FM\MW Radio

What is FM Radio?

Vivien.Stuart-Mossop — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:25:38 +0000

What is FM Radio? Vivien.Stuart-Mossop 24 October 2018

FM, which stands for Frequency Modulation, is one of the radio broadcasting systems in the UK. FM uses frequencies from 87.5 MHz to 108MHz.

The �鶹�� broadcasts a number of UK-wide network services e.g. Radio 1 and Radio 4. We also broadcast Nations' services, e.g. Radio Scotland, as well as local services, such as Radio Bristol in FM. All FM services are broadcast in stereo and we can carry additional service data within the broadcast.

Receiving FM Services

The �鶹�� network services are available to about 99% of the UK population. Nations and local services are broadcast to relevant areas. To see which FM services are available where you live, use our Transmitter checker tool.

Portable FM Radios
If you are using a portable FM radio it is likely to have a built-in telescopic aerial. Extend the aerial as much as possible for the best reception. If you are experiencing difficulties with your FM radio, see our FM radio help guide.
Hi-fi Systems
Hi-fi systems with an FM tuner usually have a wire or T-shaped ribbon cable as an aerial.
Outside Aerials
A normal television aerial can, to some extent, be used to receive FM radio signals. Most people will not need an outside aerial. For those who do, a specific FM aerial will be the best answer. See our page on aerials for more information.
Travel information
With FM radio, you have the option to listen to local travel reports from other �鶹�� radio services as and when they are broadcast. Only car radios normally give this option.

What is a good FM radio installation?

Vivien.Stuart-Mossop — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:01:54 +0000

What is a good FM radio installation? Vivien.Stuart-Mossop 18 January 2019

FM (frequency modulation) is one method used to broadcast radio. It is also sometimes called VHF (Very High Frequency). It uses frequencies from 87.5 MHz to 108MHz and these are the numbers you tune your radio into.

Many things can affect your reception so it is important to have a good installation or, if using a portable radio, the best possible positioning.

Location
A portable radio should be positioned near a window and it is important to keep the radio away from radiators and refrigerators.
Aerials
If using a telescopic aerial make sure it is pulled up fully and try moving the aerial around to get the best signal.
If using a loft aerial it will only work well if you have a good signal and the loft is free of clutter.
For the best reception mount an aerial outdoors, as high as possible. Keep the aerial away from other aerials and at least 30 inches away from any metal. Avoid pointing towards nearby trees.
Qualified Installer
The �鶹�� cannot recommend individual installers. The CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries) is a recognised trade body which will be able to put you in touch with one of its members in your area.

Troubleshooting FM radio

Vivien.Stuart-Mossop — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:04:59 +0000

Troubleshooting FM radio Vivien.Stuart-Mossop 18 January 2019

FM Radio reception problems can be caused by many things. It is often a process of elimination to find the cause.

First, check whether it is a reception problem by checking your own installation, or whether there are any external problems such as faults in the network or weather.

Certain sounds, such as sibilance, whistling, twittering, popping, hissing, buzzing or clicking can point to a particular problem. Some may indicate the problem is being caused by an interfering signal.

Basic Installation
It is important to check your installation is working properly and that your radio is in the best possible position. We have a basic installation guide to help you with this.
Works and warnings
Check whether there are any known works or warnings that may be causing the problem.
Transmitter faults and frequencies
Use our Transmitter Checker to check the transmitter is not undergoing any work and to see which FM radio services you can receive from your location.
Hi-Fi radios
If you are using a Hi-Fi tuner and stereo reception is hissy, but mono is fine, your aerial may not be powerful enough. You may need to consider a loft or external aerial to solve your reception problem.
Weather
FM radio signals can be affected by fine weather including high pressure and the only solution is to wait for the weather to change, you should not re-tune during this time. Our information on how clear skies and fine weather can affect your radio reception may be useful, please see our Weather Guide.
Pirate Radio
In some urban areas Pirate Radio can be a problem. The regulator, Ofcom, deals with Pirate Radio and you can report it using the Pirate Radio form on the Ofcom website.
Distorted S and Z sounds (sibilance)
This can happen when your radio receives more than one signal. The second signal is picked up by the radio moments after the first. For example you receive one signal directly from the transmitter and another is being reflected off a nearby hill. Try moving the radio or tuning to a different frequency.
Twittering and whistling
This often sounds like birds tweeting and happens if there is another frequency being transmitted near the one you are listening to. This can commonly be caused by high pressure when, during fine weather, radio signals can travel much further than normal. These signals can be both UK and foreign stations. There is nothing that can be done and the problem will go away when the weather changes.
Hissing and fading
This normally means that the signal you are receiving is not strong enough. See our guide on Hissing and Fading.
Buzzing, clicking and pops
This may mean an electrical item in your home or nearby, is interfering with the reception of your FM radio and is causing the buzzing, clicking or pops you can hear. See our guide on Buzzing and Clicking. If you are still having problems see our sister site Radio and Television Investigation Service (RTIS) for further information.
Distortion - fuzzy, gritty, scratchy sound
This is commonly caused by the FM signals being bounced off objects or hillsides and reaching your radio by different paths. Its technical name is multipath distortion. It is often worst in hilly or heavily built-up areas. Indoor portables are especially susceptible.
Distorted sound can also occur if your radio is off-tune. This can increasingly happen if your batteries are beginning to fail. Ensure your radio is correctly tuned-in, and check that your batteries are in good condition, or use mains power.
Humming
If you are hearing a hum it is often linked to an issue with your mains adapter. You may need to check that all parts of your receiving system are fully earthed.

What to do
If your radio is a portable, try moving the aerial to different angles. You could also try a different position in the room. Window sills and high shelves are good places for radios; avoid putting them close to radiators or electronic equipment such as computers, mobile/cordless phones or TV sets.

The telescopic aerial fitted to stereo portables is a compromise and the radio will often only give really good results if connected to an external aerial. If that’s not possible, switch to mono as it will usually sound better. Some sets do this automatically.
Make sure you are tuned to the best frequency for your area, as you can often pick up more than one signal. Use our Transmitter Checker to find the best frequencies for your location.
Qualified Installer
The �鶹�� cannot recommend individual installers. The CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries) is a recognised trade body which can put you in touch with one of its members in your area.

FM Radio in the car

Vivien.Stuart-Mossop — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:23:15 +0000

FM Radio in the car Vivien.Stuart-Mossop 18 January 2019

The FM radio reception in your car can be affected while travelling.  When driving through an area with a poor signal, the reception can deteriorate. Once you have moved away from that area, your signal strength should return. 

Turning the Radio Data System (RDS) on will help your car radio find the best signal for the service you are listening to.

Fading and Hissing
If you normally can receive a service, but you are now finding it is fading in and out, or you can hear hissing, this could be down to one of three things. The first is a fault with the local FM transmitter. Secondly, if you know your location, you can use our transmitter checker to see whether there is a problem. Thirdly, if not, then you will need to check the radio and aerial to confirm they are both working properly.
Interference
Poor FM reception can also be caused by equipment used in the vehicle. For example, phone chargers or dash cams sometimes cause interference and affect your radio signal. Try unplugging the items to see if one of them is causing any interference.
Reception in Tunnels
Depending on the specific tunnel and station, Radio reception can cut out or be lost when driving through tunnels. If the tunnel is deep, the radio waves will not reach into the centre, so your radio cuts out. Some tunnels are fitted with signal distribution systems both for FM and DAB so the signal will not be lost while in the tunnel. Or it could be “To help maintain the radio signals within the tunnel”
Tuning
Most FM car radios have a Radio Data System (RDS) built in. We use the RDS to ‘tell’ your radio if there is a better or stronger frequency for the radio service you are listening to, as you travel around. However, if you are using a frequency, you have preset and there is no radio service on that frequency in your location, then the RDS may not work. At that point you will need to tune your radio until you find a signal.
Aerials
If you are having continuous reception problems, check your car aerial for damage. If you have an extendable aerial, make sure it is fully extended to give the best possible reception.
Local Radio Travel News
The RDS system is set up to detect local radio travel news. The way to turn traffic announcements on and off on varies between radios. Check your car manual for yours.

What is a good Medium Wave Installation?

Vivien.Stuart-Mossop — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:32:12 +0000

What is a good Medium Wave Installation? Vivien.Stuart-Mossop 18 January 2019

AM (Amplitude Modulation) is a method of broadcasting radio and covers Medium Wave (MW). Most AM radios have in-built aerials so the location of the radio is often the most critical factor for a good AM installation.

AM is the oldest method of broadcasting radio in use in the UK and is commonly used to describe the medium wave (MW) band.

AM reception is straightforward and no external aerials are needed; you can usually get some form of signal wherever you live.

Most AM radios are portable and reception is governed by its location in your home. Portable radios usually have the AM aerial built in; it is directional, so you need to turn the radio to get the best reception.

Hi-fi systems often have a plastic loop with a wire that you plug into a socket, or connect via terminals on the back of the system. Move the loop around until you find the best reception.

A portable radio should be positioned near a window and it is important to keep the radio away from radiators and refrigerators.

Buzzing and clicking on your Radio

Vivien.Stuart-Mossop — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:48:38 +0000

Buzzing and clicking on your Radio Vivien.Stuart-Mossop 18 January 2019

Various items in the home can cause electrical interference; you may hear buzzing, clicking and pops through your radio as a result.

Some of the most common electrical items that could be affecting your reception are listed below. Determining which of them is causing the problem is a process of elimination. First, switch everything off in your home to see whether the problem goes away; then switch things on again, one by one to see whether it returns.

If you can’t find the problem in your home, ask your neighbours to do the same; the problem could be in a nearby property.

Thermostat

The buzzing and clicking lasts from a few seconds to a minute at a time. Switch off heating systems and see whether the problem goes away. If the problem persists when you turn the heating system back on, the problem could be with the thermostat, which may need to be repaired or replaced.

Light switches

To find out if a particular switch is causing the problem, try turning the lights off one at a time.

LED lights

Many people are now using low power LED lights instead of the more traditional varieties. However, if the original light used a transformer rather than directly running off the mains, it is possible the transformer is causing the interference. This is because the transformer would have been designed to operate at the higher power and not the lower power the LED lights use. This has the potential to cause electrical interference.

Street lamps

Street lamps can sometimes cause buzzing and crackling sounds on your FM radio. Keeping a note of when each lamp comes on and goes off will help to identify whether this is the cause of your interference. If it is, contact your local council.

Passing traffic

A faulty or uncompressed engine can cause a distinct buzzing 'whine' which varies with engine speed - motorcycles tend to be the worst. Try to move your radio away from the street or use an external aerial.

Electric motor

An electric motor is used in many appliances such as electric lawnmowers, washing machines, drills and hairdryers etc. A faulty motor can cause electrical interference. Check any appliance with an electric motor by moving your radio away from it to see whether the sound improves. If you have several appliances with electric motors you may need to turn them all off and try the above one at a time.

With all of these potential causes, it is worth keeping a log for at least two weeks to determine whether there are any patterns or trends to the interference.

Troubleshooting MW Radio

Vivien.Stuart-Mossop — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:37:34 +0000

Troubleshooting MW Radio Vivien.Stuart-Mossop 28 January 2019

MW Radio reception problems can often be difficult to diagnose because reception can vary depending on where you live and the time of day. However, checking to see whether the local transmitter is operating correctly is a good first step.
If you are experiencing a hissing noise or fading of the signal it may be a reception problem.

Basic Installation

It is important to check your installation is working properly and that your radio is in the best possible location. We have a basic installation guide you can read.
Works and warnings
Check whether there are any known works or warnings that might be causing the problem.
Transmitter faults
By using our Transmitter Checker, you can check what MW radio services are available at your location. It will also show you any transmitter faults.
Weather
AM reception can vary a great deal from day to night because of differences in the atmosphere. You may get good, clear reception during the day, but after sunset the signal may fade or become distorted. This is why you can often hear radio stations from outside the UK at night. Our information on how clear skies and fine weather can affect your radio reception may be useful, please see our Weather Guide.
Buzzing, clicking and pops
This may mean an electrical item in your home, or nearby, is interfering with your MW radio. This is causing the buzzing, clicking or pops sounds you can hear. See our guide on Buzzing and Clicking. If you are still having problems see our sister site RTIS for further information.

Radio reception problems due to high pressure

Vivien.Stuart-Mossop — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:25:57 +0000

Radio reception problems due to high pressure Vivien.Stuart-Mossop 28 January 2019

Radio reception can very occasionally be affected by certain weather conditions which can cause radio signals to travel further than normal.

There is nothing that can be done but to wait until the weather changes.

Effect of Weather on Reception.
Weather-related problems tend to happen mainly in the summer, when high pressure can cause a radio signal to travel further than it would normally. This is known as tropospheric ducting. For more information see our guide on tropospheric ducting.
If this distant radio signal is on the same frequency as the one you are listening to it can cause a reception problem. This is because your radio will struggle decoding two radio stations on the same frequency. This is known as co-channel interference
The effect can last from a few hours to a few days and can cause intermittent effects on the service during that time.
What to do:
There is nothing that can be done but to wait until the weather changes. We have no control over it.
If your problem is due to the weather, it should go away once the weather changes.
Works and warnings
Check our works and warning page to see if there any current weather problems.

AM radio in the car

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 09:55:20 +0000

AM radio in the car Anonymous (not verified) 29 January 2019

Listening to Medium Wave (MW) in a car can sometimes be difficult due to electrical interference, driving through tunnels, or from obstructions, like bridges. If you can’t listen by another means, like FM, DAB or �鶹�� Sounds, you may find the guidance on this page helpful.

Interference from car electrical systems

Interference to MW reception in a car can be caused by many electrical systems within your car. From the ignition system to windscreen wipers or indicators. It usually sounds like whining or crackling sound, depending on the cause. Turning each element on and off to see if it goes away is one method to determine the cause but you may need to speak to an auto specialist

Interference from other electrical equipment

Other causes of interference to MW radio in the car can include mobile phone chargers and dashcams. Check that connections are secure and cables are not damaged and see if the interference goes away of you move the equipment to other areas in the car.

On the move

MW radio can also be affected by structures such as bridges and tunnels.

In simplistic terms, the size of the MW wavelength is bigger than the radius of the entrance and struggles to reach into the tunnel or under the bridge. FM wavelengths are smaller so can usually reach in further by bouncing along the tunnel walls before they lose too much power

There’s nothing that can be done to improve this until you drive out from the tunnel or away from the bridge.

Hissing and Fading on your FM radio

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 15:14:17 +0000

Hissing and Fading on your FM radio Anonymous (not verified) 29 January 2019

FM reception is quite generally reliable but can be disrupted by a weak signal.

This can be due to:
Reduced transmitter power
Use our Transmitter Tool to see whether your local transmitter is currently affected by maintenance work.
Stereo Signal
Try moving the radio to another position, such as near a window, higher up, or another room. If you get hiss when listening to a stereo signal try switching to mono. Stereo reception needs a stronger signal than mono.
Aerial
If you have a portable radio you will be able to pick up more of the receivable signal if your telescopic aerial is fully extended. For hi-fi systems check your aerial isn’t broken or become loose. If you have an external or loft aerial check they are functioning correctly.
Tuning to the wrong transmitter
Use our Transmitter Tool to check you are tuned to the best frequency for your area, as you can often pick up more than one signal.
Weather
Very occasionally, the weather, usually high pressure, can result in a weakened signal. There is nothing anyone can do about this and the only answer is to wait for the weather to change. For more information see our guide on how weather can affect radio reception.

FM\MW Radio

What is FM Radio?

What is a good FM radio installation?

Troubleshooting FM radio

Basic Installation

Works and warnings

Transmitter faults and frequencies

Hi-Fi radios

Weather

Pirate Radio

Distorted S and Z sounds (sibilance)

Twittering and whistling

Hissing and fading

Buzzing, clicking and pops

Distortion - fuzzy, gritty, scratchy sound

Humming

What to do

Qualified Installer

FM Radio in the car

Fading and Hissing

Interference

Reception in Tunnels

Tuning

Aerials

Local Radio Travel News

What is a good Medium Wave Installation?

Buzzing and clicking on your Radio

Troubleshooting MW Radio

Radio reception problems due to high pressure

AM radio in the car

Hissing and Fading on your FM radio

Reduced transmitter power

Stereo Signal

Aerial

Tuning to the wrong transmitter

Weather