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Many folks reading this have an AM radio with an internal ferrite rod or ferrite bar antenna. Like this -
When away from local AM stations or when trying to hear distant stations, these are less than swell... If you have a higher end portable radio - like the TECSUN 600 series or the SANGEAN ATS-909, you may attach a long wire antenna (with a tuner if desired) to the supplied radio port for an external antenna.
If you have a smaller portable like a SONY SRF- series, there is no method to attach a long wire antenna. You can build or buy a so-called signal booster. This is a loop antenna that inductively couples to your smaller AM radio antenna..
First, with some wire, a cardboard box and a variable capacitor, you can roll your own for indoor use:
Improve AM Radio Reception with a DIY Loop Antenna! - YouTube
For a field-expedient fix if outdoors:
A super-cheap, super-easy, very effective AM radio antenna - YouTube
There are multiple commercial products to be found:
The grandaddy of these is the Select-a-tenna
still sold by CCrane
(instructions - SELANTIN.QXD (ccrane.com))
Other, Chinese made boosters, these look very much alike as form follows function- these are passive devices, no battery/power required to work.
***
"Active loop" antennas have an amplifier in line. These have an added cost and will raise the background noise level along with any desired AM station signal. Also, many of these are engineered for Shortwave bands, so read product descriptions carefully.
SHOP AROUND - prices vary wildly by vendor.
My suggestion is to make your own.
If you use a crystal radio, a loop antenna can be directly atached
Crystal Radio with "Spiralgraphic" Loop Antenna - YouTube
Turn AM Radio Loop Antenna Into Crystal Set, Great For Preppers - YouTube
(Nicely done, recommend for your time to watch)
See also
Tecsun AM Radio Broadcast Band Loop Antenna Demo - YouTube
AM Radio Directional Loop Antenna Demo Homemade..Make Your Own For A Few Dollars! And They Work. - YouTube
Several booster device in side by side 'test'
SV2CZF AM Ferrite Antenna Review And Comparison With Other AM Loop Antennas - YouTube
When away from local AM stations or when trying to hear distant stations, these are less than swell... If you have a higher end portable radio - like the TECSUN 600 series or the SANGEAN ATS-909, you may attach a long wire antenna (with a tuner if desired) to the supplied radio port for an external antenna.
If you have a smaller portable like a SONY SRF- series, there is no method to attach a long wire antenna. You can build or buy a so-called signal booster. This is a loop antenna that inductively couples to your smaller AM radio antenna..
First, with some wire, a cardboard box and a variable capacitor, you can roll your own for indoor use:
Improve AM Radio Reception with a DIY Loop Antenna! - YouTube
For a field-expedient fix if outdoors:
A super-cheap, super-easy, very effective AM radio antenna - YouTube
There are multiple commercial products to be found:
The grandaddy of these is the Select-a-tenna
still sold by CCrane
(instructions - SELANTIN.QXD (ccrane.com))
Other, Chinese made boosters, these look very much alike as form follows function- these are passive devices, no battery/power required to work.
***
"Active loop" antennas have an amplifier in line. These have an added cost and will raise the background noise level along with any desired AM station signal. Also, many of these are engineered for Shortwave bands, so read product descriptions carefully.
SHOP AROUND - prices vary wildly by vendor.
My suggestion is to make your own.
If you use a crystal radio, a loop antenna can be directly atached
Crystal Radio with "Spiralgraphic" Loop Antenna - YouTube
Turn AM Radio Loop Antenna Into Crystal Set, Great For Preppers - YouTube
(Nicely done, recommend for your time to watch)
See also
Tecsun AM Radio Broadcast Band Loop Antenna Demo - YouTube
AM Radio Directional Loop Antenna Demo Homemade..Make Your Own For A Few Dollars! And They Work. - YouTube
Several booster device in side by side 'test'
SV2CZF AM Ferrite Antenna Review And Comparison With Other AM Loop Antennas - YouTube