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Why does static go away when I get near the radio?

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by SlickRCBD, Feb 28, 2024.

  1. SlickRCBD Gems: 29/31
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    Remove all ads!
    I'm not sure if I should post this to "random babbling" or here.

    Yesterday I did a partial cleaning of mom's porch (i guess I should call it mine now, I'm supposed to sign for the title to the house on Friday as mom died last month) because of unusually warm weather for February and I wanted to enjoy it.
    While doing so I put a partially broken clock/radio (the controls for the alarm are partially broken, so I'm less concerned about it getting damaged from dust/dirt on a filthy porch) on the porch to listen to music while I swept.
    One thing that drives me nuts since I was a child that I never understood is that I tune in to some radio stations and it sounds fine, until I walk a foot or two away from it and it becomes staticky. If I step back to adjust the cord/antenna (the power cord doubles as the antenna) the static goes away once I get within a foot of the radio.

    I can understand the static going away if I touch the antenna because my body acts as an extension for the antenna, but what about when I just approach the thing? How am I enhancing reception?
    It drives me nuts because I have no idea how to adjust the cord/antenna to get a clear signal.
     
    SlickRCBD, Feb 28, 2024
    #1
  2. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    As you know, radio uses electromagnetic waves to transmit the data. Those waves are affected to a greater or lesser effect by everything they encounter in the environment via scattering, reflection, etc. You standing in a certain spot affects the signal in such a way that the radio receives just a bit better. You could be blocking something causing interference or enhancing something that is improving the signal.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Feb 29, 2024
    #2
    Taluntain likes this.
  3. Dice

    Dice ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    I disagree with you.
     
    Dice, Mar 1, 2024
    #3

  4. SlickRCBD Gems: 29/31
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    I did not think about blocking interference, but how can I be enhancing something that improves the signal?
    I honestly don't know what direction the signal I was trying to pick up was coming from. There was a brick wall a foot to the west of the radio and the signal improved when I approached it from the north on the east side.
    Code:
    Wall: _________________
Radio:  R
me:       <--M
North is ->
West is ^
South is <-
    I'm NW of Chicago, if the transmitter is located in Chicago proper but it could be in a suburb. WLS 87.7 FM.

    I like the explanation of what you disagree with and what it is instead.
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2024
    SlickRCBD, Mar 1, 2024
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    Dice likes this.
  5. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Blackthorne TA, Mar 2, 2024
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  6. Dice

    Dice ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    BTA, you didn't bite. I was going to tell you that I hadn't debated with you in a few weeks and was missing our charming recourse. :D :D
     
    Dice, Mar 3, 2024
    #6
  7. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    :) I just figured you and Slick are in cahoots trying to draw me in.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Mar 4, 2024
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  8. Dice

    Dice ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    :lol: Actually if you read Slicks response to quoting me, he's saying that he agrees with you.
     
    Dice, Mar 4, 2024
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  9. SlickRCBD Gems: 29/31
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    Nah, I was mouthing off in a sarcastic way because I found his post extremely unhelpful and saying why I found it unhelpful.
     
    SlickRCBD, Mar 6, 2024
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    Dice likes this.
  10. Dice

    Dice ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    :lol::lol::lol:
     
    Dice, Mar 7, 2024
    #10
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