Andrew wrote:

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The irritating chattering and buzzing that affected 88.50 Mhz
disappeared after a few hours. Mystery.

The worst of the hissing must have been my loft-mounted FM 3 element
horizontal aeriel because the cap that seals the connectors is
missing. The humidity levels in the loft vary with the seasons and
weather, being ventilated and the connectors needed a good clean
with some wire wool.


** Loft mounting is still essentially an indoor antenna with all the associated drawbacks.

The antenna is close to multiple sources of interference in the house, has no line of sight over other roofs and whenever the roof material becomes wet, it acts like an RF shield.

As you live "50 miles" from the FMTX and are "slightly hidden" by terrain PLUS you chose a low gain 3 element antenna the signal level has always been marginal - at best.



..... Phil