Setting Up The Aerials - Arcam Alpha 7 Handbook

Section B Setting up the aerials
Your new Arcam Tuner is capable of superb reception...
but only if it is receiving a good quality transmission signal.
As the signal is so important for good reception we have created a
quick reference guide to setting up the aerials.
You are recommended to fit an FM and an AM Aerial.
FM AERIAL
Reguired to receive VHF radio signals.
FOR BEST FM RADIO RECEPTION
A roof mounted aerial is essential. For your own safety it is
recommend that a rooftop aerial is fitted by an experienced
contractor You can find these in your local telephone directory or
Yellow Pages. Your contractor will tune and direct the aerial to your
nearest FM transmitter In blocks of flats, an aerial system may
already be installed and connected to wall mounted sockets
marked FM or VHF (not TV).
Alternatively, you may decide to install an aerial yourself, Use one
designed for 'Band 2' (VHF/FM) reception. These are available from
electrical accessories shops (e.g, TANDY). This should be put
outside the building, mounted as high up as possible. Aerials can be
fitted in lofts, but meta! foil cladding used for heat insulation may
make this option useless.
As a rough guide use the following table to indicate the type of
aerial you may require.
Up to 40 miles (65 km) from a transmitter 3 element aerial
Over 60 miles (100 km) from a transmitter 6 or 8 element aerial
See 'Radio Transmitting Stations', mentioned later, for details of how
to find the location of your nearest transmission station.
Alternatively a circular 'Omni-directional' aerial can be used, though
this will not usually provide as much signal as the multi-element
types of aerial mentioned above.
The coaxial cable from the aerial should be fitted with a coaxial
plug and used with the adaptor provided. Plug it into the socket
14) in the back of your Arcam Alpha 7/8 tuner.
FOR GOOD FM RADIO RECEPTION
If you will be using your tuner within a few miles of a major radio
transmitter the T shaped wire aerial (dipole design) supplied should
give a good reception. Use the aerial and the coaxial plug adaptor
provided, to connect it to the socket ©. Mount the aerial as high
as possible on a wall. Try each usable wall of the room to see
which position gives best reception. The usual configuration is to
use the aerial in a T shape, with the two ends (elements) forming
the top cros-spiece. Use tacks or tape to hold the aerial in a T
shape. The tacks should not come into contact with the internal
aerial wire.
VERTICALLY POLARISED SIGNALS
Some signals from radio transmitter are 'vertically polarised', (see
'Radio Transmitting Stations' mentioned later, for details) in which
case the aerial needs to be located with its elements vertical.
Most, but not all signals have a 'horizontal component, if all the
stations you wish to receive have this, then aligning the aerial
elements horizontally may help to avoid interference. It is best to
try several positions.
AM AERIAL
Required for Medium Wave (MW) and Long Wave (LW) radio
radio signals. |
There is an AM loop aerial supplied. Connect one end of the loop
aerial into socket G and the other end into It does not
matter which of the wires go to which socket. Rotate the aerial to
see which position gives the best reception. Some interference of
the signal may be experienced near a fluorescent light tube or a
television. Each transmitting radio station may require the aertal to
be adjusted slightly. Even on the same frequency, the best aerial
orientation can vary with time.
In areas of weak reception or when the tuner is used inside a steel
framed building (such as a block of flats) you can use a long wire
approximately 3-5 metres long and mounted high up outside the
building. Connect the end of the wire to A as well as the loop
aerial supplied. Bo not disconnect the loop aerial.
Radio signals are not transmitted in LW in the USA , Canada and
some European countries.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The BBC publishes a booklet entitled 'Radio Transmitting Stations'
which contains details of all BBC transmitters in the UK together
with other useful hints and tips. This booklet can be obtained on
request by sending a large stamped addressed envelope to:-
Engineers Dept.
BBC Radio
201 Wood Lane
London WI2 7TS
Telephone: 08700 100 123
Internet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/enginfo/fm_recep
The UK Radio Authority publishes The Radio Authority
Pocket Book' which contains details of all independent radio
stations. This booklet can be obtained on request by sending a
large stamped addressed envelope to:-
Holbrook House,
[4 Great Queen Street,
Holborn,
London,
WC2B 5DG
Telephone: 0171 430 2724
Fax: 0171 405 7062
e-mail: info@radioauthority.org.uk
Internet: http://www.radioauthority.org.uk
A free booklet (number 004-000-00345-4) is available from the
U.S. government called 'How to Identify and Resolve Radio-
TV Interference Problems' by writing to:
The U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C.
20402.