| Most reception problems on FM radio are caused either by a weak signal or by some kind of interference. |
Hissing or fading
Hissing or fading means the signal reaching your radio is not strong enough.
If you have a portable radio with a telescopic aerial, make sure it is fully extended. Tilt and swivel the aerial until you get the best signal.
Try moving the radio to another position, such as near a window, higher up or in another room.
If your FM tuner is part of a hi-fi system, make sure you have connected the wire or ribbon cable aerial supplied. Consult your system's manual for details.
Stereo needs a stronger signal than mono, so if you get hiss when listening to stereo, try switching to mono.
If there is still no improvement, you may need a separate aerial (as long as your radio has an aerial socket). You could use an indoor aerial, or have an aerial installed on the roof or outside of the house, or in the loft. See Radio aerials for more information.
Distorted S and Z sounds (sibilance)
This is caused by what is known as multipath distortion. It happens because signals from the transmitter travel by more than one path to your radio: one signal is reflected off tall buildings or hills and arrives a moment later than the direct signal, causing interference. Things to try:
If you are using a portable radio, move it around the room.
Tune to another frequency for the same station.
Use a directional rooftop aerial that picks up only the direct signal from the transmitter.
Twittering and whistling
These annoying sounds (sometimes called 'birdies') are usually caused by another station transmitting on a frequency very close to the station you are listening to.
A separate aerial, preferably a directional rooftop aerial, may reduce the interference.
Twittering noises can also be caused by high air pressure, which brings fine weather and also allows FM signals to travel further than normal. You may also get interference from strong foreign stations. There is nothing you can do about this – reception will only improve when the weather changes.
If you are very close to a transmitter, noises or distortion may be caused by a very strong signal. Things to try:
If you have a portable radio, partly close the telescopic aerial.
If you have a hi-fi system, you can plug a device called an attenuator (available from electrical shops) into the tuner's aerial socket.
Buzzing, crackling and clicks
Bursts of buzzing or regular clicks are often caused by interference from something powered by electricity, such as a domestic appliance or a faulty fridge or central heating thermostat. If you are not sure what is causing the interference, leave the radio on and try switching off or disconnecting your appliances one at a time to see if there is an improvement. Also check the radio in case it has a loose aerial connection or mains lead.
Interference from an outside source
If you think you are experiencing interference from something outside your property, you can report it to Ofcom and ask them to investigate. Note that they may charge a fee if they find it is something within your control. Ofcom is also responsible for licensing radio users and preventing illegal broadcasting, so you can also report suspected interference from a 'pirate' radio station.
Car radios
If you listen to FM radio while travelling around the country, you may often need to retune your radio to another frequency for the same station. Many car radios have RDS (Radio Data System), which automatically tunes to the strongest FM signal, so you don't need to retune the radio manually. RDS can also be set to detect BBC local radio travel news. |
