Roberts R300 External Antenna - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Dukebox · 23rd Jan 2021, 2:28 pm

Hi Everyone, a newbie to the hobby here so be gentle.
I have a nice condition fully working Roberts R300 and wondered if anyone can advise me on the use of the rear antenna socket?
What is the best thing to use and where can I buy such things?
Thanks
Laurie

Edward Huggins · 23rd Jan 2021, 3:00 pm

This was orignally intended for the use of a car radio aerial. Years ago not all cars had radio - they were very much a "luxury extra" - although they are taken for granted today. The owner would buy a "Car Radio Aerial", clip it to the roof gutter and feed the lead through a window and then plug it in. You will not really need to use this socket.

23rd Jan 2021, 4:09 pm

If you want to try an aerial in the socket just stick a bit of wire into the middle part or get one (a car radio aerial) from Halfords https://www.halfords.com/motoring/ca...al-576006.html but as said you don't need one for home use. They are a nice set and perform well and given today's use of interference producing stuff (wall warts etc.) it will do better with the inbuilt aerial anyway.

RHopper · 24th Jan 2021, 11:20 pm

Best avoid these type of simple wire antennas for AM reception in the home, as they tend to pick-up interfering electric fields, from switched mode power supplies etc. Ferrite rods are generally less noisy, as they respond more to the magnetic field and have directional properties, so the set can be rotated to null out interference and to maximize the signal strength. Often placing the set near a window helps and away from any noise sources.

For the ultimate performance, you can shield the ferrite rod against all electric fields. I have shielded using aluminium foil placed partially around the rod (being careful not to create a shorted turn) and connected the foil to ground. However, shielding is probably overkill for the reception of local signals, unless you are suffering from a lot of interference.

Another tip is to use battery operation when possible, as you decouple the set from the noisy mains supply.

23rd Jan 2021, 2:28 pm	#1
Dukebox Triode Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 26	Roberts R300 External Antenna Hi Everyone, a newbie to the hobby here so be gentle. I have a nice condition fully working Roberts R300 and wondered if anyone can advise me on the use of the rear antenna socket? What is the best thing to use and where can I buy such things? Thanks Laurie __________________ It’s The Radios That Make Me Buy Them!

23rd Jan 2021, 3:00 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,336	Re: Roberts R300 External Antenna This was orignally intended for the use of a car radio aerial. Years ago not all cars had radio - they were very much a "luxury extra" - although they are taken for granted today. The owner would buy a "Car Radio Aerial", clip it to the roof gutter and feed the lead through a window and then plug it in. You will not really need to use this socket. __________________ Edward.

23rd Jan 2021, 4:09 pm	#3
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Roberts R300 External Antenna If you want to try an aerial in the socket just stick a bit of wire into the middle part or get one (a car radio aerial) from Halfords https://www.halfords.com/motoring/ca...al-576006.html but as said you don't need one for home use. They are a nice set and perform well and given today's use of interference producing stuff (wall warts etc.) it will do better with the inbuilt aerial anyway.

24th Jan 2021, 11:20 pm	#4
RHopper Diode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Cambridge, Cambs, UK. Posts: 9	Re: Roberts R300 External Antenna Best avoid these type of simple wire antennas for AM reception in the home, as they tend to pick-up interfering electric fields, from switched mode power supplies etc. Ferrite rods are generally less noisy, as they respond more to the magnetic field and have directional properties, so the set can be rotated to null out interference and to maximize the signal strength. Often placing the set near a window helps and away from any noise sources. For the ultimate performance, you can shield the ferrite rod against all electric fields. I have shielded using aluminium foil placed partially around the rod (being careful not to create a shorted turn) and connected the foil to ground. However, shielding is probably overkill for the reception of local signals, unless you are suffering from a lot of interference. Another tip is to use battery operation when possible, as you decouple the set from the noisy mains supply.