radio performance (also DAB)

[jon C]

Hi all
Even tho I have had my h340 for a couple of years, I hardly ever use the radio (rbox or iriver firmware), because basically the reception is piss-poor.....and I live in a city. Presumably this is an aerial problem (which cant be overcome on the move as it uses the headphones). But I use mine as a static player in the house, so could you improve radio reception? In particular, could you somehow rig it up to a co-axial external aerial socket and expect a big improvement? I notice that most hi-fi tuners have different aerial inputs depending on the ohms of the aerial used. Also, just a punt: is DAB radio a software or a hardware thing: could it potentially be used on the H300 series via rbox?
Thanks in advance
Jon C

[splinter6]

Originally Posted by jon C

Hi all
Even tho I have had my h340 for a couple of years, I hardly ever use the radio (rbox or iriver firmware), because basically the reception is piss-poor.....and I live in a city. Presumably this is an aerial problem (which cant be overcome on the move as it uses the headphones). But I use mine as a static player in the house, so could you improve radio reception? In particular, could you somehow rig it up to a co-axial external aerial socket and expect a big improvement? I notice that most hi-fi tuners have different aerial inputs depending on the ohms of the aerial used. Also, just a punt: is DAB radio a software or a hardware thing: could it potentially be used on the H300 series via rbox?
Thanks in advance
Jon C

I live in a city and my reception is perfect

[tagmisterb]

The headphone cord is the antenna, maybe a longer one would help. Also, straigtening the cord can improve reception.

[Yngwiejo]

...and DAB is a "hardware thing". Also requires radio stations to broadcast digitally in your area. For more information you can check wikipedia. It's the Internet after all!

[jon C]

Sorry, didnt realise that wikipedia would have an article on the possibilities of getting dab on a iRiverH300 via a software upgrade! Obviously all of human life is in there somewhere.
Anyway that was a side issue.....the main thrust of my original post was actually about the possibility of improving radio reception in the house by improving the aerial, or utilising a co-axial roof aerial, anyone know anything about that?
Cheers, Jon C

[travis]

I've thought about building an antenna but my reception is fine and i have no real need to. It would be simple to do, though. You would need a plug, a few inches of wire, and a telescopic antenna. If you connected them and then plugged it into your headphone jack you would have a normal antenna like any FM radio (using the output jack for the audio).

[jon C]

So, basically, the idea is that any length of wire will do the job? Whats different about co-axial then? And if there is no difference, why do hi-fi tuner manufacturers usually give you two options, co-axial or non co-axial? Is it merely because they fear we may be stupid enough to try and force a co-axial socket into a non co-axial port, and then sue them when it breaks?
Jon C

[Denny]

Originally Posted by jon C

So, basically, the idea is that any length of wire will do the job?

In this instance any good length of wire would be ok. Butchering an old aerial off of a small radio and wiring it to a 35mm stereo jack would probably work best (as travis mentioned). Or you could go retro and use a coat-hanger... However, you would then have to use the line out for listening to music.

I have no idea what practical difference a co-axial antenna would make.

[idivorceyou]

switch reception from stereo to mono.

[cowbutt]

Also, if you're using a remote between your headphones and your player, unplug it - I found both my non-LCD and my H1xx LCD remote add significant noise to the FM radio on my H3xx.

[skyedog]

Originally Posted by jon C

So, basically, the idea is that any length of wire will do the job? Whats different about co-axial then? And if there is no difference, why do hi-fi tuner manufacturers usually give you two options, co-axial or non co-axial? Is it merely because they fear we may be stupid enough to try and force a co-axial socket into a non co-axial port, and then sue them when it breaks?
Jon C

I'm sure that's one reason

In fact, the two inputs are to allow for impedence matching. I don't really understand this myself, but antennas and the cable used to connect them to the receiver (or transmitter if you're in the radio business) have a characteristic impedence. A simple folded dipole antenna (like the indoor wire thing they usually give away free) has an impedence of about 300 ohms. A roof antenna with multiple elements has an impedence somewhere around 75 ohms.

Co-axial cable is normally manufactured to have an impedence suitable for connecting up a roof antenna, so about 75 ohms. Wire aerials usually have their "cable" built in as two pieces of wire in parallel with a plastic separator - and that sort of cable, funnily enough, has an impedence of about 300 ohms.

The two connectors on the back of your tuner will be designed to match the appropriate cable.

So what? The theory is that if you match all the impedences, you don't lose as much signal between antenna and receiver, so it should all work better. Mismatch, and you lose signal.

I've found the IRiver to be very sensitive - if used with the right pair of headphones. Some headphone cables are rubbish at picking up radio signals, others are very good. But like for like, the H300 is a good tuner.

And on another point - I'd think it virtually impossible for the IRiver to get DAB after a software change. It'd need the right hardware as well.