I have finally set up my much treasured NAT02. Not so much that I listen to a lot of radio, but mostly in the knowledge that it was one of the very last made.
I have an FM aerial on the roof and it connects down to my listening room. I could not use a directional aerial, due to the location of large tree, but expected a pretty good signal even if not ultra hi-fi. To my disappointment, I get a good strong signal that appears to work on all stations except Radio 4! The signal is strong, but the sound is distorted. Sometimes it is fine, but without any apparent pattern, sometimes it is distorted. As far as I can tell, all the other stations are fine.
Has anyone else experienced similar problems?
The aerial path is not perfect, as I have it pass through cat6 and use a balun to pick out the FM signal. The cable Is running the network (I think it is shared). Is there any reason that the frequency 93.5 might be affected?
Gavin
Posted on: 29 December 2015 by u77033103172058601
Don't all BBC transmissions come from a single transmitter, although the location of that transmitter, and the frequency of the transmission, will vary depending on where you are. Are you sure you are trying to get onto the correct transmitter?
Posted on: 29 December 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Gavin, so you are using a non directional aerial.. I know it sounds silly but are you sure you are tuning to the Radio 4 frequency which is closest to you?
completely puzzled by your Cat6 cable reference. I guess you can use it with a balun, but coax is the normal approach... but you are not trying to use it for Ethernet at the same time are you?
Simon
Posted on: 29 December 2015 by Mike-B
RE ....... "the aerial path is not perfect, as I have it pass through cat6 and use a balun to pick out the FM signal. The cable Is running the network"
That just does not make sense & a balun does not pick out anything. I doubt very much that it will work & why you get the other stations & not R4, I guess thats just luck.
You need to rethink the aerial, what do you mean by a non directional aerial ??
The cable must be coax all the way, its possible to share a TV & FM aerial on a single coax feed with diplex filters at each end.
Where do you live (town/city) I can help you with frequencies & which transmitter to tune to.
Posted on: 29 December 2015 by Gavin L
93.5 is the right frequency for my area. I use it on other radios and even with the NAT02, the signal is strong - just distorted at times.
I am no expert with cable, but cat6 can be used for Ethernet/IP, HDMI and FM signals. I have all of the above running in one place or another. A balun is used to convert a signal from one format to another. I don't think that can do much for signal quality but it doesn't explain the odd behaviour (just the one frequency and only intermittent interference).
I am guessing but I think the benefit of a directional aerial is that you could point it at the transmitter and avoid interference from other sources. This is not an option though...
Posted on: 29 December 2015 by Gavin L
Simon - I missed your last question.
It could just be possible I am using one cable for both FM and Ethernet. I have two separate Ethernet sockets. I think there are two separate cables, but I am not 100% sure.
Posted on: 29 December 2015 by Mike-B
Re ......... I am no expert with cable, but cat6 can be used for Ethernet/IP, HDMI and FM signals. I have all of the above running in one place or another. A balun is used to convert a signal from one format to another.
Ethernet is not good for any radio signal, thats why everyone uses coax for outside/roof aerial feed lines.
A balun is used to match impedance between the aerial & its feed wire - a coax feed wire as used for FM is 75 ohms & a balanced feeder is normally 300 ohms. As to what impedance ethernet is, I don't think that is the question, its simply not suitable. Do yourself & that NAT-02 a favour & get an aerial installer to quote you for installing a coax & whatever he advises as the best plan for the aerial you do have.
