Reception Tips

KBCS upgraded its antenna system to an Omni-directional pattern. As a result reception in some areas East and Northeast of the Bellevue community college campus, where the KBCS transmitter is located, have changed.

Cars driving in Kirkland, Redmond and the Issaquah area may notice more multipath or static. Car antennas are vertically polarized and there has been a slight reduction in vertical power with the new antenna in these areas. Making sure you car antenna is fully extended and working properly is the only advice we have at this time.

For home listeners in the above-mentioned areas there are several options. For table or portable radios simply moving the position of the radio or antenna orientation may fix the problem. For home stereos or radios that have a hookup for an external antenna there are several types of external antennas. There are basically 2 groups of antennas those mounted indoors and those mounted outdoors.

The most simple and least expensive type of indoor antenna is the Dipole antenna, Radio shack model 42-2385, cost $3.29. This type of antenna is a simple wire antenna that can be tacked to the wall in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. When mounted horizontally the broad side of the antenna should be directed towards the KBCS transmitter on the BCC campus. Move the antenna around till the signal comes in clear. A set of TV rabbit ears also can work well as a simple dipole antenna.

Radio shack also offers 3 other types of indoor antennas.
2 models sit on the stereo or shelf, the last model can hide behind drapes and can be painted over.
The least expensive is model #15-1843, cost $14.99. This model is a passive antenna much like the dipole and needs no power. The middle unit is model #15-1833, cost $29.99. This model plugs into the wall and does amplify the signal; it also has an adjustable knob to select which frequency will be amplified.
The wall mount unit is Model 15-1846, cost $39.99. This unit also plugs into the wall and provides some amplification of the signal.