FM antenna for Sony STR 6800sd

[si.kwoi.uh]

How do I get an FM antenna for my Sony STR-6800? I don’t know where to find one. Thanks!

 

[goodolpg]

There are several types of antennas. I looked at the back of your unit and see
a simple T (dipole) type might work fine. Some hardware ot big box stores might have them. Otherwise ebay is a good source.

 

[swechsler]

You can also go all-out and get an attic or roof-mount antenna if you want to pull in some faraway stations. Something like this. Of course you'll then need a run of RG6 coax from the antenna to your receiver.

If you decide to go the high quality antenna route, I highly recommend a high gain passive antenna rather than one with a built-in amp.

 

[Capitol C]

You can also go all-out and get an attic or roof-mount antenna if you want to pull in some faraway stations. Something like this. Of course you'll then need a run of RG6 coax from the antenna to your receiver.

If you decide to go the high quality antenna route, I highly recommend a high gain passive antenna rather than one with a built-in amp.

If it is possible for you, this is the way to go. I live in Washington, DC, but have my antenna pointed towards a station that I like in Baltimore. It still gets the local stations. Yes, I know about radio stations via the internet, but it is fun keeping the old equipment running. I have also experimented with an RF amplifier where the roof antenna line enters the house, and it helps some in my case, but can be easily removed if it didn't.

 

[swechsler]

I have also experimented with an RF amplifier where the roof antenna line enters the house, and it helps some in my case, but can be easily removed if it didn't.

Adding an RF amplifier is not a bad thing; my objection was more with the flimsy antennas that include a built-in amp. The manufacturers that make these think that they can scrimp on the antenna portion and then make it up with a cheap amp; the problem there is that sometimes you're amplifying a noisy signal, which can give you more noise. Better to start with a quality passive antenna and then add an amp only if it's needed, as you did.

 

[JoeESP9]

The three local college stations broadcast OTA and stream on the internet. All three sound better through my Accuphase T-101 than steaming through a laptop and an external DAC.

 

[ernieb1536]

Adding an RF amplifier is not a bad thing; my objection was more with the flimsy antennas that include a built-in amp. The manufacturers that make these think that they can scrimp on the antenna portion and then make it up with a cheap amp; the problem there is that sometimes you're amplifying a noisy signal, which can give you more noise. Better to start with a quality passive antenna and then add an amp only if it's needed, as you did.

Same goes for digital tv antenna run a large passive with a distribution amp to make up lose in cable and 3 tv connection works great !

 

[swechsler]

The three local college stations broadcast OTA and stream on the internet. All three sound better through my Accuphase T-101 than steaming through a laptop and an external DAC.

This isn't surprising. Radio stations frequently stream at 128kbs or lower.

 

[Capitol C]

Adding an RF amplifier is not a bad thing; my objection was more with the flimsy antennas that include a built-in amp. The manufacturers that make these think that they can scrimp on the antenna portion and then make it up with a cheap amp; the problem there is that sometimes you're amplifying a noisy signal, which can give you more noise. Better to start with a quality passive antenna and then add an amp only if it's needed, as you did.

I agree completely, and had no intention of defending the built-in amp antennas. I had one a number of years ago, and found that the basic folded T antenna suggested by goodolpg (second posting in the string) worked better.

 

[goodolpg]

OP didn't state what kind of antenna he wanted so I googled his receiver and saw it had 4 screws for antenna connections.
I always go for cheap and easy when possible, and outside of a strand of wire, a dipole/T type is about as easy as it gets and is cheap. Next I'd say would be rabbit ears or amplified antenna.
Effort (and cost) can go up considerably with some other options. Some people don't want the bother of putting an antenna on their roof or a tall pole, or even in the attic and then running wires/cable from the attic to the receiver.
Maybe OP will be happy with the dipole, maybe he'll want something better, he didn't give any clues in his first post.