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Looking For A Good FM Atenna Which One Do You Recommend

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What tuner are you using? It may be better to buy a new tuner rather than a new antenna depending on what you're currently using.

Otherwise, I agree that a rooftop antenna is the way to go since the others didn't work for you.
 
Just picked up a Kenwood KR-7400 for $125 FM selectivity seems kinda weak My Sony STR-6045 has better FM selectivity. The FM station I am trying to pick the Sony picks it up just fine the Kenwood does not pick it up.
 
Hmmm...Kenwood-Trio had some of the best tuners in that era. I'd say it's likely the tuner section needs some work.
 
If the tuner is out of alignment or dirty, a better antenna is a temporary fix at best. Bite the bullet and get the Kenny back where it should be, you won't regret it!
 
How far are you from the station? Are there any obstacles (mountains or buildings) between you and the station?

It's better to have a great antenna and a mediocre tuner than a great tuner and a crappy antenna.
 
As far as indoor antennas go, a seven-dollar set-top rabbit-ear is as good as any of the powered ones I ever tried. Never had a Silver Sleuth, though. To pull in a weak station, an outdoor model may be required and is functionally superior to any indoor. Higher the better, within reason.
 
DJboutit said:
Just picked up a Kenwood KR-7400 for $125 FM selectivity seems kinda weak My Sony STR-6045 has better FM selectivity. The FM station I am trying to pick the Sony picks it up just fine the Kenwood does not pick it up.
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It does sound like your Kenwood tuner may need some attention.

Remember that selectivity and sensitivity are not the same thing.

Selectivity is a tuners ability to separate two stations closely spaced in terms of frequency.

Sensitivity is the tuners ability to as they say pull in weak stations.

With a tuner that is working correctly, it if the reception issue is not being able to separate two stations closely spaced in frequency (selectivity), using an outdoor antenna is not likely to help.

If it is a case of the signal not being strong enough (sensitivity), then an outdoor antenna may help reception.

Lesterbest said:
A rooftop Yagi is what you need. Your case doesn't merit a rotor.

http://www.channelmaster.com/STEALTHtenna_Digital_HDTV_Outdoor_TV_Antenna_p/cm-3010hd.htm
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Yes an outdoor antenna may help reception, but your example is a very poor example. It is a TV antenna designed for the TV VHF high band and TV UHF channels. Its frequency range of reception does not cover the FM broadcast band (88 MHz to 108 MHz) see the picture below. This antenna's VHF coverage starts at 175 MHz, a long way from the FM broadcast band and even at that it only has 2 elements for that frequency range and as such is a rather low gain antenna for these frequencies, having at most 2 dB of VHF gain as specified by the manufacturer. Again see the picture below.


CHANNEL MASTER TV ANTENNA SPECS.JPG
 
Station I am trying to get is a 1 watt legal station station gets 20 miles range. Sony receiver is able to pick it up with a little static.
 
It appears from your description that it is an issue with sensitivity rather than selectivity. The tuner in the Kenwood seems to have some good specifications for its class and it should receive on par with the Sony if it is in good working order.

The condition of the Kenwood not withstanding, keep in mind that 1 watt is not a lot of transmitting power for an FM station, and this will make the location and orientation of quality indoor antenna important. Whether the antenna is an indoor antenna or an outdoor antenna there is no substitute for a full size correctly designed and built, resonant for the FM broadcast band, antenna.

Are you satisfied with the quality of reception that you have with the Sony receiver or would you like to improve the signal and reduce the static? Keep in mind that FM broadcast band signal reception varies by location and local conditions and what works for one person may or may not work for another person.
 
I have used both of the antennas you listed with marginal results.

An outside antenna is optimal but usually impractical.

I have had some acceptable results with an old set of "rabbit ears", but you can drive yourself nuts moving it around trying to get the best reception from each station.

In 30 years of playing with this stuff, IMHO, your best bang for the buck is a simple Dipole antenna.

YMMV
 
This is a 40 yr old unit. All symptoms indicate it needs alignment. Then use your friend Google to locate an FM only antenna. Then you can really enjoy FM.
 
Just my experience

Most Tuners don't really loose their alignment. I can only speak of various Yamaha tuners I've owned TX 950, TX900, T85,T80 which were spot on. It did cost me to check this out but I learned from this.YMMV

So I was trying to get LA FM stations about 120-140 miles from me in San Diego. I cheap as I am, bought a mid level Radio Shack antenna (this was 15 years ago) and well I could get these stations on a good day but not always (chem trails, bad moon rising?). My roof top antenna was maybe 30 feet above ground but 40- 50 feet would of been nice, the earth curves so thigh but not necessarily size matter.

Well 5 years I bought a Squeeze Box Touch ( I own 3 but they stooped making them) and I'm a very happy camper. I hate to say it but FM is dying. AM is alive and well if your into the 2nd amendment but I'm into music. YMMV Michael
 
MudSlideSlim said:
Just my experience

....

Well 5 years I bought a Squeeze Box Touch ( I own 3 but they stooped making them) and I'm a very happy camper. I hate to say it but FM is dying. AM is alive and well if your into the 2nd amendment but I'm into music. YMMV Michael
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true FM is dying but with your SB you can access some really cool community FM stations all over. Some good ones I have found: KWMR, KPTZ, KLOI, KZMU, KVMR, KKUP, WEVL, WFUV, WCKR, KFJC, KISL etc etc
 
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