Indoor antenna suggestions

C. Ball

C. Ball

New Member
I am trying to get an appropriate antenna for a McIntosh tuner for my mother. The connections are these:

McIntosh Antenna ports.jpg

Since I need to start cheap and move up if things don't work out, I'm trying to go with an indoor antenna. My later father had rigged up something inside with a wire antenna at one point but all it has is a single U connector, but I can't figure out how to connect it properly.

Anyway, I was thinking of a Terk tower that should connect to the 75 Ohm port, according to the Terk diagram:
Screenshot 2024-11-23 at 11.22.17 AM.png


However, if there is something better I should do, I'm open to suggestions.

Currently, the reception is not good. If it helps, I want to pick up WQKR (NY Public Radio classical channel). The tuner is just over 30 miles from the broadcast tower.

Thank you.
 
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Just about any antenna should be able to pick up a station 30mi away. IMHO, stay away from amplified antennas, they just bring in noise don't really help with reception much.

If you want the "best" antenna, get a 1/2 wave one.
www.audioadvisor.com

Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna

<p>Don't starve your tuner for signals. Feed it the RF nourishment it needs with the Magnum Dynalab ST-2. It brings out the best in any quality tuner or receiver.</p>
www.audioadvisor.com www.audioadvisor.com

I use this on my main system, it works, perfectly, but it's expensive, it was much less when I got it.

Also have this in my garage system, works, very well, easy to setup.

Think it will work just fine for you.
 
This is a basic dipole antenna. It is cheap and effective. It is typically stretched out like a “T” as high as you can reasonably get it. I had one that I hid behind a hanging picture on the wall- not in T shape, but still worked well enough. It is lightweight and can be hung with tape or thumbtacks.

 
C. Ball: To use the $8 suggested 300 ohm antenna suggested in the last post by El Rubio You will need to modify the u shaped ends to fit into the snap connectors on the back of the receiver you posted a photo of. Good that you posted the photo. That antenna should work fine but can be somewhat ugly on the wall or ceiling. If you have access to the home it is in you could also use a relatively inexpensive antenna I recently purchased and like using the 75 ohm shielded input. You would have to cut off or bend the ends of the U shaped ears on the $8 300ohm antenna ends for connection to your receiver plugging one into the 300ohm and the other into the FM. Then move the antenna ends around to position that antenna for best signal from the wanted station. ( usually near a window ) . I recently purchased and installed a 75 ohm FM omnidirectional ( 360 degrees ) reception antenna on Amazon that arrived in just 3 or 4 days posted below. I did install it outside for optimal reception but one could also put it in an upper spare room corner near a window facing direction of station you are trying to receive or install in an attic space if you have access to that in the home. You would also need to purchase a 75 ohm cable long enough to reach wherever you want to put this antenna. The suggested antenna below needs some assembly but that is pretty obvious if you just spend a few minutes looking at it. It does also come with an assembly diagram. Done to keep shipping costs down. The cost was under $15 for me with free shipping and tax and it works great at 15 db boost of signal. I am about 55 to 60 miles west from Boston trying to get good signal from WCRB a classical station of low power FM signal compared to the BIG GUYS blasting rock , country and rap out of Boston. It works very well for me. My cable length is about 75 feet - that is about maximum before requiring an antenna amplifier as well. If my link does not work just Google Stellar FM antenna on Amazon and it will come up. These ship from MCM electronics I believe in NC.
Good luck no matter what you decide to do Mr. Bill

 
Starting point is the FM "tee" antenna that Brother Rubio suggested. Cut off the connectors and strip the wires...carefully...300 ohm twin lead can be fragile. Put the bare ends into the "FM" and "300" connections on the tuner/receiver. Mount on wall if you can like this:
20241124_080943.jpg
If it works, you are home free!

The old style TV "rabbit ears" are slightly better, as you can move them around better for best reception/least distortion.

If these cheap suggestions do not work, you may need a "real" antenna mounted in attic or outdoors. Good luck!
 
C. Ball said:
I am trying to get an appropriate antenna for a McIntosh tuner for my mother. The connections are these:

View attachment 3352095

Since I need to start cheap and move up if things don't work out, I'm trying to go with an indoor antenna. My later father had rigged up something inside with a wire antenna at one point but all it has is a single U connector, but I can't figure out how to connect it properly.

Anyway, I was thinking of a Terk tower that should connect to the 75 Ohm port, according to the Terk diagram:
View attachment 3352096


However, if there is something better I should do, I'm open to suggestions.

Currently, the reception is not good. If it helps, I want to pick up WQKR (NY Public Radio classical channel). The tuner is just over 30 miles from the broadcast tower.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
Did you mean WQXR? I looked up the station specs on radio-locator. TX power is only 610watts, but the antenna height is almost 1400’ above ground level. 30 miles is possible barring any major obstructions.
When your father installed an antenna previously, was he able to get this station? Post a pic of that “U” shaped connector. Maybe you have a functional antenna installed already. If the U shaped connector has 2 wires, maybe one side of the U fits into the antenna port marked FM and the other goes to 300 ohm.
 
Years ago we could get multi FM stations and spectacular reception by plugging the cablevision into the receiver but not no more. Now I use tee antennas made out of left over speaker wire, one in the basement and one upstairs in the living room. They work good for nearby stations but have trouble pulling in ones from far away. 60" across the tee is the magic measurement for FM. A long wire in the attic or on the roof would work better for AM.

One thing I do like about theses antenna is you can tell the quality of the FM capabilities of different receivers by using them. A decent receiver will sound good with a strong FM indicator light and meter reading while a poorer quality one will sound weak and staticky and might only flicker the indicator light if at all. All this while tuned to the same station. Another test tool in disguise.
FM Tee Ant.jpg
 
Along with poor and repetitive programming, even Public Radio has succumbed to almost 50% of broadcasting time to self-promotion and commercials. Like OTA TV: it all, mostly, sucks now.
 
I live in an urban area with several FM stations within 10 miles of my home. I have found that a short piece of wire stuck into the antenna jack is usually sufficient to get excellent quality reception without stringing dipoles or using active antennas. You might try that before spending money on a real antenna.

I absolutely NEVER listen to AM broadcast radio.
 
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