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Brainstorm AM Radio
Thu Jul 03, 2003
Listen in RealAudio 
Hi, I'm Bryan Yeaton; you're listening to The Weather Notebook, and it's time for another
Brainstorm.
You may already know that your AM radio can be used as a lightning detectorif not, we'll use
that on an upcoming Weather Notebook. But today, our Brainstormer has postulated another AM
puzzle.
What we try to do once a month or so, is to come up with a question dealing with weather and
other atmospheric sciences. Then you, our listeners, call or write in with your answers.
Here's what our Brainstormer has come up with.
As you drive across the countryside, or even across the country, you'll notice that frequency
modulation, or FM radio, squirrels out into static after a relatively short distance, or when
a mountain gets in the way of your signal. But not so with AMamplitude modulation. In fact,
you can often hear the stations in big cities hundredseven thousandsof miles from the
broadcast tower. The reason is not just wattage; it has to do with a trick of the atmosphere.
And that's what the Brainstormer is asking for this month: what, exactly, causes this, and how
does it work.
If you think you know, or can come up with a reasonably good stab, let us know. You can give
us a call toll-free, at (888) RAIN-001. That's (888) 724-6001. You can also e-mail us at
questions@weathernotebook.org.
Again, our question: please explain to our Brainstormer why he can hear those talk radio shows
so far away, but the good music wimps out far too soon.
If we use your answer on the air, you get a magic Weather Notebook mug, and worldwide
exposure. You can review this and other Brainstorms at our website www.weathernotebook.org.
Good Luck!
Our program is funded generously by The National Science Foundation, and Subaru, Driven by
What's Inside.
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