Why do AM radios pick up radio waves better at night?

Question

I am trying to pick up Yankees games on radio

Answer 1

"The ionosphere is relatively thin and affected by a steady stream of solar particles and radiation that pelt it day and night. During the day, it is not very reflective and AM radio waves, tend to bounce along the ground up to 100 miles (160.9 km) from the broadcast tower. The further away from the transmitter, the weaker the radio signal. At night though, it is a different story. The ionosphere becomes highly reflective. This allows AM waves to bounce off the ionosphere and travel great distances through the atmosphere, hundreds of miles in fact. Without some night-time curbs on AM stations, a Boston station could be knocked out by a stronger station in Chicago, or farther."

~hope that this helps

Answer 2

AM, or Amplitude Modulation, stations send their signals out from towers straight into the atmosphere. That's why on a clear night you can pick up a 50-thousand watt clear channel AM station 1, 2, or 3-thousand miles away.
FM, or Frequency Modulation, stations send their signals that bounce along the ground. The next time you drive through a tunnel all you'll get from AM'ers is a lot of static. Whereas the FM stations will be relatively clear.

Answer 3

Not at my house. Don't kill me for being a Sox fan, but here in Connecticut Red Sox games are broadcast on WTIC-AM, the most powerful AM station in CT. Once the sun goes down, all I get is muffled static. I actually get some interference from a Baltimore Orioles station. However, if I'm in my car, the station comes in loud and clear.

I'll never understand AM radio.

Answer 4

there's a good probability that that previous AM tube radio will do a more effective interest of grabbing that distant station at evening *if* it became properly made firstly. The antenna assembly is frequently a lot more effective and oftentimes lined the completed back conceal of the set. Don

Answer 5

I don't know where you live, but WHAM in Rochester does some Yankee games. It is on 1180, and it is 50,000 watts. If you are in the Northeast, you might be able to hear it after sunset.

Answer 6

Because they are really PM radios in disguise.

Answer 7

becuase FM sleep at night

Answer 8

Less solar interference.