Radios are sometimess odd creatures that defy logic. For example, my Sangean LB-100 worksite radio, which I use in the kitchen (twin toddlers might rip a telescopic antenna off something I really want like a Tecsun PL-880), grabs the difficult KPCC 89.3 with ease, but the usually "easy," and closer, station, KCRW 89.9 has a lot of static.
AM on the small ferrite isn't great but doesn't present me any problems in Torrance. As I recall, the Sangean U3 worksite radio is more sensitive on FM (and AM with its bigger ferrite), but my wife took the U3 to her school two years ago (she uses the speaker for her classroom presentations).
I'm tempted to buy another U3 for the kitchen (it's only $97 or so on Amazon), but as I recall the bass-heavy speaker was less than ideal and the lack of a rotating FM antenna could sometimes be a problem, so the LB-100 stays for now.
Yesterday, while playing KCRW in the kitchen, I turned off the LB-100 and made a guest appearance with my vintage Panasonic RF-877 (running on 4 C batteries). The 877 grabbed KCRW with ease and filled the kitchen with superior sound. For now, I'll use the LB-100 and the 877 as my occasional pinch hitter.
About a year ago here in Phoenix, AZ, I had a similar problem with the local NPR station (KJZZ)which at the time was having transmitter problems. I'm actually thinking of buying the analog version of the U3 worksite radio for FM listening, something to consider. Also an internet radio may work better for you, Jeff. BTW, KCRW is the number one NPR station in the USA
Posted by: Tom Welch | December 15, 2013 at 09:18 AM
This is one of those highly technical problems which we scientific experts, after rigorous investigation and extensive experimentation, would determine to be "just one of them there things."
Posted by: Bill | December 15, 2013 at 09:39 AM
I'd look for some form of interference close to the unit. I have a DVD player in the lounge room which causes dramatic VHF interference on my radios when it's turned on (the scanner picks around 140MHz as the peak of this hash but the broadcast FM band gets a general hit too).
Additionally, one of my neighbours (I live in an apartment) is using some form of spread spectrum device (perhaps a line bug killer or ethernet over power adapter) which occasionally causes strange transient noises even when my units are running on battery power.
The best reception I have had at this location was last week when there was a general power failure for around 2 hours which took out around 50,000 houses and businesses including 2 main regional substations. No spurious noises then... :-)
Posted by: Avo | December 15, 2013 at 12:05 PM
I find it just plain weird that different radios pick up different FM stations better than others.
For example, on Saturday Mornings I listen to Ed Sudzin's Country radio show on Rutgers WRSU, about 30 miles south of me. My various radios pick it up with varying degrees of success, but for some reason my trusty little Radio Shack DX-399, which is normally my bathroom radio, does it best.
It's not a bad little radio, but for this one station it outperforms my Tecsuns, Panny's, and Sonys.
The station also streams, so generally these days I listen via my Logitech Internet radio, which has better sound than the DX 399.
Posted by: Ken K. in NJ | December 16, 2013 at 06:05 AM