Portable Radio

[Blue5]

We have a normal car type radio on board that is great for local FM stations but reception on MW/LW is awful. Options seem to be upgrade the present set or get a battery operated portable.

Can anyone recommend a tried and tested portable for use on board.

 

[Rowana]

I have a Roberts FM/MW/LW radio/tape player. I can set it at night to record the early morning Shipping forecast on 198 LW, then listen to it as I'm having my breakfast.

I also use it in pure tape recorder mode to record the HMC weather forecast from the VHF. Not quality recording by any means, but good enough to get the information I need.

Works for me!

HTH

 

[Ubergeekian]

We have a normal car type radio on board that is great for local FM stations but reception on MW/LW is awful. Options seem to be upgrade the present set or get a battery operated portable.

Can anyone recommend a tried and tested portable for use on board.

Tesco do a "Tesco Value" FM/MW/LW portable for seven quid.

It's rubbish. Don't buy it.

 

[lw395]

We have a Sony portable, takes 3 or 4 AA's so not a big one. Was about £20 about 10 years ago
It's really good in all respects but for the volume being quite low on R4 LW. You don't want the engine running if you want to hear it.
If you can find an olde fashioned electrical shoppe that sells radio's, pay the extra to shop there, explain what you want and try a few.
One with socket and adaptor to run off 12V is a good idea.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Or, run a decent LW/MW aerial (ferrite rod?) to your 'car' radio?

http://www.maplin.co.uk:80/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=859&C=Froogle&U=859&T=Module&j=true

 

[Blue5]

Or, run a decent LW/MW aerial (ferrite rod?) to your 'car' radio?

http://www.maplin.co.uk:80/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=859&C=Froogle&U=859&T=Module&j=true

Thanks Ken, I like the thought of spending £1.99 to sort the problem and for £1.99 I would probably be not too upset if it didnt work BUT

Where and how in the system does said rod go. (in simple terms please) How do I fit it?

 

[William_H]

Or, run a decent LW/MW aerial (ferrite rod?) to your 'car' radio?

http://www.maplin.co.uk:80/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=859&C=Froogle&U=859&T=Module&j=true

Ken is right in that car radios are generally excellent receivers for poor reception areas on LW/MW. However the suggestion of fitting a ferrite rod is not practical. A ferrite rod is a substitute for a wire aerial in a portable radio. A wire aerial is far better.
Get 4 or 5 metres (more is better) of insulated wire and plug it into the aerial socket of the car radio. This can be run around inside the cabin of a f/g boat or run outside up the mast. If that doesn't solve the problem then go a to a car wrecking yard and get an older type car radio. (With a mechanical dial) Try that. The older radios do not require a keep memory power supply or have to be re tuned every ti9me you turn power off. (and use less current when operating) An older radio may have a hole in the bottom with a small screw driver adjustment. This is to tune the radio to the aerial and cable. Select the highest frequency station on MW and turn it for rest reception. (Check your existing car radio) good luck olewill

 

[Blue5]

Ken is right in that car radios are generally excellent receivers for poor reception areas on LW/MW. However the suggestion of fitting a ferrite rod is not practical. A ferrite rod is a substitute for a wire aerial in a portable radio. A wire aerial is far better.
Get 4 or 5 metres (more is better) of insulated wire and plug it into the aerial socket of the car radio. This can be run around inside the cabin of a f/g boat or run outside up the mast. If that doesn't solve the problem then go a to a car wrecking yard and get an older type car radio. (With a mechanical dial) Try that. The older radios do not require a keep memory power supply or have to be re tuned every ti9me you turn power off. (and use less current when operating) An older radio may have a hole in the bottom with a small screw driver adjustment. This is to tune the radio to the aerial and cable. Select the highest frequency station on MW and turn it for rest reception. (Check your existing car radio) good luck olewill

Thanks Will, a good explanation, I will try extracting said radio and see what aerial arrangementa are in place.

 

[shmoo]

Do folks think there would be a market for a fixed tuned 198kHz radio? Could have a built in ferrite antenna, and options for external random wire or rail mounted active antenna (optional at extra cost). Only control would be combined ON-OFF-VOLUME. Robust and splash resistant. About A6 size and 20mm thick.

 

[bitman]

degen de1103

i use this http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4288 radio onboard. works very well