High pressure, FM DXing not so good.. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stevehertz · 12th Jul 2018, 5:27 pm

I love trying to pull in stations at the limits of what my various receivers and tuners are capable of. Just recently I've noticed that a few smaller 'local' FM stations (three in particular) that are perhaps 25 or 30 miles away from me are coming in really poorly, when in the past I've been able to get them, albeit in mono and in narrow bandwidth mode plus whatever else a particular tuner may have in its arsenal of DXing tools. But now, they're very noisy and unlistenable.

Apparently high pressure can greatly affect FM performance, and that's what I'm experiencing right now. Anyone else suffering when FM DXing due to the current weather? I'm not complaining about the weather may I add!

G6Tanuki · 12th Jul 2018, 5:41 pm

I've noticed this too: some normally fully-quieting FM stations have recently gone distinctly hissy. Also a few days back some stations had noticeable 'fuzziness' to the sound - quite different to the burblies-in-the-background effect which shows there's a lift in progress.

Biggles · 12th Jul 2018, 9:53 pm

I noticed a couple of co-channel 2 Metre repeaters breaking through which I do not normally receive while driving round at work over the last couple of weeks or so. FM broadcast radio in the workshop has been a bit noisy too, but I haven't been able to receive any long distance stations when I have had an exploratory tune around.
Alan.

12th Jul 2018, 5:27 pm	#1
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	High pressure, FM DXing not so good.. I love trying to pull in stations at the limits of what my various receivers and tuners are capable of. Just recently I've noticed that a few smaller 'local' FM stations (three in particular) that are perhaps 25 or 30 miles away from me are coming in really poorly, when in the past I've been able to get them, albeit in mono and in narrow bandwidth mode plus whatever else a particular tuner may have in its arsenal of DXing tools. But now, they're very noisy and unlistenable. Apparently high pressure can greatly affect FM performance, and that's what I'm experiencing right now. Anyone else suffering when FM DXing due to the current weather? I'm not complaining about the weather may I add! __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

12th Jul 2018, 5:41 pm	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: High pressure, FM DXing not so good.. I've noticed this too: some normally fully-quieting FM stations have recently gone distinctly hissy. Also a few days back some stations had noticeable 'fuzziness' to the sound - quite different to the burblies-in-the-background effect which shows there's a lift in progress.

12th Jul 2018, 9:53 pm	#3
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: High pressure, FM DXing not so good.. I noticed a couple of co-channel 2 Metre repeaters breaking through which I do not normally receive while driving round at work over the last couple of weeks or so. FM broadcast radio in the workshop has been a bit noisy too, but I haven't been able to receive any long distance stations when I have had an exploratory tune around. Alan.