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2220B - FM poor reception/static - solved

Gustavsson

Gustavsson

Member
When the top metal cabinet is screwed in place I get very poor FM reception. There's a lot of noise and static. But if I take the cabinet off it sounds great. The static and noise completely disappears.

So the cabinet is interfering with the FM signal somehow. Any ideas on how to get rid off this?

Thanks in advance
 
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This is a good one. I'm looking at a 2220B for something physical that could be happening when the cover is put on. Here's a long shot:

The black cable coming from the FM antenna terminals to the P100 tuner board may be getting nudged (or crimped) when the cover is put on. The white lead in the cable from the antenna may be barely connecting and is getting disconnected when the cable is moved?

I'm thinking of this because I rebuilt one of these yesterday. When I was done with the P100 board, the white lead coming from the P100 board to the P200 board broke free due to twisting and bending when the board was recapped.

IMG_4503.JPG
 
runningdog said:
The black cable coming from the FM antenna terminals to the P100 tuner board may be getting nudged (or crimped) when the cover is put on. The white lead in the cable from the antenna may be barely connecting and is getting disconnected when the cable is moved?
Click to expand...

Checked the cable but it seems fine. The cable is laying away from the cover and the solder joints are strong.

If I put the cover on without it touching the sides of the chassi there is no interference. But pressing it against the sides the interference starts. If I can't find an exact cause I'm thinking I might get away with buying some insulating material and lining the sides of the cover so it doesn't directly touch metal to metal.
 

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hofferwood said:
Do you have an antenna hooked up to the FM antenna terminals?
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I'm the idiot sandwich. I thought the AM antenna was also for FM. I just connected some speaker cable and the static went away.

Thank you.
 

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Jonstigator said:
Yup, an antenna always helps. So the cover no longer an issue?
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Yes, I would say that it's gone. Might see anyways if I can insulate the four points where the screws are with some felt. The antenna does nothing to improve the signal or audio quality, it only removes the interference. I would rather not have to use the antenna. But good to know nothing is "wrong" with it.
 
At minimum, at least have a t-bar ribbon antenna, only about $5-$6 or so from the auction site.

Provided the signal strength meter hasn't been toyed with, and mal-adjusted, what sort of readings do you get with the stronger FM Stations? Are they coming in, in stereo? Does a stereo beacon lamp light up?
 
markd51 said:
At minimum, at least have a t-bar ribbon antenna, only about $5-$6 or so from the auction site.

Provided the signal strength meter hasn't been toyed with, and mal-adjusted, what sort of readings do you get with the stronger FM Stations? Are they coming in, in stereo? Does a stereo beacon lamp light up?
Click to expand...

The radio seems to work fine now. I thought for a time that something was wrong since I kept getting interference on all channels. But with my makeshift antenna I get stereo light on maybe a handful of channels. And the tuner meter is dead center when I have good reception.
 
Jonstigator said:
I listen to a lot of radio.

Install an antenna outside and run a wire.
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I'm a swede living in Spain and radio presenters and sports commentators etc are all a bit too loud here for my taste. Actually everything is too loud here. But that's the price you pay for nice weather.
 
Gustavsson said:
I'm a swede living in Spain and radio presenters and sports commentators etc are all a bit too loud here for my taste. Actually everything is too loud here. But that's the price you pay for nice weather.
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I know what you mean. I plan on returning to southern Spain to visit this February pending travel restrictions. Love the place. Going to eat lots of ham (pata negro) and drink my share of moscatel. :thumbsup:

The sports commentators do get too excited and loud there. I agree, I never listened to a whole lot of radio there. It was pointless.
 
Jonstigator said:
I know what you mean. I plan on returning to southern Spain to visit this February pending travel restrictions. Love the place. Going to eat lots of ham (pata negro) and drink my share of moscatel. :thumbsup:

The sports commentators do get too excited and loud there. I agree, I never listened to a whole lot of radio there. It was pointless.
Click to expand...

Hope you get to go. Enjoy!
 
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