April 15, 2004
human antenna
what is it that makes humans the best antennas: the tv only comes in clear if you stand .5 feet away from it and to the left corner, the radio only comes in without static if you stand right in front of it, and the itrip on my ipod only produces a decent signal if I hold it in my hand at 12 o'clock on the steering wheel. is there nothing that can mimic our conductiveness? I'd rather be lying down on the couch across the room to watch tv, or be able to move around listening to the radio, or being able to put the ipod down so I can answer my cell phone and drink my coffee as I drive stick in LA traffic.
Posted by sugi_grl at April 15, 2004 07:48 AM
stop wrapping foil around your head!
Posted by: jendhi at April 15, 2004 09:26 AMits just you baby!! stop being so electrifing (sp?) :)
Posted by: claudia at April 15, 2004 02:17 PMYou 'become' part of the antenna.
In a building, this improves the reception because Antennas react to the human body by adjusting the radio frequency of an ungrounded radio, even changing the frequency when touched. In other words, when you touch the antenna, you are a very effective 'ground', and you 'absorb' the intereference in the building, improving the reception.
However, outside, you might have the effect of making it worse, since conventional antennas de-tune and lose efficiency interacting with RF-absorbing human tissues like the hand or head.
Posted by: peter at June 9, 2004 06:16 AM
