FM boost?

dborzz

What do you guys recommend for boosting an FM signal, I am about 20 miles from Cleveland, OH and my reception is average at best. I would like to stay away from outdoor antennas, so anything not too expensive and indoors would be great! Thanks

fbm211

you could try one of those terk antennas that Ive seen in the parts express catalog. http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=fm+antenna&FTR=&search_type=main&WebPage_ID=3&x=27&y=13
Not sure if there any good.I never used one.

LessisNevermore

Avoid passive antennas, as I've never found one that did a very good job. Amplified is what you want, one that uses electricity. The rabbit ear design will probably get you better directionality, at the expense of looks.

steveinaz

What about an outdoor antenna mounted in your attic?

dborzz

I have an outdoor antenna and it is an absolute eyesore on the roof.....I would take it down but I have a very high roof and it sure looks slippery up there in the middle of winter. Plus there is no longer any wire running from it so.....oh well on that. I guess I just want something small and indoor that will help out some. Thanks so far for your help fellas!!

dborzz

Ohhh....you said in the attic steveinaz. Hmmm...didn't realize you could do that. I suppose that's something I can kick around, don't wanna spend alot of coin on it because I don't listen to the radio all that much honestly, but when I do it would be nice not to hear all that static...lol

Marty913

The Terk works better than the dipole-wire-type that usually comes with a receiver / tuner but not by a lot. I have one and it clears up the close-by stations a little and looks better but that's about it. Not a whole lot better than rabbit ears. Amplified is better for distance. Attic-Mounted is is way better, doesn't have to be amplified normally but you do have to run wires. That and you said you don't listen to radio very much. Most of my radio listening now is Internet radio so I only used the Terk occasionally.

I guess everybody's right on this one. Depends on how much trouble / money you want to invest.

dborzz

the less trouble and less money I can get away with the better, but I guess I shouldn't expect much huh? Oh well, thought I'd ask anyway. thanks

dudeinaroom

you could by a tv signal booster. I have one hooked up Form ant. to splitter to tv, and receiver. The on I have has a 25 db gain. I pull stations in from all over ( up to 3 hours away).Before I could only pick up 5 or six stations now I have way more than I can preset( almost every other station on the dial comes in.) The one I am using Is from Home depot, and has an fm trap switch(which is off). I think I paid $25 for it. I also have one with 10 db of gain and works almost as well, I think I paid around $12 for it at walmart. good luck.

Phil Dawson

I live way out in the sticks. 20 miles to the closest town and 25 miles to the next one with a mountain range in between (Montana). I put an FM antenna in the attic of my garage (we have winds up to 100mph here) and it works great. It seems like the cost was about $50.00 plus co-ax. I get between 15 and 20 stations. I can get the make and model of the antenna if you wish.
Good luck, Phil


SRA-SDS Front
2 cs400i Center
SRS-SDA Rear
Shure 12in sub
B&K ref 10 pre-pro upgr to ref 50
Techniques 1200 TT
Mac MR71 Tuna
Lexicon rt-20 uni player
HK citation pre for TT
2 PSE Studio Mono Blocks
4 PSE Studio Stereo Amps
1 Mac 2100 Amp for sub

dborzz

Hey Phil thanks for the reply, I would appreciate the make and model to give me a better idea of what I may need. Thanks again

Phil Dawson

The antenna is an Antenna Craft FM SS. It is a dipole style that comes folded up but extends out 3-4 feet in 4 directions. I got mine up into the attic space of my garage through a smallish access hole without any problems. It mounts with a bracket and I think it was a couple of screws into the wood. It is omni- directional so you don't have to adjust it. My cost was $45.00 form a place in Denver. I can get you that information too. Intrinsic Sound - great guys to deal with. By the way this antenna is passive so you don't have to mess with power. It works great. I can only get a few stations very weakly with a ribbon dipole and this gives me all of the stations in the area that I could hope to get.
Good Luck, Phil

SRA-SDS Front
2 cs400i Center
SRS-SDA Rear
Shure 12in sub
B&K ref 10 pre-pro upgr to ref 50
Techniques 1200 TT
Mac MR71 Tuna
Lexicon rt-20 uni player
HK citation pre for TT
2 PSE Studio Mono Blocks
4 PSE Studio Stereo Amps
1 Mac 2100 Amp for sub

dborzz

The funny thing is I have that exact same attic over the garage with a drop down ladder to climb into!! Sounds like a pretty simple solution and it is certainly better than going up on my rooftop which is way too high for my liking. Was hoping the strong winds that whipped through here last night would of ripped my old antenna off for me but oh well.

Mike Reeter

I've been thinking about one of these http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?misctunr&1237673622&/Godar-fm1a-fm-antenna-gene-rub

States it will pick up signals up to 150 miles

bikezappa

dborzz

Get the $10 rabbit ears and move them around for best sound.

RF amplifiers will not reduce the noise. Sorry.