Reception


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Weak Signals or Hiss
Adjusting your radio's antenna or moving the radio to another room or near a window often helps. If this doesn't work you may want to get an outdoor antenna or amplifier to boost the signal.

Distortion
Distortion particularly affects the consonants 's' and 'z', making them sound like 'ssshhh'. If you are using a portable radio try moving it somewhere else. If your radio is attached to an outdoor antenna try moving that. If you still have a problem try using a directional rooftop antenna.

Channel Interference
This is when you can hear two channels at the same time. The problem is usually worse in stereo mode than in mono. A directional roof-mounted antenna can often help.

Overloading
Distortion caused by overloading can only happen if you live very close to an FM transmitting station. The cure is to add an "attenuator" between the antenna and the receiver. Attenuators come in various decibel values and are available from radio and TV shops as well as antenna installers.

For more in-depth help we recommend the BBC's Reception Advice.

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