RadioBanter - View Single Post - Best radio for talk radio (semi-OT -- AM/FM question)

November 29th 04, 12:20 AM

Frightening the yaks, just had to say:

Always thought the reason car radios did so well is that they were able
to use the car itself as some sort of antanna. Likely won't be rolling
a jalopy into the office to listen... ;^)

Well, not so much the antenna, but the sheet metal works as a
ground plane.

Way back in the day, there'd be any number of articles and
associated charts showing power lobes for CB antennas regarding
the different places you could mount them on your car.
Generally, the more sheet steel the antenna sees in a certain
direction, the bigger the lobe in that direction.

Car radios have to be robustly designed to withstand heat
variation, humidity variation, voltage variation and a dusty,
vibrating environment. So, generally, a bit better than
something you'd pick up at K-Mart for $8.99.

Back when I was in college, my main entertainment center was a
Pioneer Supertuner with casette player, a 10 amp, 12 volt power
supply and some Jensen 6x9 speakers. That was in 80 or so when I
set that up. I still use it in my garage now. Radio is still
great, the casette player is worn out and I'm not interested
enough to fix it.

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This calls for a careful blend of
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