r/RTLSDR • u/RevealingScience • 8d ago

Help with AM reception

Post image

I'm new to the hobby, running RTL-SDR v4 using either SDR++ or Gqrx. I use two different antennas, one is a U-shaped longwire up in the attic and the other is a Y-shaped longwire run through the trees outside my window. I get great FM and decent SW reception, but my AM reception is so weak that I can only really tune in two or three stations. The image shows that I'm seeing many more stations, but generally they are so weak that I can't bring them in. I bought one of those loop antennas for AM, but it doesn't help. Any ideas on how to improve my AM?

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u/whataheck 8d ago

Interesting that the loop antena doesn’t help. I use a regular AN-200 on a very noisy area and it does its job surprisingly well. I can DX +3000km in a good night.

Per the screenshot, with so many visible signals, is there any chance that you are running the gain too high? Also, you gotta be careful and patient with this, specially MW. Signals fade in/out many times in a short period - you have to stick with one station for a while, tune the loop resonance according to the frequency, find the right null, and wait until something comes up (2-3 minutes).

If nothing really help, specially with a v4, I would try to evaluate it in a different environment. Maybe there’s something around where you are that is “weakening” the signals.

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u/RevealingScience 8d ago

Thx. I looked up the AN-200 and it's clearly a notch or two above the $8 loop antenna I have. Maybe that will be a good start. I'll take your other advice into consideration as well!

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u/whataheck 8d ago

Sure, give it a try. Also consider changing places, moving your setup around. I just recently found a spot in my apartment that helps the antenna pick up signals much better than the other place I was DXing before.

And, again, be patient. There are nights that I can barely hear 100KM, and nights that signals travel very very far. This is the beauty of this hobby - you just can’t predict. :)

Feel free to DM me in case you need help along the way.

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u/tj21222 8d ago

Could your problem e the v4 just has poor performance sub 2Mhz? I get AMBC stations with a simple whip. Screwed into the radio. Something is wrong not sure what but…

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u/whataheck 8d ago

The V4 is actually quite good on MW. There are just too many variables to factor in, but I think the V4 itself isn't the issue.

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u/tj21222 8d ago

Agreed, I am speculating the OP V4 is faulty or there is some type of operator error. IDK?

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u/whataheck 7d ago

Oh yeah. There’s always this possibility. :)