Tuner Antenna

finfan
finfan Posts: 35
edited June 2011 in Electronics
Just curious if most people use the supplied antennas that come with their receivers or do they upgrade their antennas? I have a Yamaha TX-497 tuner that I run in one of the inputs on my receiver and the stations come in terrible!

Any suggestions on what might be wrong or good antennas to buy? I saw this one on Vann's website that looked okay.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/750019241/terk-am-fm?s_c=site_search
Receiver - Onkyo TX - NR807
CD Player - Onkyo C-S5VL
Bluray Player - Playstation 3
Turntable - Sony PS-LX110
Tuner - Yamaha TX-497
Main Speakers - Polk Audio RT 2000I
Center Speaker - Polk Audio CSI 400I
Rear speakers - Polk Audio FX 500I
10" Sub - Polk Audio PSW 450
TV - Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9
Post edited by finfan on
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Comments

  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited June 2011
    When I was using my Parasound 1600 tuner for AM, I think I just used the factory one that came with it, worked great. For FM ,I used a RS HDTV( VHF,UHF, FM) rabbit ears antenna that cost about 20 bucks 2 years ago. To be honest, I haven't read many outstanding reviews on any___ of the Terk antennas.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited June 2011
    Hello,
    In order to make a meaningful antenna recommendation we'll need a few details. Can you tell us the approximate distance you are from the stations you want to receive? Less than 10 miles, more than 10 miles but less than 25? What kind of terrain is between you and the stations? Fairly high hills, low hills, pancake flat? How about tall buildings? Lot's of them around you? What is acceptable? Must be discrete and fit behind the audio cabinet? Could put something on the wall if it looked okay? Skies the limit, I can put something in the attic or on the roof with no problem? Also, are all of the stations in the same general direction away from you? Or, do some face in one direction and others in different directions?
    Regards, Ken
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,986
    edited June 2011
    I'm not a fan of any of the powered antenna's. there could be several problems. One is that most receivers do not have very good tuner sections. 2 If you have aluminium siding that can also seriously cut down on the signal. If you have a dipole antenna (looks like a T) that came with the Yamaha see if it gets a good signal by a window. Your best bet would be to get an outdoor antenna and RG6 coax cable and get you tuner a signal that way.

    hope this helps
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  • finfan
    finfan Posts: 35
    edited June 2011
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    Hello,
    In order to make a meaningful antenna recommendation we'll need a few details. Can you tell us the approximate distance you are from the stations you want to receive? Less than 10 miles, more than 10 miles but less than 25? What kind of terrain is between you and the stations? Fairly high hills, low hills, pancake flat? How about tall buildings? Lot's of them around you? What is acceptable? Must be discrete and fit behind the audio cabinet? Could put something on the wall if it looked okay? Skies the limit, I can put something in the attic or on the roof with no problem? Also, are all of the stations in the same general direction away from you? Or, do some face in one direction and others in different directions?
    Regards, Ken


    The radio stations that I am trying to get I should have no problem getting. They are local channels that are probably not even 20 miles from my apartment. My tuner is hooked into one of the input channels on my receiver. I figured I would get a better sound listening to a separate tuner instead of using the built in tuner on the receiver.

    However the sound is terrible. Lots of static, I have the regular antenna that came with the receiver hanging on top of my TV stand next to the TV.
    Receiver - Onkyo TX - NR807
    CD Player - Onkyo C-S5VL
    Bluray Player - Playstation 3
    Turntable - Sony PS-LX110
    Tuner - Yamaha TX-497
    Main Speakers - Polk Audio RT 2000I
    Center Speaker - Polk Audio CSI 400I
    Rear speakers - Polk Audio FX 500I
    10" Sub - Polk Audio PSW 450
    TV - Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited June 2011
    which input on back are you plugging into on the Yammy? Are you trying to get FM and AM stations? AM stations are hard to get inside a building, have to put antenna next to the window or outside wall.
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  • finfan
    finfan Posts: 35
    edited June 2011
    I am wondering if coaxial cables would help or not. When I get my new receiver I will try the built in tuner on that instead. The only reason I bought the yamaha tuner was some of the receivers I have had in the past had horrible built in tuners.

    I am just trying to get local FM stations.
    Receiver - Onkyo TX - NR807
    CD Player - Onkyo C-S5VL
    Bluray Player - Playstation 3
    Turntable - Sony PS-LX110
    Tuner - Yamaha TX-497
    Main Speakers - Polk Audio RT 2000I
    Center Speaker - Polk Audio CSI 400I
    Rear speakers - Polk Audio FX 500I
    10" Sub - Polk Audio PSW 450
    TV - Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited June 2011
    Sorry fin, I meant to ask which input on the back of your Onkyo are you plugging your tuner into? Coax cable would help with shielding.
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  • finfan
    finfan Posts: 35
    edited June 2011
    I have the tuner plugged into one of the spare inputs. I called Onkyo technical support and they told me to use one of the inputs that wasn't being used. It is plugged into the input under tv/tape. There is no input for tuner so Onkyo technical support said that would be okay to use for the tuner.
    Receiver - Onkyo TX - NR807
    CD Player - Onkyo C-S5VL
    Bluray Player - Playstation 3
    Turntable - Sony PS-LX110
    Tuner - Yamaha TX-497
    Main Speakers - Polk Audio RT 2000I
    Center Speaker - Polk Audio CSI 400I
    Rear speakers - Polk Audio FX 500I
    10" Sub - Polk Audio PSW 450
    TV - Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited June 2011
    Hello,
    Does your tuner have a signal strength meter? If so, what is the strength? I'm assuming you had similar problems with the receiver? I'm also assuming you used the same antenna for both the receiver and tuner, correct?
    Regards, Ken
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited June 2011
    Lol, I was about to ask him the same questions Kenneth.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,385
    edited June 2011
    While looking around terk is not the way to go...look at Winegard better products
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited June 2011
    I've yet to find a Terk that worked at all and nothing has worked better than the Magnum Dynalab simple whip I installed on the roof.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,175
    edited June 2011
    Try the Godar antenna if you want a great indoor antenna.
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited June 2011
    Which Onkyo do you have?

    Can you take a pic of the back panel of it and post it here?
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,986
    edited June 2011
    finfan wrote: »
    However the sound is terrible. Lots of static, I have the regular antenna that came with the receiver hanging on top of my TV stand next to the TV.


    That is a VERY bad place for antenna's....WAY to much interferance from the TV
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,986
    edited June 2011
    also which yamaha tuner do you have?
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  • finfan
    finfan Posts: 35
    edited June 2011
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    also which yamaha tuner do you have?

    tx-497
    Receiver - Onkyo TX - NR807
    CD Player - Onkyo C-S5VL
    Bluray Player - Playstation 3
    Turntable - Sony PS-LX110
    Tuner - Yamaha TX-497
    Main Speakers - Polk Audio RT 2000I
    Center Speaker - Polk Audio CSI 400I
    Rear speakers - Polk Audio FX 500I
    10" Sub - Polk Audio PSW 450
    TV - Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9
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  • finfan
    finfan Posts: 35
    edited June 2011
    Joe08867 wrote: »
    Which Onkyo do you have?

    Can you take a pic of the back panel of it and post it here?


    I have the Onkyo TX-NR807 right now but today my new one comes UPS. I was going to put my other one up for sale in the classifieds but it says I don't have enough posts to do it.
    Receiver - Onkyo TX - NR807
    CD Player - Onkyo C-S5VL
    Bluray Player - Playstation 3
    Turntable - Sony PS-LX110
    Tuner - Yamaha TX-497
    Main Speakers - Polk Audio RT 2000I
    Center Speaker - Polk Audio CSI 400I
    Rear speakers - Polk Audio FX 500I
    10" Sub - Polk Audio PSW 450
    TV - Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited June 2011
    You have an antenna connection on the back of that receiver. It is just to the left of the AM antenna connectors.

    onkyo-tx-nr807-av-receiver-front-back-panel.jpg
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited June 2011
    If you are serious about FM reception, you need the biggest Yagi type antenna you can afford, with a rotor, and on a properly grounded mast at least 35 feet up.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,140
    edited June 2011
    I use the one that came with my Denon I also bought a terk and did not get better reception with it, so the factory one suits me fine.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,385
    edited June 2011
    Easiest thing to do is get a music server like squeeze box, or a sonos and get any radio station u want. my .02
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited June 2011
    I bought the Terk and it didn't work for me, but the $1.99 300ohm dipole antenna I bought online, did a very good job.
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