Why doesn't a radio work well on a train?

[merc_man]

I'm had a little search on t'internet but can't really find a decent answer. The built in radio on my phone works fine in my car (look, I know I have a car radio but this is just an example) which is a metal box on wheels. Conversely it doesn't work well on a train, just a bigger metal box on wheels.

So, over to the PH technical experts.

[V8mate]

Does the train you're using have overhead electrical pickup? Those 18,000+ volts buzzing about may have something to do with it.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Faraday cage?

[merc_man]

Nope, it's Cross Country diesel. Don't seem to remember a radio working particularly well in the South West trains to Waterloo either.

[OJ]

The trains outrun the radio waves...

Seriously though, it's most likely due to the fact that you're sitting on 10 tonnes worth of electric motors, which consist mostly of large rotating magnets

[Lord Pikey]

open case, solder small (002's) wire to aerial pickup on PCB, take out through small drilled hole in case. Selotape wire to window on each journey

Problem solved

lp

Edited by Lord Pikey on Wednesday 14th January 09:08