Just curious, but what is the best way to improve AM radio reception? I have a builder whos house we've done and of all the sources in his 20k WH audio system, this is the one that he wants perfect.

thanks.

[Link: ccrane.com]

they have anything and everything for AM reception

avdude

Look for two AM antenna terminals on the receiver/tuner: antenna and ground.

Antenna: a long small-gauge single-conductor wire, the higher and longer, the better; up into and across the attic or outdoors is best.

Ground: a length of similar wire, run to the nearest good ground: electrical ground, cold-water pipe, separate ground rod in earth, etc.

Want the ultimate AM reception? Check out the C. Crane Co., and especially the AM antennas.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

Thanks guys. Now tell me how to talk my salesman into buying from CCrane. ;-)

James

Oh, sure, it's easy to beat me when you post a smaller response, but I started first.

So, there! :-)

I checked out the C. Crane Co. web site. Wow, what prices! This must be the Nieman-Marcus of our industry! I think they must be a division of Moster Cable. I guess they would only have to sell a handful of antennas a year to turn a profit. If you think about it, some of the geeks listening to the programming on AM radio are a perfect candidate for their products. They should get Paul Harvey to endorse it, right after his Bose commercial.

Terk actually has one product that works, and it is their passive AM antenna. I do not remember the model, but I am sure it is on their ever-stylish web site; you can also find a link to it on the web site of that beloved southern California talk show icon, Mr. KABC, at www.mrkabc.com (he also recommends ccrane stuff for the serious AMer).

I have one of these antennas. You don't even have to connect it! Place it near the receiver (not in a metal rack, thank you), tune to the station you want, then tune the antenna and orient it till the station is the most clear. This antenna is directional, which is one of the reasons it works so well, but that means that you have to move it for each station. But didn't you say "best" ?

Second would be the "long wire antenna" (see google), which is what Larry was describing. Simply put, the longer the better, and a ground helps immensely.

Ernie...

the terk you speak of is built by C-Crane for the mass market...and you're right, it works very well! Good call, I forgot that one!

avdude

Terk makes a unit, AM ADVANTAGE, that really works well. I'm a big AM fan and I was relly pleased with this unit. Sells for about $60. Unit is tunable so remote placement may be a problem. Have several customers using unit with rave reviews from all.