Why does my radio reception improve at night?

Mano · #1 02-04-2005, 04:55 PM

Was noticing last night how much better my reception was at night vs. during the day, and wasn't sure why. Anyone know?

AngryCola · #2 02-04-2005, 04:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Was noticing last night how much better my reception was at night vs. during the day, and wasn't sure why. Anyone know?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't remember the exact scientific reason, but it's a matter of the atmosphere having less interference than during the middle of the day.

It is a real thing though.

Freakin · #3 02-04-2005, 05:02 PM

Something to do with ionization of the atmosphere that decreases interference, and also, many of the smaller AM stations are required to go off-air at sunset (or at least they were in teh past) to improve reception for "clear channel" AM stations.

Freakin

ClaytonN · #4 02-04-2005, 05:38 PM

Okay, so here's a weirder question

Why do all but one of my AM radio stations turn to static at nightfall?

Brainwalter · #5 02-04-2005, 06:14 PM

Does freakin's post answer your question?

B Dids · #6 02-04-2005, 06:15 PM

It should.

When I live in Pullman, WA (pretty high elevation) I could get Denver radio at night.

Science is outta control.

ClaytonN · #7 02-04-2005, 06:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Does freakin's post answer your question?

[/ QUOTE ]

Now that I read his answer over again, yes.

But the original question said "Night better than day" [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

HDPM · #8 02-04-2005, 06:18 PM

Probably because they have to lower power at night because of FCC regs. Because AM reception is better at night due to the ionosphere changing, not all the AM stations are allowed to operate fullpower. OTOH you can hear art bell on 50000 watt stations from a long way away. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

partygirluk · #9 02-04-2005, 06:19 PM

I believe it is because during the day time there is more pollution, telephone calls and general humn activity, which all, in some way, distort the passage of the sound way from the receiver to your radio.

AngryCola · #10 02-04-2005, 06:23 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I believe it is because during the day time there is more pollution, telephone calls and general humn activity, which all, in some way, distort the passage of the sound way from the receiver to your radio.

[/ QUOTE ]

That may be part of it, but there is also a big natural phenomenon that causes it, too.

I just wish that I could remember what it is.