Any truth in it?

Message boards : Science (non-SETI) : Any truth in it?
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Michael Watson

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Message 1696276 - Posted: 27 Jun 2015, 23:00:19 UTC

A non-metallic object near an antenna can, under certain conditions, reflect a VHF or UHF signal to it, and so, enhance its strength. The most familiar instance of this is a person standing next to a VHF ( FM ) receiver with a short rod antenna. The person's movements can cause the signal to change strength. A wet roof might make for a more efficient reflector than a dry one.
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Message 1696277 - Posted: 27 Jun 2015, 23:03:19 UTC

It could also be that the cooler, denser air is more conducive to the transmission of the signal from the tower to your location, so the received signal strength is higher.
"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

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Message 1696285 - Posted: 28 Jun 2015, 0:18:56 UTC - in response to Message 1696277.  

It could also be that the cooler, denser air is more conducive to the transmission of the signal from the tower to your location, so the received signal strength is higher.

Water is a signal attenuator. Possible that some interfering signal is less when wet (attenuated), hence a better experience. Also possible that the wet roof acts as a ground plane giving a better experience. You could test for that with a garden hose. Finally don't forget that in the winter, without a storm, the air is much dryer than in the summer. Check the relative humidity.

Now today in the digital world, the signal should either be there, or not at all. No snow anymore, but blockies from bad jpeg decompression.

Back in the analog days, I noticed that when a cold weather front passed here in Los Angeles the VHF San Diego stations became available, in the winter, and in the summer they were usually there but not always watching quality.

More than you wanted to know:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_propagation

http://www.dxfm.com/content/propagation.htm

http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals
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Message 1697847 - Posted: 2 Jul 2015, 20:15:23 UTC - in response to Message 1696285.  

It could also be that the cooler, denser air is more conducive to the transmission of the signal from the tower to your location, so the received signal strength is higher.

Water is a signal attenuator. Possible that some interfering signal is less when wet (attenuated), hence a better experience. Also possible that the wet roof acts as a ground plane giving a better experience. You could test for that with a garden hose. Finally don't forget that in the winter, without a storm, the air is much dryer than in the summer. Check the relative humidity.

Now today in the digital world, the signal should either be there, or not at all. No snow anymore, but blockies from bad jpeg decompression.

Back in the analog days, I noticed that when a cold weather front passed here in Los Angeles the VHF San Diego stations became available, in the winter, and in the summer they were usually there but not always watching quality.

More than you wanted to know:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_propagation

http://www.dxfm.com/content/propagation.htm

http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals


70s, Dad watching snowy MASH from 60 miles away. Hard to look at. But the theme song haunts.
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Message boards : Science (non-SETI) : Any truth in it?


 
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