mine because I don't really feel like booting up a computer at my bedside. When I'm in my room, I just want to enjoy the music or whatever without that hassle.

The sound quality on the grundig g5 is very nice. (I have the older, bigger version, the g400a- reviews indicate the g5 performs a little better).

Edit: I glanced around on the web, and prices aren't as cheap for the g5 as I thought- about $150. Not worth it.

Originally Posted by gottabekd

I'm wondering about maybe going to Cash Converters or the like and getting an ancient receiver, and manually wiring up an antenna as described.

Maybe it's worth a try. "Ancient" secondhand radios are really hit or miss, though.

Just FYI: Recieving radio signals from outside the intended area is known as DXing (old telegraph term for long distance, I think).

CCrane has a reputation for carrying radios with good reception, and they ship to Canada. Maybe something like this would work:

http://www.ccrane.com/radios/am-fm-r...den-radio.aspx

or this:
http://www.ccrane.com/radios/pocket-...ket-radio.aspx

review here: Good speaker volume and reception for the size/price. http://www.ccrane.com/radios/pocket-...ket-radio.aspx

I hope I helped!

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by gottabekd

I'm wondering about maybe going to Cash Converters or the like and getting an ancient receiver, and manually wiring up an antenna as described.

I have one word for you- don't. Most things I see in cash converters are priced pretty close to what brand new retail is. I have no idea who actually buys the junk in there.

Put an WTB ad in our own Buy& Sell. I'm sure somebody here is hanging onto some old receiver that they were thinking of just recycling that you could get for cheap.

[gottabekd]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I have one word for you- don't. Most things I see in cash converters are priced pretty close to what brand new retail is. I have no idea who actually buys the junk in there.

Put an WTB ad in our own Buy& Sell. I'm sure somebody here is hanging onto some old receiver that they were thinking of just recycling that you could get for cheap.

Well, that's good advice. I pass by there on my way home from work, so I thought I'd pop in tonight.

You are absolutely right -- that old, dirty, possibly broken, second hand crap is way over-priced. Could probably get a better deal on eBay, even with shipping costs. At least on eBay people try to keep up their reputation, and won't try to scam you buy selling their broken crap.