Electronics

[wagirl]

I have some really old clock radios and listen to the fm stations at night. However, there is so much static if the stations are not tuned in just right. Am wondering why? and when I turn on a lamp then the dumb thing buzzes and hums until I turn it off. I'm just plugging into the reg house outlet. any ideas?

thanks

[fthunt]

I recall radios doing that when I was a kid - florescent lights always made the radio buzz.  If you have old-ist radio - perhaps the filter system is shot - or some electronic equipment has been activated in your area (airport) to cause the interference.

[fthunt]

Does your old radio have a wire attached to the back?  That would be an antenna and if you connect the other end to something - metal - that would "ground' the radio. Sounds goofy but the lamp causing your problem makes me think of this possibility. OR...buy a new radio!  LOL

[ValuSkr]

I like to listen to radio too - all my stations are on FM.  Over the last year or two, I've also noticed that reception is worse / I have to play with the antenna more or move the radio around and even that doesn't work most of the time.  I live in a condo, so neighbors are close by; I attribute the worsening situation to increased interference from wifi.

Many times I use the smart speaker (Alexa) instead.  It picks up radio stations but it's a shame that a person needs wifi anymore to listen to the radio.

[geezerette]

I’m no electronics expert, but I think it has to do with frequencies, signal strength, and, as @ValuSkr said, the amount of interference from other electronic devices.

I live in the country and the radio station I prefer is 100 miles away, so I get plenty of static.  It gets worse when my a/c goes on, or ceiling fan, or if the weather is bad.  Also, my cars get different reception from the same station because they have different antennas.  

I also remember something from years ago about FM having more static at night, but for the life of me, I can’t remember why! 🤗

[SilleeMee]

Most electric clock radios use the powder cord as an antenna. If there is connection place somewhere on the back of the radio for an extra antenna then just connect a wire to that connection site (usually a piece of speaker wire will work). Otherwise try isolating the radio away from anything else electrical, for example, away from a lamp or even try repositioning the radio's electrical power cord away from other electrical things.

@wagirl 

[wagirl]

thanks all---glad to know I'm not the only one dealing with this and some really good reasons that never occurred to me. Yes will be getting a new one  I think, but not for a while and I do have Alexa too---never thought about that---and yes this radio is at least 25 years old----think I actually got it from the Q.