Total ignoramus with one simple question!

[Mooly]

It doesn't look too good from the pics I'm afraid.

I see four screws holding the cover where the wire comes out. Curious to know what is under that connection wise.

With radio sometimes unexpected things work although I think you could be on to a loser here unfortunately. I suppose we are all assuming it isn't faulty (it probably isn't).
Does it work OK anywhere, different room/house/upstairs etc ?

Was your Aiwa a portable or a small music/midi centre ? If you know the model number of it we could see what you were used too.

[MarcelvdG]

Usually there is not that much difference in sensitivity between good and bad radio's, the main difference is how well they can handle interference from strong undesired stations. So unless Nicole lives close to an undesired FM station, I expect that the problem is the crappy aerial rather than the radio electronics.

I think DF96's idea of having the uncle place an aerial socket is a good suggestion. The actual aerial should be placed high and far away from digital electronics, such as the Ipod dock itself.

[MarcelvdG]

Regarding stereo/mono switching, you could also turn it into mono externally with a circuit like this, consisting of two resistors and a four-pole turnover switch. Disadvantage is that when you switch to mono with this circuit, the bass becomes boomier and you loose some volume. But maybe that's still better than the hiss.

[dhaen]

If you have a roof aerial(antenna) or cable provided feed of FM radio, it may be possible to couple this to your receiver.
A little empirical testing will be needed, but essentially you will be adding a transmitting (or re-radiating) antenna close to the receiver.
Try this:
Assuming a coaxial feed: Connect a short length- maybe 20cm of wire to the coax inner conductor and tape this across the rear or base of the receiver. Then tape a similar length of the coax to the mains lead [no electrical connection!].
Assuming a balanced 300 ohm feed: Connect 1 leg to the 20cm wire and connect the other to another 20cm wire and tape it to the mains lead.

If the above does not give sufficient improvement you might invest in a signal booster (amplifier to fit in-line).

It might also be possible to use an indoor antenna but a signal booster will more than likely be required.

This kind of system works because often cheap equipment uses the attached cables - power lead; earphone cables as part of the receiving antenna.

To all the rf aficionados: I know there will be a serious mis-match but one of the the antenna standing waves may well hit a standing wave node of the receiver's antenna...

[DF96]

He has a crude FM antenna already, so that should be the place to attach anything external. No need to try capacitive coupling. (with or without "standing waves")

[scott17]

Originally Posted by Wavebourn

You better buy another receiver. Search for Degen DE1103, it is like a powerful military grade communications receiver in a civilian case. 10 times cheaper than worth.

I'll second Wavebourn's suggestion. The Degen brand, also sold as Kaito brand, offers excellent receivers for a fair price. I have this one and the tuner section is excellent. It has external antenna connections as well as stereo line out.

KA2100, Table Radio for super sound quality

I have no affiliation with Kaito or Degen.