Cambridge Sound Works SoundWorks Radio 820HD Instruction Manual

FM Antenna Input
an “F” connector jack
AM Antenna Input
a 3.5 mm minijack
Antenna Input Identication

Antennas Provided with the SoundWorks Radio 820HD
Connect one FM antenna and the AM antenna.
FM dipole antenna,
with push-on connector
-best overall reception-
see page 2
-1-
FM wire antenna
with push-on connector
-for strong signal areas-
easily to conceal
see page 4
FM telescoping whip antenna,
with screw-on connector
-for strong signal areas-
easily adjusted for dierent stations
see page 3
AM loop antenna,
with miniplug push-on connector
required for AM radio reception
see page 5
Wrench
for installing
FM telescoping whip antenna
Active section
Lead-in section

Connect the FM antenna
Dipole Antenna
1) The dipole antenna provides the best reception of the
three antennas when properly positioned. The dipole an-
tenna consists of an active section and a lead-in section (see
illustration on previous page).
2) Position the active section of the dipole antenna against
a wall or along a at surface of a non-metallic piece of
furniture. Keep the active section of the dipole as straight as
possible. Use thumbtacks or brads to secure the ends and
the middle of the active section.
3) Connect the dipole antenna to the SoundWorks Radio
820HD by pushing the connector plug onto the FM an-
tenna input. You can coil excess length of the lead-in
section, then secure it with twist ties or tape.
Note:
The active section of the dipole antenna can be positioned
horizontally or vertically. Placing the dipole antenna on an
outside wall improves reception. The active section of the
dipole antenna can also be positioned along a baseboard.
Try a dierent placements and orientations of the active
section to determine the best overall reception.
-2-
Dipole Antenna
Placement

-3-
Telescoping Whip Antenna
The telescoping whip antenna provides good reception
and can be easily adjusted. With adjustment factored in, it
may perform the best of the three antennas.
Once properly installed, the telescoping whip antenna will
remain at any position you place it.
To Install:
a) Push the end of the antenna with the nut onto the FM
connector.
b) Slip the supplied wrench around the antenna and slip
it up against the nut end of the whip antenna. The wrench
anges will be close to touching the back of the radio
when you have successfully slipped it onto the antenna
nut.
c) Tighten the antenna nut securely.
d) Remove the wrench, then push the antenna upright.
Extend the whip antenna, then adjust for best reception
on a particular station, as required.
Note:
For FM stations below 94 mHz, the antenna will always
perform best if fully extended. Stations above 98 mHz may
benet from a reduction in length of up to 2-3 inches.
a) b)
c) d)

-4-
Wire Antenna
1) If all the desired FM stations have strong signal strength,
the wire antenna can be used. It is the easiest of the three
antennas to install and conceal.
2) Connect the wire antenna to the SoundWorks Radio
820HD by pushing the connector plug onto the FM an-
tenna input.
3) The wire antenna can work well simply hanging down
from the back of a desk or bookcase. Experiment with the
position of the antenna wire, keeping it as straight and
extended as possible.
If you nd a single position for the antenna that receives
all stations well, tape it in place. Reposition the antenna as
required to get the best signal for the desired station.
Two Orientations for the
Wire Antenna
If there is a wall behind
the radio, let the antenna
hang straight down.
Run the wire antenna
along the edge of a table
or just underneath the
edge of the table.
1.
2.

-5-
2)
1)
3) 4)
AM Antenna
1) Identify the AM Antenna.
2) Fold the base as shown.
3) Snap the tab on the loop into the slot in the base to
complete the AM Antenna assembly. Be careful not to
pinch the connecting wire.
4) The nished antenna will stand upright, as shown.
5) Insert the AM Antenna plug into the AM antenna input,
which is directly underneath the FM antenna input.
6) Position the AM antenna 8 inches away from AC power
lines or equipment to minimize AM interference.
The AM Antenna is mildly directional, so rotate it to nd
the best signal for each AM station. A single position can
often be found that works well with all AM stations of
interest.
5)

-6-
Other Antenna Options
The FM antennas and the AM antenna provided with the
SoundWorks Radio 820HD will work well in most locations
that get adequate FM and AM reception on conventional
radio receivers. But there may an FM or AM station of
interest where reception is marginal. To improve recep-
tion in marginal cases, re-positioning the antenna or using
a larger antenna (or both) are the only reliable ways of
improving reception.
In this section, some suggestions for improved, user-sup-
plied FM and AM antennas are made.
Screw On “F” plug on the end
of an antenna cable and a
Screw On to Push On adapter.
Screw On to Push On
adapter installed.
A Note About Connecting A User-Supplied FM Antenna
The SoundWorks Radio FM antenna input is an“F” connector
socket. For easy connection, an user supplied FM antenna or
coax cable should have a push-on “F” connector plug. Most
retail FM and TV antenna products come with a screw-on “F”
connector plug. To use one of these products, obtain a “screw-
on to push-on” adapter plug for an “F” connector This part is
available at many Radio Shack and Walmart retail stores.
Part numbers for this adapter:
Radio Shack 278-218 and 278-291
Philips USA PH61026
RCA VH68
Some antennas or coax cables will have a screw-on “F” con-
nector plug that is small enough to slip through the plastic
antenna wrench supplied with the SoundWorks Radio 820HD.
In this case, use the wrench to attach the antenna.

A typical “rabbit ear” style antenna, with “F” connector
and User-Supplied Screw On to Push On adapter.
“Rabbit Ears” fully extended. This
conguration will provide the
best reception when rotated or
repositioned for peak signal strength
on a specic station.
“Rabbit Ears” in the more convenient,
one-ear vertical conguration. This
arrangement will receive most stations
well. Some experimentation will be
required to nd a single location that
works on your favorite stations.
Other Antenna Options (continued)
The following suggestions must be supplied by the owner of the
SoundWorks Radio 820HD.
FM Reception:
INDOOR FM ANTENNA OPTIONS: The common“rabbit ears”
antenna (normally associated with TV reception) is a superb FM
antenna. Placed on top of or behind a shelf or other large piece
of furniture, this antenna provides great FM reception at a very
low price.
The advantages this antenna has compared to the supplied FM
dipole are:
An increase in signal strength when both arms are fully
extended.
Easier repositioning for dierent FM stations, especially
if the antenna is used in the "one ear vertical" mode.
The disadvantage of this antenna is its large size when both ears
are fully extended.
Look for a simple model with no extraneous loops, knobs or
switches. These features don’t help FM reception and increase
the price. Insist on an antenna with a“shielded” lead-in wire ter-
minated by an“F” style connector plug. Do not choose a model
with a at lead wire terminated by two spade lugs. There is no
reasonable way to attach spade lugs to a SoundWorks Radio
820HD. Good examples of the desired style antenna are the
RCA ANT-110 and RCA ANT-111.
-7-

-8-
Additional Antenna Options
If you live more than 20 miles from an FM transmitter of
interest and you live in a wood frame building, consider
placing or mounting an FM antenna in the top of the build-
ing (attic or crawl space). Run additional coax lead-in wire
to the radio. “Rabbit Ears” could be used for this purpose.
It is also possible to use an FM antenna designed for
outdoor use in an attic or crawl space. The performance
will not be as good as outdoor mounting but it will still be
much better than lower down in the residence.
The best overall radio reception can be obtained from an
FM antenna designed for outdoor use mounted on a roof-
top. Some examples follow:
Winegard PR-6000 (length 33”, width 65”),
an directional antenna, good if all stations are in
roughly the same direction.
Antennacraft FMSS (max width 54”),
an omnidirectional antenna, better if the stations of
interest are located in widely dierent directions.
Am Antenna Options
The Wire Loop AM antenna included with the SoundWorks
Radio 820HD is a precise match for the AM tuner. The only
reliable way to boost AM signal strength is to place a tunable,
sympathetic booster antenna next to the Wire Loop AM
antenna. This type of booster antenna is passive. No wire
connection is needed. The dial on the booster antenna should
be adjusted for peak signal strength after tuning in an AM
station.
Two models of this kind of antenna are:
Terk AM Advantage
C. Crane Select-A-Tenna Regular Model

Rev 1_8
English