Picture of antique radio, for decoration only.Picture of antique radio, for decoration only.

The Pilot's Radio Reception And Resources Page

Updated September 25, 2005. Dead links cleared, more added. Good ones, not dead ones.

I hold an Extra Class Amateur Radio License, (KB1CHW). I also spent 3 1/2 years as a DJ on 91.5 WBIM-FM Bridgewater, Massachusetts where I hosted a weekly show of 80s music.

Sites about Improving your Reception

Improving your AM Radio Reception My advice on getting better AM Radio reception.

BBC TV and Radio Reception No need to re-invent the wheel. This site, from the BBC in Merry Old England, gives excellent advice on improving your radio and TV reception!

Austrailan Communications Authority online brochure "Better Television and Radio Reception: Identifying your interference problem." An online PDF brochure that included photos giving examples of what various kinds of interference look like on a TV set, and with tips on radio reception as well.

Cool Radio Sites:

Pete's "All Band" DX'ers PageThe Official Engineer for the Pilot of the Airwaves. Pete is the Engineer here at WBIM. I liken him to Scotty on Star Trek... as he seems to be able to fix anything and jury-rig whatever is needed to keep us running. He labors many hours over summer and winter breaks to install new equipment (like transmitters and stuff) and he's always around, soldering iron in hand, ready to save the day! He himself was once a DJ on 'BIM. He has has set up a cool page of his own, with a ton of good links.

The Web Site of AA1A The father/father-in-law of some friends of mine, and a great guy. If you can plug it in, he can fix it. If you've seen it on Star Trek, he'll probably be the guy to invent it in real life. He's got the Amateur Call Sign AA1A. I once asked him how he got that coolest-of-cool call sign, and he said that one day when he upgraded, that was the one that came up. I'd like to have him buy some lottery tickets for me... hee hee hee.

The Broadcast Archive A site devited to radio broadcast history.

Wumpus Old Radio WorldThis is a site I stumbled acros... er, um... I mean bring to you for your entertainment and erudition while looking for other things, and it's really cool! Lost of stuff about antique German radios!

The Antique Radio PageThis one has a lot of info, and is nicely designed, too.

Stations out There

The MIT List of Radio Stations on the Internet This site is a list of radio stations that you can search many different ways, and it also shows which ones broadcast their audio over the internet.

The BRS Radio Directory Another archive of stations, with links to their web-sites, if applicable.

Amateur (Ham) Radio

Ham Radio Online An on line magazine devoted to Amateir Radio. There's even a link to take a sample "Ham" Exam, which is great practice if you're studying for it!

E-Ham.net Is another source of news, equipment reviews, forums and want ads for Hams.

Amateur Radio RF Safety Calculator lets you calculate the safe distance between your antenna and people. FCC regulations require Hams to keep their station in compliance with these safety regulations.

AC6V's Amateur Radio and DX Reference Guide is one of the most comprehensive on-line guides I have seen for just about any topic in Ham Radio or Shorwave listening. He has hundreds of links and resources.

The Amateur Radio Relay League This is the premier organization in Amateur Radio, and offeres many resources, as well as advocacy for "Ham" operators, especially in regards to legislation affecting Amateur Radio.

Y'all come back now, y'heah? Return to the Pilot of the Airwaves Main Page.


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When installing antennas, or working with any electrical device (such as a radio) please follow all safety rules!

Never open an electical device to work on it yourself unless you're a licensed technician, or very experienced in electronic repair. Some electronic devices, especially televisions and computer monitors, contain lethal electrical charges inside even when they're turned off! Swear to God! Touch the wrong thing and it will kill you faster than the Electric Chair down the state prison! Never, never mess with something if you are not educated about it! There is no shame in asking for help! Besides, ask for help if you need it and you save a lot of trouble and hassles.

If you're installing an outdoor antenna, be careful of power lines. Make sure there is no way for an antenna to contact a power line, and mount it far enough away from them so it won't land on them if it falls. If the antenna contacts a power line you can be killed, or your house can catch on fire! Be careful climbing ladders. If you're installing an antenna and it begins to fall, let it go! It could contact a power line, or you could lose your balance trying to catch it! If you're not sure what you're doing, consult a friend or relative who really does know what to do, or hire a professional. Better safe than sorry!!

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