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Good FM Antenna?

HuskySpade

HuskySpade

Sharpener
I've been looking at some antennas because a major feature of one of my receivers is just sitting un-used... And thats the tuner.. It only lacks an antenna.

With a nice pair of acoustic speakers now on the home system, the desire has returned to bring FM broadcasts back into my home audio experience. Something thats been lacking for much time because of analog, optical and digital media...

I've checked out a few antennas online and the brand I come across most is TERK. Which I know is a reputable brand when it comes to antennas.

But, they have a $10 Multi or Omni-Direction antenna [Terk FM+] (depending upon placement orientation) and than a "Pin Point" FM antenna which runs $60.[Terk AF1 Amplified Antenna] All the user reviews i've read on this more expensive Terk antenna are unfavorable, saying that it was pointless to spend the extra $50 on an antenna that performs as well as the $10 antenna.

But to be honest, I don't know much at all about radio antennas for home systems, and was hoping some of you AKers could shed some light...

Which antenna would you recommend? Is there an antenna that integrates AM and FM? Anyone use the Terk antennas mentioned above? Whats an amplified antenna?

I'm really looking forward to getting my favorite jazz station on my acoustic speakers... =)

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
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In my experience, amplified antennas (including Terk) have done more harm than good. Simple rabbit ears or a wire dipole have always worked better for me. Of course, an outdoor or attic antenna is best.
 
You can build a nice wooden frame one...I have one (an AM antenna) that I built using oak and wire...total investment of about $10. I also have a larger FM antenna I built out of pine. My new project is building a base for the antenna so I can have a small motor for directional tuning. The hardest part in building your own antennas is finding flat 300 ohm balanced, twin-lead cable to run from the antenna to your antenna inputs...that stuff is going the way of the dodo bird (you know you are old when the kid in the electronics store looks at you like you are crazy when you explain "They use to use this stuff for hooking up tv antennas"). I guess I should just get some 4:1 baluns and use 75 ohm coax.
 
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The right antenna will largely depend on what problems you have receiving. If you have low signal strength. If you have multipath problems, you'll want a really directional antenna.

Wineguard has always been good. I don't know if they're still in business, though. ...they make outdoor antennas for putting on masts. They make antenna rotators too.
 
Please go to FMFool and put in your exact location including height above ground. Then post a link to the final page with all the charts and graphs here.

Without more specific information (like your FM Fool)...

Its likely that an FM Reflect from C Crane, Twinlead Dipole or Rabbit Ears will be your best options.

If you have really strong signals and a lot of multipath (very close in to a classic high rise big city) then you will want something like the BIC Beambox FM8 or FM10, or the Godar FM1a on a Lazy Susan.

Post up your FM Fool, then can decide which is the better option.
 
RichPA said:
In my experience, amplified antennas (including Terk) have done more harm than good. Simple rabbit ears or a wire dipole have always worked better for me. Of course, an outdoor or attic antenna is best.
Click to expand...

I've had good results with my Terk, but for most things I just use a good pair of rabbit ears.
 
Or you could scroll down to the bottom of this page and contact one of our sponsors! :music:


fmdxantenna.com

(No affiliation)
 
You wont likely overload with an amplified unit. And you dont need the BeamBox treatment.

Twinlead Dipole, FM Reflect, Rabbit Ears will likely do you well.

Here is a reference for what is available on the market in FM antennas these days (and days past).

Amplifiers are unlikely to negatively affect you in any significant way...and can increase the range of your antenna. An Adjustable gain VHF/FM/UHF Indoor Antenna will probably work well. Even without an amplifier.

If you have some stored away then use those.

Otherwise maybe a Phillips MANT 510 which has adjustable gain amplifier, and nice sturdy-ish telescoping VHF(FM) elements that extend to 40" a side.

Another is the Philips SDV2750. While Im not as enthusiastic about the VHF telescoping elements on this one.....it has an interesting seperate gain level control for VHF and UHF.

There really isnt much way to go wrong in your situation. (Unless you have Brick, Stucco, Masonry, Concrete, or Metal Siding, Foil Radiant Barrier, or Foil backed insulation).
 
I seem to have left the impression that I favor an amplified unit over an unamplified unit. That is incorrect.

Rabbit Ears and Twinlead FM Dipole unamplified are my primary recommendations.

You can even use Rabbit Ears with UHF Loops made for Television use. (Some units have FM Traps (though most that do are of the amplified variety)).
 
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Thanks for the tip to Fmfool. Your display shows where your best stations lie. The left hand circular map shows station signal strength on an Azimuth map where top is North.
The right hand table lists stations by their call sign. strongest to weakest. The path column tells you how strong is the station, eg, LOS means Line-Of-Sight(you should be able to see the stations antenna).
The Azimuth map shows you need an antenna that is omni-directional. So a vertical mounted up high would probably suit you best.
Now I'm off to get a plot of my own location.
 
Hello,
Some years past I too was looking for an FM Antenna. I acquired this product 'THE SUPER ANTENNA MKlll' . It does a very good job at pulling weak stations. It is very versatile, the Broadband design covers the range from analog channels 2 to 69, including the entire FM band. It also cover Digital channels, including over-the-air HDTV. This last inclusion (HDTV) could be of significant importance for you guys in USA, not so much for us in Canada. I included the URL for you to look at.
Cheers.
www.uhfmag.com/AudiophileStore.html

When the page open, go to the end of the page and click on, MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES
PS: I have no association with this mag.
 
There is another way to pull a multitude of FM stations to your Tuner. If you have a cable antenna of any type connected to your TV ie...Roof antenna, Satellite dish antenna, Digital cable antenna etc...etc... get a splitter (a one in two) available at Radio Shacks or similar electronics stores ($2.00) also two extra 75Ω cable. Screw the antenna cable to the IN on the splitter and then, screw the other two 75Ω cable to the OUT. One cable will go back to your TV and the second to your receiver. Your TV antenna is able to bring not only, Analog, Digital and HD signals but also Digital FM stations to your receiver. Total cost, $2.00 for the spliter and $3.00 to $10.00 for the Cables.
Cheers.
 
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