Getting Vision loud and clear

If you are within reception range of a Vision relay station you may be able to listen in on your radio receiver. This isn't available everywhere, but the number of locations is significant and is always growing. For your nearest site, click one of the following links:

List of all our frequencies
Interactive network map

Tips for good FM reception

Tuning to most radio stations is pretty easy - turn the dial and there it is. In many locations, this is the case with Vision. However, for some listeners, tuning to Vision requires a little extra effort (which is well worth it!).

The use of the "air" (radio spectrum) is regulated by the Government and because of this, many of Vision's relay stations are restricted to low power output. These are typically assigned to 87.6, 87.8 or 88.0 FM. In relatively flat terrain you can expect to have a broadcast reception range of about 10 km from the transmitter using a radio with an external antenna (eg a car radio). Reception inside a building will be more limited and unpredictable due to variations in factors such as:

• The relative height of the broadcast antenna
• The distance from the relay station
• The nature of the terrain
• The location of trees, buildings and other obstacles
• The type of building construction materials used
• The location of the radio receiver within the building
• The sensitivity of radio receiver used
• The type of aerial attached to the radio receiver

The right equipment can make all the difference!

Car radios typically have a more sensitive tuner and an external antenna, so they are better able to pick up weak signals than most portable radios. If you can receive a Vision station on your car radio parked outside your home, you can generally also receive Vision inside the building, provided that you have a good radio tuner and an appropriate, correctly installed antenna.

Portable radios will only be useful when you are reasonably close to a transmitter. The antenna on many smaller radios is inside the unit, but if there is an external one, fully extend it before moving the radio around the house to find where the signal is strongest, then adjust the angle of the antenna for best reception.

Good results have been reported with Sangean brand radios which are available from specialist electronics stores such as Tandy and Dick Smith. These can cost over $100 so before you part with your money, ask if you can return the unit if it doesn't work out for you.

Clock radios and other cheap portable units generally have very insensitive tuners and will therefore have difficulty picking up a weak signal. You may need to try a more sensitive radio receiver.

Non-portable radio tuners (for example, a component in a home stereo) are generally more sensitive, and will usually have the necessary connection for one of the following types of external aerials;
1. Indoor ribbon-type FM antenna - These are often supplied with the radio tuner unit and when correctly installed can be very effective.
2. Outdoor TV antenna - To receive a weaker signal you will need to connect your tuner to an antenna designed for reception of TV channels three, four and five. Install the antenna on the outside of the building with the bars in a vertical position. Increasing the number of bars on the antenna improves its ability to receive a weak or distant signal. Point the antenna in the direction of the transmitter and use RG6 quad-shield coax cable to connect to your radio receiver.

Tips for good AM reception

AM signals generally travel further than FM, are less hindered by hills and mountains, but are more open to electrical interference. By far, the most effective factor in improving AM reception is a better antenna. That said, it is worth remembering;

• An antenna will generally NOT eliminate radio static.
• The telescopic antenna on a portable AM/FM radio has no effect on AM reception. Portable radios have an internal antenna - try turning the body of the radio in different directions to improve reception.
• Receivers that are part of a stereo system usually come with an AM broadcast "loop" antenna.  Attach it to the AM terminals on the back of your receiver.  Turn the antenna in different directions until optimal reception is obtained.

The key to extending the reception range of an AM broadcast is to improve the quality of the antenna. If you need one, there are a wide variety of higher quality antennas available on the market.

Noise Reduction Tips

Annoying buzzes are often transmitted through an AM radio, for example;

• Dimmer switch
• Fluorescent light
• Touch lamps (even when turned off)
• Automatic on and off night lights.
• Outdoor lights which come on automatically.
• Electronic bug and pest controllers.
• A light bulb that is about to burn out.
• A faulty electrical switch of any kind.
• A nearby TV.
• Blinking bulbs of all kinds such as Christmas lights.
• Scanners of all types.
• Electric blankets.
• Smoke detectors that run on AC (battery operated is OK)
• Dirty insulators on a nearby power pole causing arcing.

It is best to eliminate the interference at its source.  Here's a list of possible solutions:

• Turn off the offending device.
• Try a battery operated radio to see if the interference is coming in from the AC 120v line or through the air or both.
• Turn off the circuit breakers one at a time to see if the noise stops. If it does, than you know it is something in your house and you'll know which circuit it is on.
• Use a battery operated radio as a direction finder.  Turn it until the noise is loudest and the front or the back of the radio will be pointing toward the noise origin.
• Carry a radio around the neighbourhood and see if you can find the origin of the noise.   Ask your neighbours if they have problems with AM radio noise.
• If a power pole is suspected, call the power company and they will check the area and possibly clean the insulators.  Dirty power pole insulators are sometimes a cause of difficult to find radio interference.
• If you have a hum in your receiver from AC noise, sometimes grounding can reduce the hum greatly.

Further help

Unfortunately we aren't in a position to offer a support service however your local TV antenna installer will usually be a good source of assistance, plus there is a wealth of information available on the internet. For example, the ABC website has an excellent, detailed explanation of FM and AM radio reception issues. Go to www.abc.net.au/reception/radio.