Would this antenna work?

Oldwriter

I have persistant noise on my FM - though I've put 4-db+ noise filters on line, etc.
Now, several audiophile friends have suggested a rather novel way to get better reception - and I'd like some input.
Right now, I'm using a Terk powered antenna - to get our favorite NPR station about 30 miles away - flat landscape.
Now to the "woo-woo" part - our house is framed in steel, not wood, studs. And these folks are suggesting that I simply sink a screw into one of the studs, then do the following.
Cut off one end of a 75-ohm cable, and strip away the shield for about an inch or so, leaving a bare center wire.
Plug the cable into the FM antenna connection on the receiver.
Wrap the bare center wire around the screw that's into a metal stud - and tighten the screw.
They claim that will use the whole house as an antenna - but hope for some input on this before I go to the work.
Thanks - LR

nemos2

Oldwriter,

I am by no means an antenna expert, but It sounds like what you are suggesting would work. The only draw back that I can think of is that along with the radio signal that you would picking up, you might get a ton of other noise as well.......

amulford

Yes, It would work. But as nemos said, you would open up the possibility of getting alot of other EMF noise as well. I say give it a shot, WTH. If it doesn't do what you want, just disconnect it.

Oldwriter

. . .ready or not. Within the hour I'll be doing the "antenna thing," and will post the results early this evening. I agree that I stand a good chance of picking up more noise than signal, but then perhaps it wouldn't be much worse than the constant "frying" sound I get constantly - except when I hold the powered antenna up in the air over my head.
Now that creates a very strange look in the living room, and my wife says the "Statue of Liberty" look is passe' - hmmm. . .
Latr - with thanks - LR

Zen Dragon

Of course if you know the height of the antenna in your house brings you a better signal, and are confident it is not simply the fact of you physically holding it (the human body often makes a fine antenna) then you could simply buy an extension to your coax cable, run it up the wall in a corner, and mount the antenna up where it will receive a strong signal.

Oldwriter

Well, I've connected a 75-ohm lead to the receiver antenna input, and stripped off about an inch of insulation at the other end. Screwed a brass screw into the metal wall stud, wrapped the core wire around it, tightened the screw, and - voila!
The "frying" noise is cut by about 75 per cent, though at high volume, there is still some distortion and "splaying" sound.
Later, I'll try some bell wire at the end of the 75-ohm wire, run it up a wall, and see if that's any better still.
Hoping - and thanks to y'all! Larry R.

Oldwriter

Well, I guessed that perhaps my power strip MIGHT be the cause of some interference - and turns out that it was - just a bit.
So - I awayed to the store and bought a new Belkin combination surge protector and 43 db noise filter. Un-huh - got rid of even more noise - so my wife is even happier. Not happy enough to make martinis for me, but happier, anyway! (grin)
May not try the wire, unless the current setup just doesn't work. Right now, I've got plug-in noise filters on refrigerator, computer and portable phone - plus the ones on the wall for the stereo system. Hoping that helps - and so far, so better.
Respectfully, Larry R.

nemos2

Oldwriter,

Glad to hear that it worked. You mentioned that you have a niose filter on the fridge....what kind and where did you get it? Just wondered...

thanks

Oldwriter

Yo - got the Belkin single-plug unit at Home Depot - 1,000 joules unit, and fairly good - not the greatest, but a help. It has 43 db noise reduction, which is what I really wanted even more than the surge protection. That one is on the refrigerator - got a six-plug unit - Belkin - for the Stereo center, where I've got CD player, TV set and receiver plugged in. It, also, has 43 db noise filter as well as surge protection. Hope it helps!
The FM sounds so much better now, and I'll still try the wire antenna tomorrow - but don't expect any dramatic increase in noise-free reception.
The "whole-house" antenna is a revelation to me - but the guy out at the Boulder FM station says its being done all the time in the Denve area - with great success. Most houses out there use the steel-beam stud construction, rather than wood, at least according to him.
Away to more music - sigh - the wife says she can now stand to be in the room with the FM! Whoopeee - any victory is welcome for me!
Respectfully, Larry R.