The FM signal is like a cloud. In some places it is very thick; in others it is thin. The trick is to get the radio or an antenna in the area where the signal cloud is thickest. And weather can make a difference. You may not have any trouble receiving 104.9 most of the time, but occasionally a weather front moving through will disturb the reception on a temporary basis. Here are some suggestions that may make your listening experience more enjoyable.

The new WCLV 104.9 signal is more powerful than the old 104.9 station, albeit not as powerful as the old WCLV 95.5 signal. However, it can be heard beyond Route 306 to the east, as far west as Norwalk and as far south as Mansfield. Akron listeners, depending on where they live, should note the suggestions below. 

IN PARMA, IN THE AREAS NEAR THE FM AND TV ANTENNA FARMS, RECEPTION HAS BEEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE RF FROM THE MANY TRANSMITTERS. HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF WCLV LISTENERS HAVE FOUND THAT AN HD RADIO WITH A RABBIT EAR ANTENNA BRINGS IN WCLV 104.9 LOUD AND CLEAR WITHOUT INTERFERENCE. WE'RE TOLD THAT THE RADIO SHACK HD RADIO WORKS WELL.

Reception of 104.9 can be improved with either a rabbit ear television antenna or an outside FM antenna pointed towards Avon. Sometimes just a length of twin-lead will help. You can get these antennas at Radio Shack or other radio-television outlets. Sometimes, simply moving the radio helps.

We have found a very good small radio that is designed for difficult FM reception situations. The Kloss Tivoli radio costs $125 and is available at AudioCraft.  We have a number of them at the station, and I have three of them at home. 

WCLV has reception problems at our studios because "The Fish" and WKRK are both broadcasting from the tower right above our studios and raining down considerable interference. We use both the Tivoli and Bose Wave radios to listen to ourselves. The Tivoli has dial tuning; the Bose, digital tuning. A listener also suggests the RCA Superadio AM/FM Radio, $38 at HH Gregg and also available at amazon.com for $40.00 with free shipping. This portable radio pulls in WCLV amid the highrises at Shaker Square. It will work on AC or batteries and has an antenna jack.  

Listeners with stereo receivers may find that there is an "FM Mute" button on the front of the receiver panel. The "FM Mute" button should be off. This button will mute an FM signal when it falls below a certain threshold. We have found a number of listeners who resolved their WCLV reception problems by simply turning the "FM Mute" off. Also in certain circumstances, turning off the FM stereo will help. The FM mono signal is more powerful than the stereo signal, and listening in mono may offer a big improvement in reception. 

Some radios such as the Bose Wave Radio use the power cord as the FM antenna.  Having it all neatly bunched up behind the radio on the kitchen counter may be detrimental to good reception.  Try arranging the power cord in a more "open" fashion for best reception of 104.9.  For such power cord antennas, add an extension cord and move it around.  Also try moving your radio to the left or right, at least 19" either way. Incidentally, Sony Walkman and similar radios use the earphone cord for the FM antenna. 

Generally, we are finding that if you get any signal at all, there is hope. And remember for many people, the signal is coming from the west, not the east.

.