Using Radios on Trains

[Coxster]

Hi guys,

Over the past few weeks (when I've thought about it) I have been conducting a very much non-scientific experiment regarding the use of a Nokia N73 phone to listen to the radio when on the train home from work. Basically, I was wondering if anyone could analyse these results and explain why the differences between traction types takes place - particularly in the two diesel results where not much should have changed during the refurbishment process that would surely make much of a difference:

Class 444:- The signal is overcome by interference under the old E* flyover and then just beyond Clapham and onwards.

Class 450:- The signal is overcome by interference on the approach to Earlsfield station and beyond.

Class 159 (refurb):- The signal lasts all the way to Woking where I alight, but does weaken slightly between the two Byfleets.

Class 159 (unrefurb):- The signal lasts up to Byfleet & New Haw, from where it becomes very intermittent.

Class 455 (refurb):- See 'Class 159 (unrefurb)'.

 

[Nym]

Desiros 444 450 have thicker walls and more electrical earthed sheilding on the train, also the transformergear will affect the signal, have a look in diferent carrages

The old 159 doesn't have much in the way of electricity on board but still thick joined up earthed metal round you, that buggers the signals.

The refurbs have better engines, which will put less noise into the earthed metal box, so you're more likley to get a signal, also new glass.

The 455 for the same reasons as above but also take into account the amount of pepole on the train, more pepole = less signal;
Things that absorb radio signals:
Earthed Metal Boxes (More so with noise in)
Human Body, does it quite well
other radio transmissions
ground, the.
and transformergear and motorgear, if spinning at the right rate, can directly or indirectly knacker the signal

Don't let me spoil other ideas

 

[Mojo]

When my Mum used to travel daily between Aylesbury & Marylebone on a Chiltern class 165 she could never get a signal (just some strange sounding white noise) when travelling towards London, but it was fine travelling away from London!

I am guessing it must be to do with something electronic, as when we reached Amersham and got onto the tube tracks it seemed to work fine!

 

[Gizmogle]

This is really sad Damon

My signal always seems to be quite strong from Ash Vale to Waterloo. Apart from the black hole around Brookwood area.

 

[me123]

Have you repeated the test on each unit? If not, the results mean nothing.

 

[djw1981]

Could be linked to atmospheric conditions, weather, battery life in phone, phone position, seating position, ariel orientation

 

[Respite]

Make sure that when testing the radio signal you are not standing outside the drivers door.... Test's have proven that reception difficulties are to be had when you do due the radio & headphones being lodged up your arse from peeved off drivers that have been pushed just that tad too far by hearing the tinny music from headphones "tsh tsh tsh tsh tsh tsh bmmmm tsh tsh tsh tsh tsh rumble rumble tsh tsh tsh tsh" all day.

 

[Nym]

Make sure that when testing the radio signal you are not standing outside the drivers door.... Test's have proven that reception difficulties are to be had when you do due the radio & headphones being lodged up your arse from peeved off drivers that have been pushed just that tad too far by hearing the tinny music from headphones "tsh tsh tsh tsh tsh tsh bmmmm tsh tsh tsh tsh tsh rumble rumble tsh tsh tsh tsh" all day.

I've done better, I have the AWS and Vigalance allarm noises in my phone and a loud speaker on it, can you see where this is going?

 

[Respite]

I've done better, I have the AWS and Vigalance allarm noises in my phone and a loud speaker on it, can you see where this is going?

Don't ever try that on My train.......no really never ever. If I TIS the unit I can open that front door at speed ............

 

[Coxster]

Have you repeated the test on each unit? If not, the results mean nothing.

"......I have been conducting a very much non-scientific experiment......."​

Could be linked to atmospheric conditions, weather, battery life in phone, phone position, seating position, ariel orientation

Errrrm, yes. That's what I was thinking... hock:

 

[P156KWJ]

I have similar problems on mine, on 156s it works fine, whereas 158s, voyagers and modern stock distorts the signal. 185s I can't get ANYTHING al lot of the time hock:

 

[Gizmogle]

Holding phones above your head and against the window (as stupid as it may sound) works.
Obviously, big metal cages of trains aren't the best places to be getting signal.

Why not experiment with wire coat hangers and tin foil?

 

[Mojo]

Why not experiment with wire coat hangers and tin foil?

How about unwinding a wire coat hanger and when the doors are closing stick it out in a way so nobody notices so you have a better reception

 

[Nym]

How about unwinding a wire coat hanger and when the doors are closing stick it out in a way so nobody notices so you have a better reception

That would just extend the faraday cage of the train though, (if any metal was touching it)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Don't ever try that on My train.......no really never ever. If I TIS the unit I can open that front door at speed ............

Where is it you work out of? And I would never do it