improving FM reception

Norm Apter

Right now, I'm using the cheap, extremely thin plastic cord (about 6' long) that came with my AVR for FM reception. There are a few stations (ca. 20-23 miles away) that I'd like to get; they do come across (my Receiver registers them as "tuned"), but with just enough static to make it slightly annoying. Thus, I'd like to go up to the next step beyond the plastic dipole antenna, if there is one. Since I'm living in an apartment, outdoor antennas aren't really an option.

Has any one bought rabbit ears or any used any kind of UHF/VHF/FM "amplified antenna" for better FM reception? As for my budget, I suppose anything between $10 and $30 or so.

When I check out reviews of UHF/VHF/FM antennas at Amazon, I see that most people comment on their ability to pull in HD an SD channels; they rarely discuss FM reception.

mrmusicman

I also had that same problem a few years back and tried one of those amplified antennas and it didn't work well at all and seemed to be a complete waste of money.:mad:
My solution was satellite radio,no more static ,better music selection un-edited,and commercial free.I started out with XM for about 4 years and last year I changed to Sirus radio which I perfer for their rock and punk stations.I also have sirus in my truck so i basically don't do FM radio..screw em with their commercials,edited music,and same songs played over and over and over and over...............

Face

I agree, those amplified antennas are garbage.

The only way to get good FM reception is to get a real tuner.

Polkitup2

I get great reception with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-FM-4000-Amplified-Radio-Antenna/dp/B00009UHYC

Norm Apter

Polkitup2 wrote: »

I get great reception with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-FM-4000-Amplified-Radio-Antenna/dp/B00009UHYC

Thanks for the rec. May I ask if you reside in a rural, suburban or urban area? (I'm living in West Los Angeles -- we have tons of stations here relatively close proximity [under 25 miles]. So for me, its just about strengthening the signal, rather than picking up long-distance stations that I wouldn't otherwise get).

I am also wondering if you compared this model to one of those cheap plastic dipole antennas that comes with your receiver (what I'm using now) or if you just bought this without using one of those.

Libertyc

a set of rabbit ears with the fine tuning "clicker" knob works awesome.

Gadabout

Interesting read on the subject from Galen Audio

While it doesn't provide much help, there is a link provided for Magnum Dynalab Receivers and antennas. I would also add that I have had very good luck with Terk antennas in the past.

My location is pretty poor for FM reception, I switched to XM in the vehicle a long time ago and in the home I'm using the Polk XRt 12

danger boy

Norm, is your antenna close to a window? if not.. try and move it close to a window.. that may help.

I actually had some success with a Radio Shack amplified antenna as high up in my room as I could get it.. the thing looks like the Starship Enterprise.. LOL but you plug it into the wall. and it has a knob on it the front where you tune in your favorite station... and you can use high or low amplification. Although.. if your station is pretty static right now.. it may just add to the static.. but if your station is only slightly static, then this may help. I think they run about $30 or so.

ALso.. if it doesn't help your FM reception.. then take the FM amplifier back to the store.

*another solution.. most FM radio stations now broadcast their music over the internet.. so just look for that station on the internet and maybe listen to it that way.

steveinaz

I had good success with C. Crane's FM "Reflect" antenna:

http://www.ccrane.com/antennas/fm-antennas/fm-reflect-antenna.aspx

Very well made and excellent performance. This isn't your run of the mill flat dipole, this pup is thick, well-made and realy pulls in the stations without amplification. Amplified antennas are not the way to go.

bigaudiofanatic

i agree that sat radio is the way to got i use sirius i have had it for 3 years "not counting the 4 mounths that i didnt have a car so i canceled it and they refunded my money! great" I love it I ordered another unit for my bike and i have been using that for about 4 mounths now LOVE SIRIUS:D

markmarc

When I lived in Cheyenne, WY twenty plus years ago I invested in a Terk powered antennae. With it I was able to pick up Denver stations 100+ miles away.

A second possibility is to pick up a roof-top TV antennae from a garage sale and stick it in your rafters.

If your interested in separate tuner, get the Carver TX-11 or TX 2, damn things are amazing at getting stations other tuners can't find.

danger boy

Norm Apter wrote: »

Since I'm living in an apartment, outdoor antennas aren't really an option.

Norm lives in an apartment and can not mount an outdoor antenna. So he is looking for other options.

Polkitup2

Norm Apter wrote: »

Thanks for the rec. May I ask if you reside in a rural, suburban or urban area? (I'm living in West Los Angeles -- we have tons of stations here relatively close proximity [under 25 miles]. So for me, its just about strengthening the signal, rather than picking up long-distance stations that I wouldn't otherwise get).

I am also wondering if you compared this model to one of those cheap plastic dipole antennas that comes with your receiver (what I'm using now) or if you just bought this without using one of those.

I live in the burbs. The plastic dipole didn't work well at all. I too needed it just for improving the local stations reception. The Terk works great for me.
My rig is in my basement. I use the cheaper 12 -15 dollar Terk upstairs and it sigificantly outperfoms the plastic wire that I use to use.

Norm Apter

Cool. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I think I am going to pursue a multi-pronged approach, so to speak, since results seem like they could vary, depending on location. I am going to head out to Radio Shack this afternoon and will probably pick up a few to test them out, with the intention of returning the ones that don't cut it. I'll probably order the Terk FM 400 directly from Amazon as well. Since Amazon has a 30-day return policy, I would only be out return shipping costs if it doesn't work as well as the models from RS.

And Markmarc, thanks for the heads-up on the Carver TX line. In fact, at some point down the line I intend to pick up a dedicated PRE and thus will need a separate tuner. This gives me a good starting point for looking, when that day comes.

Face

McIntosh and Kenwood also made some great tuners back in the day. My old MX-115 had no problems picking up stations over 60 miles away(CT and NJ), with only a small piece of 18ga wire as a antenna.

Norm Apter

Thanks, Face. I'll add McIntosh and Kenwood to my list of tuner brands.

BTW, I went to RS this afternoon and purchased three antennas, all in the same Radio Shack family: (1) a very simple set of rabbit ears (15-1874) for $11.99, (2) a so-called HDTV/FM HD Radio Contemporary Antenna (15-1868) for $19.99, and (3) the VHF/UHF/HD/FM Indoor Amplified Antenna (15-1878) that Danger Boy (Al) mentioned, just on sale today for $24.99 (regular $32.99).

My wife and I first tested them on our HT Receiver in the living room, moving from least expensive to most expensive. The 11.99 one provided significant improvement over the old plastic dipole. But the 19.99 one sounded perfect, bringing in the two hiphop stations she wanted, each of which had significant static previously, with crystal clear signals. Then we tried the amplified antenna, the most expensive of the bunch, and very surprisingly the static was almost as bad as the dipole. I plugged in the cord and switched on the gain but the static just got louder, something that you mentioned as a distinct possibility. When I held the amplied one up closer to the window and moved it all around, pointing the ears in all kinds of directions/angles, I still couldn't get it to sound as good as the cheapest one. So, moral of the story is that the efficacy of each model probably depends more on one's specific location from radio transmitter stations, how powerful the signal broadcast is, the placement in one's room etc. etc., more than an objective/measureable level of quality. Thus, we decided on the 19.99 one for the HT receiver. I then took the 11.99 one into the bedroom for the 2 channel rig. Hooked it up, and discovered that moving it as far up the wall as possible improved signal. So, there was one jazz station that was coming across with some medium static before. Now, it sounds not perfect but very, very good (enough to be listenable which is the key). I think these are the best results I'm going to achieve short of mounting an outdoor antenna.

You know, in this hobby where the sky is the limit in terms of money one can spend, sometimes it feels really good to arrive at a satisfying low-cost solution.

Thanks again for everybody's input.

danger boy

Norm, good work.. and you're only out a few buck for a new antenna.. i'm glad one of them helped improve your FM reception..

dorokusai

Norm - I've used a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 in conjunction with a Magnum Dynalab MD-205 Signal Sleuth with stellar results for years. That being said, I rarely listen to FM but it's been the best combination that I've found. None of that Terk gear has ever worked well for me but some folks like it.

I understand what you're saying about signal strength as opposed to crosstalk noise. It might be what you need(MD-205) since you "re-tune" it by actual frequency as a companion to your actual tuner. I have a NIB one if you're interested. Check out the link and read about it.