I think I found the ultimate indoor antenna

[RxDx]

There is also the Stellar Labs 30-2460, 4 element blah blah. I can typically
get several DC-area stations, at ~100 miles (over 2 ridges, according to
fmfool). Looks like Newark Electronics is the cheapest source.

 

[z-adamson]

Who or what is a Denny?

Denny's antenna service

Look him up.

 

[Frozenoem1]

Denny’s In Michigan?

Just double checking.

Thanx

 

[Frozenoem1]

I use a Beambox as well and am very happy with the results. Pulls in everything I want... not on every tuner though. The right combination and this is a great WAF solution. Looks like just another piece of gear.

Come to think of it, I did use a beam box, here.

Wonder if my ex grabbed it, or where the heck it is? Hmmmm

Thanx

 

[1rebmem]

I bought the antenna that the OP suggested and straightened out the elements like automojo suggested in post 20 which yielded the strongest signal when hung in my attic. It is simply hung vertical on a nail driven into the rafter near the peak. Works fantastic!

On a side note, here is a HDTV antenna that really works well:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-TV-antenna/

Better than any of the 4 different antenna's I've bought and tried for over the air HDTV.

 

[Frozenoem1]

Found Beam box, blew 20 years of dust out it works.
20 Stations AND NPR a first for last 10 years.Something other than country!
HDTV is dream state up here, back to Quebec TV. Or Dish.For OTA broadcasts.
I tried the search for radio signals app, and finally got stations that only worked in car or truck.
Was beginning to think 31" lead and 31" antenna was the only way to go.

Thnx

 

[Airwaves]

Years ago I lived in a more rural area and had the Radio Shack FM6 yagi antenna that worked pretty well. Over the years after moving more into the "metro" I gave the FM-6 away.
Then for a number of years barely listened to FM radio. Recently my company implemented working from home and I discovered that FM reception from my home based basement office was poor.

Looking on Amazon I found the antenna that the OP is using. It arrived in a few days and meantime I had located a 50 foot run of 75 ohm coax that I ran from the attic down through to the basement.
My impression is that the antenna does a good job with my Rotel tuner and provides some back ground music options while working.

The link to the antenna:
https://www.amazon.com/Stellar-Labs...ional+antenna&qid=1555106992&s=gateway&sr=8-3

 

[matt e.]

There is also the Stellar Labs 30-2460, 4 element blah blah. I can typically
get several DC-area stations, at ~100 miles (over 2 ridges, according to
fmfool). Looks like Newark Electronics is the cheapest source.

That is a good price. Can I use two pointed in different directions and combine the signal into one 75 ohm coax? And also add a uhf yagi to the the same coax line? Every hdtv station in my area broadcasts on uhf so I have no need for a combo uhf/vhf antenna and I don't want to mess with a rotor.

 

[RxDx]

There are a couple of factors to consider. Distance between the FM antennas needs to
be at least a 1/4 wave (6 or 8 feet, IIRC) or you risk signal degradation. Length of
connecting coax for each antenna, ahead of the junction, is critical for best reception,
and I don't know those details. I'd start with one antenna and see if it gets the signals
you want.

Unless you're tuning FM and TV on the same set, it will work better to run separate coax.

 

[matt e.]

There are a couple of factors to consider. Distance between the FM antennas needs to
be at least a 1/4 wave (6 or 8 feet, IIRC) or you risk signal degradation. Length of
connecting coax for each antenna, ahead of the junction, is critical for best reception,
and I don't know those details. I'd start with one antenna and see if it gets the signals
you want.

Unless you're tuning FM and TV on the same set, it will work better to run separate coax.

Thanks, I ordered one from Newark and will see how it works out. My old combo vhf/uhf antenna didn't fare well from a winter ice storm losing a few elements. I decided to pass on getting a uhf antenna for HDTV since I use a streaming service anyway. The FM stations I listen to originate at 110 degrees/28miles and 169 degrees/15miles. I may see if I can salvage one section of my old antenna and mount it a few feet lower pointed toward the 169 degree station and then combine the signals from the 300 ohm twinlead prior to the 75ohm xfmr. Weather is finally cooperating so I won't mind climbing on the roof so much.

 

[Hobie1dog]

Great thread.

 

[ThomasD.]

Sorry, Late to the party here. Just found this thread while researching original OP's suggested antenna for my situation. Have up to 4 receivers that will need an FM antenna connection, sometimes simultaneously. Inside antenna's are not an option. Will need to place antenna in cold, difficult to access attic with manufactured trusses, i.e., wood, metal connector plates, asphalt shingles. We are located on a hillside and can actually see some of the towers but couldn't get any local TV stations with any antenna we tried, too many reflections due to topology I was told. So ended up having to go w/ satellite dish for TV. FM receptions is marginally better but have only used the interior twin lead antenna's for each receiver. Need a more permanent solution. Only 8 or so FM stations locally, next nearest radio stations are almost 350 miles away over the Alaska Range so they are not an option. Plan on ordering the antenna shortly but wondering what's the best way to connect multiple receivers to a single antenna? A coax splitter at antenna location or inside? Thanks

 

[matt e.]

Sorry, Late to the party here. Just found this thread while researching original OP's suggested antenna for my situation. Have up to 4 receivers that will need an FM antenna connection, sometimes simultaneously. Inside antenna's are not an option. Will need to place antenna in cold, difficult to access attic with manufactured trusses, i.e., wood, metal connector plates, asphalt shingles. We are located on a hillside and can actually see some of the towers but couldn't get any local TV stations with any antenna we tried, too many reflections due to topology I was told. So ended up having to go w/ satellite dish for TV. FM receptions is marginally better but have only used the interior twin lead antenna's for each receiver. Need a more permanent solution. Only 8 or so FM stations locally, next nearest radio stations are almost 350 miles away over the Alaska Range so they are not an option. Plan on ordering the antenna shortly but wondering what's the best way to connect multiple receivers to a single antenna? A coax splitter at antenna location or inside? Thanks

This 4-way splitter has about 7.2 dB insertion loss while the same mfr two-way splitter has about 3.5 dB insertion loss according to the data sheet. So each split will cost you performance. The Chicago CBS station only broadcasts with enough wattage to meet the minimum FCC regulation and obviously wants their viewers to either pay up via cable or through the CBS streaming service. My wife likes to watch a soap sometimes while at her office which is 3 stories up and in view of Sears Tower where the station originates. I ended up making a small dipole by stripping about a foot of 75 ohm cable and stretching the bare center wire and the bare shield wire in opposite directions. Pointed toward the tower we got an improvement, but never a satisfactorily consistent solution so my wife eventually signed up for CBS online access and pays them $5 or so a month so she can watch her soap. There is a formula maybe someone here can point you to that determines the dipole lengths for the frequency you wish to receive. So in other words if you tune your antenna to the frequency desired and point it correctly perhaps you won't need to buy an outdoor antenna at all especially if your towers are within eyesight.

Edit: try this link. If you use a piece of coax you won't need a matching xfmr. It's cheap and worth a try. http://www3.telus.net/shebang/antenna_length_calculator.html

 

[RxDx]

I'd put the splitter inside, and an amp at the antenna.

 

[Wizzer]

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...2-wave-omni-antenna-that-really-works.862303/
Found the antenna is much better when you straighten out the elements-and create a traditional vertical 1/2 wave antenna A 1/2 wave antenna with it's elements on a horizontal plane is not ideal for receiving FM radio signals in all directions- it's on the wrong plane-so to speak.
While it might not look as cool, you will be surprised by the difference in performance.
It's a simple mod to straighten out the elements, and flip the pole bracket.

Thanks Zadamson , Automojo and to Member Tronk whom posted a video relating to bending and installing this antenna vertically .
I have this antenna coming this week ,. The Yamaha CR2020 is a recent purchase and has passed the listening test soon it will be sent to the shop for a full recap and upgrades.
Set up in the bedroom the attic hatch is in the closet and best of all the antenna cable run is approved by the strick guidelines the wife imposes on some of my projects , lol .
Anyway I’m happy with this receiver and headphones they really do perform well together and best of all knowing overall performance will markedly improve with the purchase and modification of this antenna.

 

[59volvo]

or just get one of these

 

[johnda]

The Terk passive indoor antenna is being delivered today. We’ll see how it works with my Sony HD tuner.

 

[dewdude]

(over 2 ridges, according to
fmfool).

Probably knife edge diffraction. Bull Run is between LOS of me and Bluemont but my VHF signals find a way over.

 

[johnda]

I hooked up the Terk yesterday and did some listening last night. This model is a passive FM only antenna enclosed in a 5” x 5” by less than one inch thick case. Rather than take up space here, I will write a review and post it in the Equipment Reviews and Opinions section, probably in a day or two.

 

[Artie]

Wow! Is that a color organ? Haven't seen one of those since the 70's. (I love it.)