Quality AM radio

[MOP CAP]

Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

 

On Wed, 11 Oct 2017 20:44:01 -0700, MOP CAP <email@domain.com> wrote:

Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

I live in a rural area, but it sounds like your cabin is even more
rural. No matter what kind of radio you get, you will not get many
stations without an outdoor antenna. The good news, for AM, all you
really need is a piece of wire strung outside. 20 or more feet of wire
between a few sturdy trees works fine, then run it into the house by
drilling a 1/4" hole and caulk around it once it's inside. Pretty much
any sort of wire will work outdoors, insulated or bare. Use some
insulators on the ends. I'd use insulated wire coming in thru the wall.

If your AM radio has no antenna connector, but has a telescoping
antenna, just coil the wire around the telescoping ant numerous times. I
do this in my barns, because they are metal buildings. Without the
outdoor wire, I'd get no stations. That wire works for FM too, but not
quite as good.

If you use trees, be sure to leave some slack in the wire. Trees sway in
winds, and if the wire is tight, it may break.

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 12/10/2017 2:44 PM, MOP CAP wrote:

Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

**Assuming you have no internet capability (the best way to receive AM),
then your next best option is to find an old, 1960s vintage, solid
state, car radio. Since few car radios had FM capability back then, the
AM qualities were excellent. If you have lots of cash, then one of these
will provide superb AM performance:

http://classichifi.info/SansuiTU-X1.shtml

I had one on the bench last year. Surprisingly impressive and quite
sophisticated (even has a synchronised detector!) AM section. A bit much
for a cabin radio though.

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

 

[John-Del]

On Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 12:31:43 AM UTC-4, Trevor Wilson wrote:

On 12/10/2017 2:44 PM, MOP CAP wrote:
Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP


**Assuming you have no internet capability (the best way to receive AM),
then your next best option is to find an old, 1960s vintage, solid
state, car radio. Since few car radios had FM capability back then, the
AM qualities were excellent. If you have lots of cash, then one of these
will provide superb AM performance:

http://classichifi.info/SansuiTU-X1.shtml

I had one on the bench last year. Surprisingly impressive and quite
sophisticated (even has a synchronised detector!) AM section. A bit much
for a cabin radio though.

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

I agree with the vintage part Trevor, but I'd go with a typical house radio.. I have a bunch of early 60s AM transistor radios and many of them feature an RF amplifier. An Emerson 911 for instance picks up as good as any radio I've ever had, and they're pretty cheap if you catch one just right.

Also, a Select-A-Tenna supposedly works wonders for DXing although I've never tried one:

https://www.amazon.com/Select-A-Tenna-Regular-Model/dp/B0015A81HI

 

[J.B. Wood]

On 10/11/2017 11:44 PM, MOP CAP wrote:

Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

Hello, and you want a radio of requisite sensitivity so you can enjoy
the "quality' of AM radio? Can you parse languages other than English?
Just kidding. In addition to the advice already provided by others, you
might want to check with a seller like C.C. Crane. I assumed by "AM"
you meant the medium wave (535-1700 kHz) band. A multi-band
"communications" type receiver (with an RF gain control) might be a
solution but likely isn't the least expensive one if bought new. In any
event, reception using a simple, old-fashioned long wire antenna will
most often provide better performance than a built-in telescoping whip
antenna. Another possibility is to use a passive (no batteries
required) variable capacitor tuned loop antenna. These can be built or
bought, can be used indoors, and I've seen them dramatically improve the
MW band performance of inexpensive transistor portables. The radio is
simply positioned at the base of the loop (radio's internal ferrite loop
becomes inductively coupled to the antenna so no wire connection to the
radio is required), the radio is tuned in the vicinity of the AM station
of interest, and the loop capacitor is adjusted for maximum signal.
Sometimes the radio needs to be slightly repositioned to optimize the
radio-to-loop coupling. And finally you can rotate the radio and tuned
loop together for the strongest reception. Please let us known what
works for you. And one last thing: Don't rule out the use of FM
(assuming you like whatever program content is being offered) as I've
seen situations where AM reception is lousy but FM works. Sincerely,

--
J. B. Wood e-mail: arl_123234@hotmail.com

 

[pfjw@aol.com]

On Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 11:44:10 PM UTC-4, MOP CAP wrote:

Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

Mpffff... This is an easy one. If you are looking, primarily, for good reception over top-notch sound (mostly wasted on AM anyway), and this is to be a single-purpose device, look for something like a solid-state GE "Super Radio" or similar. They are fair-enough sounding and far better than average at AM DXing capabilities. Low in cost for very good results.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GE-SUPERADIO-SUPER-RADIO-LONG-RANGE-AM-FM-HI-PERFORMANCE-VERY-NICE-/401419473964?hash=item5d7677142c:g:e9AAAOSwbRJZvvX8 I keep one of these at our summer house that is no slouch at all. The AM band is pretty busy, especially at night.

A step up from there would be a multi-band radio such as a Zenith TransOceanic. Of those, the ne-plus-ultra would be the RD7000Y - and why that one? All silicon, has the tunable weather band, and will give you some amusing shortwave capacity.

https://www.ebay.com/dsc/i.html?_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=19027&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&_nkw=Zenith+RD7000Y&_ex_kw=&_in_kw=1 One of these has lived at my work desk for over 20 years.

Hard-Core would be a Communications Receiver, something in the Hallicrafters, Collins or National lines - which are a whole different can of worms, do want an outside antenna, and likely will contain tubes rather than transistors.

And, one of these will truly separate fly-poop from pepper. Give it an 80' longwire and you will be getting AM from Hawaii - or thereabouts.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

 

On Thursday, 12 October 2017 12:32:06 UTC+1, pf...@aol.com wrote:

On Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 11:44:10 PM UTC-4, MOP CAP wrote:

Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

Mpffff... This is an easy one. If you are looking, primarily, for good reception over top-notch sound (mostly wasted on AM anyway), and this is to be a single-purpose device, look for something like a solid-state GE "Super Radio" or similar. They are fair-enough sounding and far better than average at AM DXing capabilities. Low in cost for very good results.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GE-SUPERADIO-SUPER-RADIO-LONG-RANGE-AM-FM-HI-PERFORMANCE-VERY-NICE-/401419473964?hash=item5d7677142c:g:e9AAAOSwbRJZvvX8 I keep one of these at our summer house that is no slouch at all. The AM band is pretty busy, especially at night.

A step up from there would be a multi-band radio such as a Zenith TransOceanic. Of those, the ne-plus-ultra would be the RD7000Y - and why that one? All silicon, has the tunable weather band, and will give you some amusing shortwave capacity.

https://www.ebay.com/dsc/i.html?_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=19027&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&_nkw=Zenith+RD7000Y&_ex_kw=&_in_kw=1 One of these has lived at my work desk for over 20 years.

Hard-Core would be a Communications Receiver, something in the Hallicrafters, Collins or National lines - which are a whole different can of worms, do want an outside antenna, and likely will contain tubes rather than transistors.

And, one of these will truly separate fly-poop from pepper. Give it an 80' longwire and you will be getting AM from Hawaii - or thereabouts.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

The old Vega/Ocean radios are very cheap dx sets. Some mericans might not like their origins. But don't worry, they don't run Kaspersky.


NT

 

[pfjw@aol.com]

On Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 9:09:19 AM UTC-4, tabb...@gmail.com wrote:

The old Vega/Ocean radios are very cheap dx sets. Some mericans might not like their origins. But don't worry, they don't run Kaspersky.

I keep one of these as well - a small hand-held - and, yes, it does very well. Competitive, but not better than my Siemens RK747. They are not easy to find in good condition, nor do they wear well. I paid $2 + about 4 hours of very persnickety work fixing the battery compartment and re-securing the guts on mine. Pure blind luck that it worked at all - but it does, and well..

https://www.doctsf.com/grandlivre/fiche.php?ref=40940 (not mine).

But if we are going into Euro-Exotics, the very best consumer-grade DX radio I have in all bands is this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grundig-Satellit-700-World-Receiver-FM-SW-Radio-/162699281459?hash=item25e1a20433:g:QTUAAOSwls5Y6-Vk

The second best is the Zenith RD7000Y (and the best for sound overall). Followed by the Grundig YB500.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRUNDIG-YATCH-BOY-500-YB500-RADIO-IN-BOX-AND-PAPERWORK-/142532921023?hash=item212f9fc6bf:gqEAAOSwdKZZ2tbY

Point being that the smaller radios have smaller sound - if that is a consideration.

Repeat: Communications Receivers are a whole different thing. If the OP wants to pull stations from the moon or Mars, that should definitely be a consideration.

 

[MOP CAP]

Thanks all.
CP

 

On Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 10:42:32 AM UTC-4, MOP CAP wrote:

Thanks all.
CP

first depends what you mean by quality,
able to hear weak stations?
or high fidelity?

in either case, the big problem with AM is electrical interference which will sound like buzz noise usually.

if you are out in the woods, your own stuff will be the only source so you have a chance to control it

light dimmer, wall warts, fluorescent lights computers, all these are potential sources of electrical interference.

use a battery operated radio and turn off the electricity and you will be surprised what you can hear especially at night.



m

 

[micky]

In sci.electronics.repair, on Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:31:26 +1100, Trevor
Wilson <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote:

On 12/10/2017 2:44 PM, MOP CAP wrote:
Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP


**Assuming you have no internet capability (the best way to receive AM),
then your next best option is to find an old, 1960s vintage, solid
state, car radio. Since few car radios had FM capability back then, the
AM qualities were excellent. If you have lots of cash, then one of these
will provide superb AM performance:

http://classichifi.info/SansuiTU-X1.shtml

Quite a radio!

But as to the car radio, aren't they so good because of the metal body
of the car that surrounds them? A ground plain? Or is that only for
FM. I know for FM every car radio I had worked better than every table
radio except 1, but I didn't have a chance to compare AM

I had one on the bench last year. Surprisingly impressive and quite
sophisticated (even has a synchronised detector!) AM section. A bit much
for a cabin radio though.

 

[pfjw@aol.com]

On Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 12:04:43 PM UTC-4, micky wrote:

But as to the car radio, aren't they so good because of the metal body
of the car that surrounds them? A ground plain? Or is that only for
FM. I know for FM every car radio I had worked better than every table
radio except 1, but I didn't have a chance to compare AM

I had one on the bench last year. Surprisingly impressive and quite
sophisticated (even has a synchronised detector!) AM section. A bit much
for a cabin radio though.

OK - here is "the deal" about car radios. Keep a few things in mind:

a) Moving cars are noisy, very noisy. Noisier than any listening room in your house by a very large margin.
b) Cars, in general, are tiny as compared to about any room in your house other than, perhaps, the bathroom.
c) Cars move, by their very nature. So they are pretty much always in motion relative to the transmitter by both angle and distance.

So, car radio manufacturers worry very, very little about s/n ratios, stereo separation, muting capacity, stereo/mono switching or any of the niceties found on even a relatively simple home tuner. They DO focus on sensitivity and AFC, some even do AVC based on ambient noise within the car. And, the bandwidth of the typical car radio after filtering is pretty wretched in many cases.

Meaning: a car radio will *receive* acceptably (for a car) under conditions that would have a decent tuner on full mute - or if the mute is disabled, making so much noise as to be intolerable.

Of course, what with HD radio and the concurrent 'cliff effect' of HD listening, how this works is even more obvious.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

 

[micky]

In sci.electronics.repair, on Thu, 12 Oct 2017 06:09:17 -0700 (PDT),
tabbypurr@gmail.com wrote:

On Thursday, 12 October 2017 12:32:06 UTC+1, pf...@aol.com wrote:
On Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 11:44:10 PM UTC-4, MOP CAP wrote:

Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

Mpffff... This is an easy one. If you are looking, primarily, for good reception over top-notch sound (mostly wasted on AM anyway), and this is to be a single-purpose device, look for something like a solid-state GE "Super Radio" or similar. They are fair-enough sounding and far better than average at AM DXing capabilities. Low in cost for very good results.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GE-SUPERADIO-SUPER-RADIO-LONG-RANGE-AM-FM-HI-PERFORMANCE-VERY-NICE-/401419473964?hash=item5d7677142c:g:e9AAAOSwbRJZvvX8 I keep one of these at our summer house that is no slouch at all. The AM band is pretty busy, especially at night.

I've heard of the GE Superradio, but didn't think I needed anything more
at that time. Is it especially good on FM as well as AM?

A step up from there would be a multi-band radio such as a Zenith TransOceanic. Of those, the ne-plus-ultra would be the RD7000Y - and why that one? All silicon, has the tunable weather band, and will give you some amusing shortwave capacity.

https://www.ebay.com/dsc/i.html?_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=19027&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&_nkw=Zenith+RD7000Y&_ex_kw=&_in_kw=1 One of these has lived at my work desk for over 20 years.

I still have my 1930 Hallicrafter shortwave, not divided by bands as
such, but 4 positions of the switch and continuous tuning from one to
another.

>> Hard-Core would be a Communications Receiver, something in the Hallicrafters, Collins or National lines - which are a whole different can of worms, do want an outside antenna, and likely will contain tubes rather than transistors.

I don't have the best antenna. I took 4-wire phone line, solder two
pair together at one end and one pair at the radio-end so it goes down
and back twice and it was stretched down the stairs. I think I should
more it to the attic.

And, one of these will truly separate fly-poop from pepper. Give it an 80' longwire and you will be getting AM from Hawaii - or thereabouts.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

The old Vega/Ocean radios are very cheap dx sets. Some mericans might not like their origins. But don't worry, they don't run Kaspersky.

I run Kaspersky but I lie about what I'm doing so when they report back,
it will just confuse the Kremlin.

>NT

 

On Thursday, 12 October 2017 19:32:11 UTC+1, micky wrote:

In sci.electronics.repair, on Thu, 12 Oct 2017 06:09:17 -0700 (PDT),
tabbypurr wrote:
On Thursday, 12 October 2017 12:32:06 UTC+1, pf...@aol.com wrote:
On Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 11:44:10 PM UTC-4, MOP CAP wrote:

I don't have the best antenna. I took 4-wire phone line, solder two
pair together at one end and one pair at the radio-end so it goes down
and back twice and it was stretched down the stairs. I think I should
more it to the attic.

I've used lengths of plastic twine at the ends as insulators. Effective, always to hand, easy, cheap.

The old Vega/Ocean radios are very cheap dx sets. Some mericans might not like their origins. But don't worry, they don't run Kaspersky.

I run Kaspersky but I lie about what I'm doing so when they report back,
it will just confuse the Kremlin.

 

On Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:31:26 +1100, Trevor Wilson
<trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote:

On 12/10/2017 2:44 PM, MOP CAP wrote:
Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP


**Assuming you have no internet capability (the best way to receive AM),
then your next best option is to find an old, 1960s vintage, solid
state, car radio. Since few car radios had FM capability back then, the
AM qualities were excellent. If you have lots of cash, then one of these
will provide superb AM performance:

http://classichifi.info/SansuiTU-X1.shtml

I had one on the bench last year. Surprisingly impressive and quite
sophisticated (even has a synchronised detector!) AM section. A bit much
for a cabin radio though.

I was thinking about using a car radio too. But why limit yourself to
AM. Get an AM-FM. AM radios these days are mostly talk shows and
religious programming. You;ll get more music on FM. If you know someone
who has a junked car, offer them a few bucks for the radio. I'd get the
antenna too. Then all you need is a 12V power supply. Those can easily
be found. In the 70's nearly everyone had one of them, so they could use
an auto CB radio in their house.

If your cabin has no electricity, any car battery can be used to power
this radio, as long as you can charge it. (Use your car to charge it, if
need be).

You can mount the car antenna on the roof, but you'll need an extension
cable for it. The cords on those car antennas have always been a special
cord, and I am not sure what to use to extend it. Maybe someone knows
this.....

However, a long wire outside is still superior for an antenna.

 

On Thu, 12 Oct 2017 14:32:06 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@bigfoot.com>
wrote:

In sci.electronics.repair, on Thu, 12 Oct 2017 06:09:17 -0700 (PDT),
tabbypurr@gmail.com wrote:

On Thursday, 12 October 2017 12:32:06 UTC+1, pf...@aol.com wrote:
On Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 11:44:10 PM UTC-4, MOP CAP wrote:

Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

Mpffff... This is an easy one. If you are looking, primarily, for good reception over top-notch sound (mostly wasted on AM anyway), and this is to be a single-purpose device, look for something like a solid-state GE "Super Radio" or similar. They are fair-enough sounding and far better than average at AM DXing capabilities. Low in cost for very good results.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GE-SUPERADIO-SUPER-RADIO-LONG-RANGE-AM-FM-HI-PERFORMANCE-VERY-NICE-/401419473964?hash=item5d7677142c:g:e9AAAOSwbRJZvvX8 I keep one of these at our summer house that is no slouch at all. The AM band is pretty busy, especially at night.

I've heard of the GE Superradio, but didn't think I needed anything more
at that time. Is it especially good on FM as well as AM?



A step up from there would be a multi-band radio such as a Zenith TransOceanic. Of those, the ne-plus-ultra would be the RD7000Y - and why that one? All silicon, has the tunable weather band, and will give you some amusing shortwave capacity.

https://www.ebay.com/dsc/i.html?_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=19027&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&_nkw=Zenith+RD7000Y&_ex_kw=&_in_kw=1 One of these has lived at my work desk for over 20 years.

I still have my 1930 Hallicrafter shortwave, not divided by bands as
such, but 4 positions of the switch and continuous tuning from one to
another.

Hard-Core would be a Communications Receiver, something in the Hallicrafters, Collins or National lines - which are a whole different can of worms, do want an outside antenna, and likely will contain tubes rather than transistors.

I don't have the best antenna. I took 4-wire phone line, solder two
pair together at one end and one pair at the radio-end so it goes down
and back twice and it was stretched down the stairs. I think I should
more it to the attic.

And, one of these will truly separate fly-poop from pepper. Give it an 80' longwire and you will be getting AM from Hawaii - or thereabouts.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

The old Vega/Ocean radios are very cheap dx sets. Some mericans might not like their origins. But don't worry, they don't run Kaspersky.

I run Kaspersky but I lie about what I'm doing so when they report back,
it will just confuse the Kremlin.

NT

I thought all phone line wire was twisted pair. If that's the case
then I would think your setup would tend to keep radio waves, AKA
interference, out. Maybe that's why your antenna isn't working very
well.
Eric

 

[Foxs Mercantile]

On 10/12/2017 2:39 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

You can mount the car antenna on the roof, but you'll need an extension
cable for it. The cords on those car antennas have always been a special
cord, and I am not sure what to use to extend it. Maybe someone knows
this.....

It's RG-62 and it's a pain in the ass to work with.


--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com

 

J.B. Wood wrote:

On 10/11/2017 11:44 PM, MOP CAP wrote:
Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP

Hello, and you want a radio of requisite sensitivity so you can enjoy
the "quality' of AM radio? Can you parse languages other than English?
Just kidding. In addition to the advice already provided by others, you
might want to check with a seller like C.C. Crane. I assumed by "AM"
you meant the medium wave (535-1700 kHz) band.

Right, the AM band, which, regarding radio, is an abbreviation for 'Amplitude Modulation' as opposed to FM (Frequency Modulation). Unless you confuse AM (Ante Meridian) here in this thread to mean morning-time only radio use.

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 13/10/2017 6:39 AM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

On Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:31:26 +1100, Trevor Wilson
trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote:

On 12/10/2017 2:44 PM, MOP CAP wrote:
Does anyone have a recomendation for a quality AM receiver? I have a
cabin in the low Sierras and have trouble receiving AM. I would prefer
one that would not require an outside antenna.
Thanks,
CP


**Assuming you have no internet capability (the best way to receive AM),
then your next best option is to find an old, 1960s vintage, solid
state, car radio. Since few car radios had FM capability back then, the
AM qualities were excellent. If you have lots of cash, then one of these
will provide superb AM performance:

http://classichifi.info/SansuiTU-X1.shtml

I had one on the bench last year. Surprisingly impressive and quite
sophisticated (even has a synchronised detector!) AM section. A bit much
for a cabin radio though.

I was thinking about using a car radio too. But why limit yourself to
AM. Get an AM-FM. AM radios these days are mostly talk shows and
religious programming. You;ll get more music on FM. If you know someone
who has a junked car, offer them a few bucks for the radio. I'd get the
antenna too. Then all you need is a 12V power supply. Those can easily
be found. In the 70's nearly everyone had one of them, so they could use
an auto CB radio in their house.

**Almost ANY radio that has an FM section has a really crappy AM section
(excepting the Sansui I referenced earlier). Since the early 1970s,
manufacturers have pretty much ignored AM radios. There are exceptions,
of course, but they are very rare. Here in Australia, for instance, FM
transmissions did not begin until the mid 1970s. Hence, there was a
thriving business for manufacturers building high quality AM tuners. And
trust me: They were very good indeed. Back then, it was possible to
deliver sound quality that rivaled FM (mono) under ideal reception
conditions. In fact, I have such an AM tuner in my workshop. I never use
it, of course. For good AM, you need to find an AM only tuner that was
built before FM was really popular.

FWIW: The best AM radio I ever heard was my very own, valved, 4 stage
TRF, radio, which used an infinite impedance detector. The design was
taken from a long-departed New Zealand electronics magazine. I built it
as a teenager and the thing sounded glorious. So good, in fact, that I
called my local radio station to complain about their 'B' turntable,
because I could clearly hear that the stylus was worn/chipped. They
thought I was nuts, but swapped out the faulty stylus anyway.



--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

 

[Foxs Mercantile]

On 10/12/2017 4:18 PM, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> **Almost ANY radio that has an FM section has a really crappy AM section

Quite so, I had a Kenwood "system" with separate components.
The AM/FM tuner was absolute shit on AM.
Single IC "AM subsystem" both sensitivity and selectivity were marginal.

When I was "gifted" a Technics home entertainment system, I threw the
Kenwood in the trash where it belonged.


--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com