C. Crane Twin Coil Ferrite AM Antenna Review

To be honest, I tried an "orphaned" TCF antenna and returned it, though not due to any fault in the unit itself. The extra tweaking needed was just not justified given the area I listen in, which already has pretty decent AM reception.

If your radio is in the free and clear, like the top of a wood-structure house, the TCF might not be for you. Bear in mind that there's no magic with radio antennas, and a powered device especially will amplify signal and noise equally, often yielding little or no audible improvement in listening quality.

Where a unit like this really shines is in an environment with compromised AM reception - like a basement or a steel-framed building - where you are able to put the antenna head out in the clear and run a cable to it. In such cases the TCF is an excellent solution to an old problem, and because it was designed by Chris Justice of C. Crane Co., it actually works as advertised, not like those photo-op pieces of plastic injection-molded junk from Terk and Radio Shack.

ONE CAVEAT - bear in mind that if you tune around a lot, you'll always be tweaking this thing, so decide ahead of time if that's for you. For extended program listening it's not really an issue.

And by all means go to CCrane's website and read up on AM reception. Those people are on the level.

I'd give you my opinion of Terk, but I just ate.

Hope that helps.

Postscript, May 26, 2008 : I just re-read my own review and think it was potentially misleading of me to suggest that the TCF is primarily useful when the antenna head is located remotely from a radio-frequency-shielded listening spot. The antenna is better than that and can work wonders with many radios, from small portables coupled "inductively", all the way up to expensive communications receivers with direct connections for external antennas. The TCF is highly directional, and having the antenna head close enough at hand to manually turn it is a great advantage. I probably should have been less stingy and given 5 stars.

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Product Description:
If you have a favorite AM radio station, but experience poor reception, the Twin Coil Ferrite ® AM Antenna may be just what you're looking for. This patented AM antenna doubles daytime reception, dramatically reduces nighttime fade out, and can even eliminate heavy static and distortion-it's a radio accelerator! Connect to your radio to hear distant low-power stations with amazing clarity. Works with any radio, from portables to home stereos, and includes a unique wireless ferrite stick for use with receivers without antenna connectors. Also includes a wire patch cord for radios with antenna connectors. The basic package comes with five feet of cable to connect the antenna to the tuner, but we also offer 25-foot and 50-foot extension cable kits. Ideal for boosting AM radio reception in brick, stucco, or metal-sided homes. Runs on included AC adapter or optional 9 Volt battery. Tuner Size: 3.3" W x 4.3" H x 2" D. Antenna Size: 8.5" W x 2.5" H x 1.3" D. (Pat. #US 6,529,169 B2)

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