E Willson said:
Gary,
Thanks for the comment. Is this any more unsafe than driving a car with
the radio on?
EJ,
Here's my take on the issue. I don't listen to music/radio while riding
for a couple of reasons:
1. I find hearing to be a key sense in figuring out what's going on around
me. For example, as a vehicle is passing me, I track its approach with
occasional glances in the helmet mirror, and then I can see it as it pulls
alongside and past. But, there's a time when the car gets close enough
that I can track it by listening (even for fairly quiet cars), and I don't
have to keep glancing in the mirror.
Another example is if a car is following me, I can hear the engine rev --
this gives me a cue that something is happening, and I know it without
looking and before any visual cues regardless. And the pattern of revving
can be a cue in identifying maniacs.
In a car, these subtle cues are mostly moot because of closed windows,
wind noise, engine noise, etc.
2. Listening to something decreases my situational awareness. Like others
in this thread, I turn off my car radio when I need full concentration on
the road. I think that appropriate situational awareness is greater on a
bicycle than a car (due to lack of steel cage and other protective
technology).
To answer your actual question, I don't believe either FM or AM antennas
are particularly directional. However, they may be polarized, i.e. a
horizontal antenna would be practically useless. (The same applies for
cell phones, which is why you should hold them roughly vertically in use.)
Also, a portable device might be too small for a really effective radio. I
believe FM and AM require longish antennas, on the order of a couple of
feet. One thing you could try is using your frame as an antenna, or tape
an antenna along your seat tube.
Good luck,
Reid
