Page 79 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

LETTERS & EMAILS

“My Hitachi FT-5500 FM tuner, with a loft aerial pointed at Sutton Coldfield, works well” says Ray
Spink. “I used the signal strength meter to confirm that Sutton Coldfield was still the best transmit-
ter for home use” in Nottingham.

still going down the servicing route or then in the north of Nottinghamshire, my Sony portable (by ear) to confirm
leave well alone. If the former, do you reception was patchy, Radio 4 always that Sutton Coldfield was still the best
know of anyone who carries out the the worst. Does the compression which transmitter for home use.
type of work I require? I believe Radio 2, Classic FM and most Sutton Coldfield (SC) and
Regards, commercial stations use, help their Peterborough (P) are the nearest
Hugh Marks reception? I now live in the south in transmitters but Nottingham is on the
Nottingham and I cannot get R4 in edge of four transmitters that could
Hi Hugh. One of the advantages of Netherfield – yup Field Bottom! It is be received: Belmont (B) and Holme
old equipment is there's a proper not in a valley but on the end of an Moss (HM) are the other two. I parked
on/off switch – which means that escarpment. on the top of a nearby hill and I could
rather than sitting on your shelf I used https://www.bbc.co.uk/ receive R2 on all four transmitters.
consuming electricity and wearing receptionsearch and a copy of the Radio Radio 1 and 3 was picked-up from SC,
out components from the moment Listeners Guide to find which transmitter HM & B. Radio 4 from SC, HM & P.
you plugged it in, your Technics has would give the strongest signal. The Why Peterborough for Radio 4 and not
only suffered internal wear when website gives frequencies, direction, and Belmont? Stick that in your pipe BBC
you had it switched on. So rather a prediction of the reception quality of and smoke it!
than having 45 years of wear, it is the transmitters e.g. Good. My car, in which I suffer poor R4
probably less than 5 years all told. It I was looking to get good reception reception, is a Rover 75 (Great British
could probably do with some new on BBC Radios 1,2,3 and 4 on my Engineering, as are my Naim amps,
electrolytic capacitors as 45 years of Hitachi FT-5500 FM tuner, with a loft Epos ES14s and Garrard deck-fully
life will tend to dry them out. aerial pointed at Sutton Coldfield. No fettled by the Great Britisher: Dr. Martin
Other than that there is probably hills or buildings in the way so all works Bastin). I assume the rear de-mister
nothing else that could be changed to well. I recently used both the signal acts as the aerial on the Rover, not
give it any kind of service. The issue strength meter on the Hitachi and the Garrard! I have checked the aerial
will most probably be – will it make
any difference to the way it sounds?
I have to say it might be subtle but if
you want to do it I am quite happy
to replace capacitors for you. It’s not
expensive to do as the components
are less than £10 and requires a
couple of hours work at most. By
all means drop me a message and
perhaps we can arrange something.
Regards
Dave Tutt
+44 (0)7759 105932
dave_london@hotmail.com
www.tutt-technology.co.uk

RADIO 4
Thanks for passing on my letter to
the BBC about difficulties with Radio
4 reception. The answer was, indeed,
comprehensive. Thanks also, to Mike,
for his website suggestion which shows
current faults – but my problem goes "My Garrard deck is fully fettled by the Great Britisher Dr. Martin
back years. Bastin" says Ray Spink. Our picture is Noel Keywood's Garrard
Even when I lived in the middle and 401, also fettled by Dr Martin Bastin.

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 79