Garage Radio problems

[fred d]

I have had a home type stereo in my garage for years. I have some large speakers that are mounted in the rafters that still provide pleanty of volume.

i listen to AM radio M-F when I’m able to get in the garage. I listen to talk Radio And baseball games
Weekends I listen to a local FM old rock station if there is no baseball on.

My stereo has gotten to where it is mostly static with the station buried in the back round.
lve tried separate antennas no help.
I’ve tried unplugging all the portable battery chargers.
Ive tried turning off the LED lights…nothing helps

I don’t mind spending some money if need be to get me back to where I’ve removed the static
But to be clear don’t want to need internet, don’t want to stream….Just want old school Radio with a clear sound

please help

 

[PCustoms]

Do you have a second radio you can try?

Might be an internal problem with your current radio

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

Is the station at fault? Might have reduced their wattage. Have you tried at night to see if it's more clear? At least that would eliminate your equipment as the point of failure. How is the FM signal?

 

[BrandonV]

This might sound like a hassle, but trust me—it's worth it. Turn off every circuit breaker in your house except the one powering the radio (and make sure nothing else is running on that circuit). If the signal improves, it's time for some process of elimination.

If the signal is still poor, the issue is likely with the tuner circuitry, especially if it's an FM tuner. Over time, electrolytic capacitors can dry out, which can quickly throw the tuner out of alignment.

 

[BillK]

A lot of those types of radios have a built in ferrite core antenna for AM reception. The antenna that hooks to the terminals on the back is for FM. Do you know the model number of the stereo ?

Have you tried listening to the same station on your car radio and see how it is ?

 

[evh]

You might want to take the case/cover off of your stereo and blow the inside out with an air compressor. If it is old and has the older "metal plate" style tuning mechanism, that can get pretty dirty and lead to some issues.

 

[fred d]

Do you have a second radio you can try?

Might be an internal problem with your current radio

I have a Dewalt portable radio that’s perfect
took a Bose radio of my wife’s and it is perfect

 

[fred d]

A lot of those types of radios have a built in ferrite core antenna for AM reception. The antenna that hooks to the terminals on the back is for FM. Do you know the model number of the stereo ?

Have you tried listening to the same station on your car radio and see how it is ?

Other radios are fine

 

[PCustoms]

I have a Dewalt portable radio that’s perfect
took a Bose radio of my wife’s and it is perfect

There you go.

Now what/how old is the radio that's not working right?

 

[BrandonV]

Other radios are fine

That pretty much almost implies its your radio. What model is the tuner or reciever?

Realistically if its important to you you'll need to repair it or send it somewhere to be repaired.

 

[fred d]

Is the station at fault? Might have reduced their wattage. Have you tried at night to see if it's more clear? At least that would eliminate your equipment as the point of failure. How is the FM signal?

Not the station
other radios are fine

 

[fred d]

That pretty much almost implies its your radio. What model is the tuner or reciever?

Realistically if its important to you you'll need to repair it or send it somewhere to be repaired.

Probably just order a cheap one off Amazon

 

[fred d]

There you go.

Now what/how old is the radio that's not working right?

10+ years probably
in a garage that is not climate controlled
Houston Texas
lots of heat and humidity

 

[fred d]

This might sound like a hassle, but trust me—it's worth it. Turn off every circuit breaker in your house except the one powering the radio (and make sure nothing else is running on that circuit). If the signal improves, it's time for some process of elimination.

If the signal is still poor, the issue is likely with the tuner circuitry, especially if it's an FM tuner. Over time, electrolytic capacitors can dry out, which can quickly throw the tuner out of alignment.

I’ll try that next.

 

[BrandonV]

Probably just order a cheap one off Amazon

Pyle PDA6BU is a good option IMO if you want a simple unit for replacement.

 

[BrandonV]

I’ll try that next.

Most likely if all the other radios are working just fine it's not an interference problem. I go thru radios pretty frequently in a hot Arizona garage.

 

[PCustoms]

10+ years probably
in a garage that is not climate controlled
Houston Texas
lots of heat and humidity

Does the cover come off or is it some cheap all in one deal?

Might be worth hitting it with an air gun to get the cobwebs out.

My garage receiver is 20+ years old, mostly works ok.

 

[fred d]

This might sound like a hassle, but trust me—it's worth it. Turn off every circuit breaker in your house except the one powering the radio (and make sure nothing else is running on that circuit). If the signal improves, it's time for some process of elimination.

If the signal is still poor, the issue is likely with the tuner circuitry, especially if it's an FM tuner. Over time, electrolytic capacitors can dry out, which can quickly throw the tuner out of alignment.

Great idea….but no change

 

[fred d]

Does the cover come off or is it some cheap all in one deal?

Might be worth hitting it with an air gun to get the cobwebs out.

My garage receiver is 20+ years old, mostly works ok.

That’s next
you guys are awesome

 

[NUTTSGT]

With the current radio, is there difference between AM & FM ? Or is there a problem with both.

 

[35Ford]

Hide the wife's Bose in the garage behind a few quarts of oil. Deny any knowledge of what happened to her radio. Problem solved.

 

[fred d]

With the current radio, is there difference between AM & FM ? Or is there a problem with both.

Problem with both
AM is worse

 

[fred d]

Hide the wife's Bose in the garage behind a few quarts of oil. Deny any knowledge of what happened to her radio. Problem solved.

I could possibly get away with that. The problem is there is no way to hook up external speakers, and it’s just not loud enough by itself.

 

[fred d]

Ok guys….first off thanks for all the advise
removed the cover and blew it out…..but no change

I took an old jam box from my attached garage and hooked it up in the Shop.
it has a way to connect external speakers.
it works great….but too small/power to drive the 4 house speakers

now can you give me some advice on a replacement that will have the power I need

again thanks

 

[fred d]

That’s next
you guys are awesome

No change, but thank you

 

[NUTTSGT]

Ok guys….first off thanks for all the advise
removed the cover and blew it out…..but no change

I took an old jam box from my attached garage and hooked it up in the Shop.
it has a way to connect external speakers.
it works great….but too small/power to drive the 4 house speakers

now can you give me some advice on a replacement that will have the power I need

again thanks

How much do you want to spend ?

You can buy new receivers from places like Best Buy or used from Good Will. There's also FBMP as people get rid of AM/FM equipment all the time.

 

[Skellyii]

How much do you want to spend ?

You can buy new receivers from places like Best Buy or used from Good Will. There's also FBMP as people get rid of AM/FM equipment all the time.

True.

My current garage stereo still has the $9.95 price tag on it from Goodwill.

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

If you are brand agnostic then this would suit your needs

Pyle PDA5BU Bluetooth 200W Stereo Amplifier Receiver with Remote AM/FM MP3 USB AUX

Pyle PDA5BU Bluetooth 200W Stereo Amplifier Receiver with Remote AM/FM MP3 USB AUXBuilt-in Bluetooth technology allows you to instantly stream wireless audio from your favorite device. This receiver also features USB flash and SD memory card readers with a digital LCD display. The PDA5BU is...

www.parts-express.com

 

[mrb1]

Probably just order a cheap one off Amazon

Hardly any cheapie is gonna get ya any good AM nowadays. Check Craigslist (or FBMP if so inclined) for 90's-2000 era Sony receivers. Not so much ebay, should be able to test first. Or similar brands from that era. Better reception, especially AM. No internet, blutooth or streaming stuff getting in the way either. Simple, and they work. Running two now in the garage and patio. Early 2000's Sony STR-DH130 and an Insignia NS-STR514 (BESTBUY home brand) maybe 15 years old. Both are left in unheated/uncooled areas 365. The Sony ended up with a foot of snow on it years ago. Removed cover, brought in the house for a week to dry out upside down, still fine. Powering four good size speakers on both. I also am 75% AM for talk, news and ballgames while outside. $50-$75 around here.

 

[fred d]

How much do you want to spend ?

You can buy new receivers from places like Best Buy or used from Good Will. There's also FBMP as people get rid of AM/FM equipment all the time.

Like to be under $100
most on Amazon only have FM no AM

 

[PCustoms]

Like to be under $100
most on Amazon only have FM no AM

Isn't AM phasing out soon?

 

[mrb1]

Like to be under $100
most on Amazon only have FM no AM

And those that do have it ain't gonna work worth a damn.

Isn't AM phasing out soon?

No.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Isn't AM phasing out soon?

No.

 

[PCustoms]

No.

No.

Guess I was thinking of the fact it's being phased out of cars.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Like to be under $100
most on Amazon only have FM no AM

Don't be afraid to pick up something used. Look on CL or FBMP.

Test it out before you hand over a few bucks.

 

[PZ 1]

The RCA Super Radio and the CC Radio are high performance radios on the AM side.

 

[jack stand]

I have a Dewalt portable radio that’s perfect
took a Bose radio of my wife’s and it is perfect

Discover "bluetooth" and a radio app for your phone. I only recently discovered this new fangled gizmos through my 30yo kids
I drifted away from radio music close to 30 years ago as either the music played was **** or I just began my journey into the cranky old man syndrome. Probably a little bit of each being truthful.
I can find any talk radio on my phone and have joined the world of podcasts. It's a different format and not nearly as up to (today's news) date that is the difference.
Then music, holy ****! Pick your app and enter in 50/60 of your favorite songs and they'll make a "radio station" out of them with lots of very similar music.
The internet has become more available than am radio and radio as a whole is probably on its way out just like network TV.
I bought another Makita jobsite radio that's got Bluetooth and have a little $140 Bose b/t speaker and my b/t headphones for use while doing loud things. I'd like to check into how you can really crank it up via b/t for some old time "jamming" but I think it'll have nothing to do with my old "stereo" equipment.

 

[jblnut]

I’ll second getting an older Sony receiver. I have a few of them and they’re great. AM, FM and lots of other inputs if needed.

Once my new shop went up reception inside wasn’t to be found anywhere I wanted to set the equipment. I got myself a cheap android tablet and used a headphone to RCA adapter to squirt the noise from the table to the receiver. Every single FM and AM station I listen to does live streaming from their website. Pretty simple to setup with modern day results.

A bonus is that I have a pair of Bluetooth headphones I use in the shop and they take the audio over from the tablet once turned on. It goes back to the speakers once the headphones are turned off.

 

[BillK]

now can you give me some advice on a replacement that will have the power I need

again thanks

The Goodwill store near me always has 5 or 6 older receivers probably just like the one you have now. Usually $20 or less and they will be better than a cheap Amazon import.

 

[cannuck]

My backyard shop is a steel building. I built it (40 years ago) for myself and small staff to work in, and it was wired to the entertainment system in the house. A few years later we got too big and moved production out and I received a protable radio from a relative as a gift. Started using it in the shop to be able to switch local stations without going inside, and it worked reasonably well if placed in "just the right spot". Over the years it became more and more sensitive to interference, so I took it out to storage shelter at farm where it provides me with good reception even though antenna long ago broken. So, I bought a new plug-in portable and it does pretty much the same thing. When the flourescent lights (half now LED) turn on, the interference comes with it. Wish people would build modern radios with remote antenna options.