FM antenna for vintage receiver

Knucklehead

Reception at my house has always been poor. Or maybe just reccomend one to me. thanks, David

mshan242700

Not a cheap option, but supposed to be the best: http://www.magnumdynalab.com/fmantenna-st2.htm

Knucklehead

Keiko wrote: »

Always been an issue with me too. I've tried a few products and even powered antennas which were a complete waste for me. The best solution I've found is using a cheap set of Rabbit Ears that can be bought at any Radio Shack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103077#

Thanks, I think I might try that, as long as I can get a few local channels ill be happy.

mshan242700, thanks for the link, Im not sure I want to have to physically mount anything to the exterior, it always an option though.

mhardy6647

You cannot beat an outdoor directional FM Yagi. Is an outdoor (or attic mount) antenna a possibility for you?

They're not particularly expensive but unless all stations you listen to are in one direction relative to your home, you'll also need a rotator.

Here's an example.

http://www.starkelectronic.com/ac.htm

Knucklehead

mhardy6647 wrote: »

You cannot beat an outdoor directional FM Yagi. Is an outdoor (or attic mount) antenna a possibility for you?

They're not particularly expensive but unless all stations you listen to are in one direction relative to your home, you'll also need a rotator.

Here's an example.

http://www.starkelectronic.com/ac.htm

Yeah thats always a possibility as my attic space is large enough....I was hoping for a simple solution....LOL.

mhardy6647

I'd opine that an FM Yagi installation is very simple :-)

Next best bet is actually a dipole, believe it or not. They're directional (figure 8 receiving pattern). One nice thing is you can tune the legs of the dipole to resonate at the exact frequency of your favorite station if you really only listen to one station.

http://www.kgnu.org/ht/helpfm.html

The Magnum Dynalab mentioned earlier is a fair antenna at a high price. YMMV, though.

I use older Radio Shack amplified set-top antennas on the FM tuners in the LR and FR;these are fine for mono in our deep fringe location; stereo is noisy in the FR on the Boston stations. The tuner in the LR is mono-only and sounds fantastic -- stereo is highly overrated!

Generally, amplification doesn't buy you that much; the noise as well as signal is amplified, but an amplifier may be helpful if your signal situation is really borderline (i.e., almost enough but not quite there for full quieting in mono or stereo).

Another high-performance option is a J-pole.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=53582

The "Godar" passive indoor FM mini-Yagi isn't scary expensive, but reviews are decidedly mixed.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=210-090

The sine qua non of FM antennas is generally held to be the APS. 'spensive. They have an indoor antenna, too. I don't know anything about it.
http://www.antennaperformance.com

Knucklehead

good reading.....I like the idea of making my own antenna.

mhardy6647

PM me if you want a hank of good quality 300 ohm twinlead :-)

Knucklehead

I sent you a PM mhardy....:)

Knucklehead

Thanks big time to mhardy6647, he sent me about 15' of high quality twin lead. Here's what I made....works great...Thanks so much mhardy.

mhardy6647

de nada. Glad to hear it works well!

Did you "tune" the dipole for any particular region of the spectrum, or cut it to mid-band?

They aren't the most esthetically-pleasing antennae out there, but sometimes they can be hidden behind a curtain or such :-)

Knucklehead

I have no earthly idea...:) I cut 2 6 foot lenghts and T tapped it in the middle.