Getting the Best from Your Clock Radio

Clock radios often give atrocious reception, even when properly tuned in. This is not surprising when you consider that they usually only use a simple ferrite rod antenna. If no telescopic aerial is provided, then there is normally a half metre or so of wire poking out of the back of the radio, connected to the tuned circuit: this usually improves matters somewhat.Unfortunately, however, it is not always enough: but a simple trick will let us improve the antenna’s gain. Fit a single-pole connector to the end of the antenna wire, and to the other part of the connector attach a length of insulated hook-up wire.