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No more hissing or static !!!

fabvsix

fabvsix

Rajun Cajun Gumbo Man
After work on Friday, I dedicated my evening time to installing my long awaited antenna, cable, splitters for my stereo systems so I can enjoy FM radio. The G33 and the Onkyo share a cable to the antenna. I split at the antenna and ran a cable thru the attic (not fun I may add) to the G9 in the garage. Now I can enjoy FM stereo with a 110 mile radius. Are there better antenna's out there, probably so, but for now this $24.99 radioshack does the trick....total for everything: $140.00 give or take (cables, splitters etc.) :banana: :banana: :thmbsp:
 

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It's pointing up, I think

But why have you oriented it vertically? It should be horizontally oriented and pointing to the FM station(s) you're trying to capture. The driver element (where the antenna leads join) are the last element prior to the reflector element - usually the longest element and the last one on the boom.

Paul
 
No big deal to move it the other way around. It is picking up plenty of stations in the position....
 
Congratulations Fabvsix....

I'd be curious to hear your comments about how your FM listening experience has changed... I'm assuming you previously used a basic wire indoor dipole antenna.

Have you noticed a reduction in noise/interference by using an outdoor antenna? Are you experiencing a significant increase in signal strength?

Also, I am curious about the vertical mounting orientation of your antenna... it seems a bit unusual, as I am accustomed to seeing a horizontal orientation. Did you compare both ways, and what differences in signal quality did you experience!
 
When you say Horizontal, do you mean on the roof as opposed to on the side ? Or just the opposite in the same spot ?

I get much better reception ! More stations. I tested it in the house by having it in formal living room and ran the cable to the stereo as I could have placed it in the attic as well.

The G33 was known for picking up FM stations and making it sound like a CD as this was indicated in the manual and sales brocures ! They are correct !
 
As to the orientation of the antenna, the direction of the antenna is as follows:
If you hold the antenna with the longest rod against your chest and the bar level with the ground, and the shortest rod pointing away from you, the antenna is now aimed at whatever you point the shortest rod at. Got it? So you have it installed with the antenna aimed at the sky. This loses most of the gain and directionality of the antenna. It is now aimed in a line perpendicular to the elements.
Also, get rid of the balun and connct the cable directly to the 75 ohm connection on the receiver. You are losing 3dB through the balun.
 
Typically, you would see the antenna sitting on top of a short pole or mast.

The antenna itself would be normally be oriented in a horizontal plane, but the mast would be mounted vertically, attaching to the side of the house, a chimnet, or other suitable structure.

The mast need only be tall enough to allow the antenna to be clear of the roof or other nearby obstructions.
 
fabvsix said:
No big deal to move it the other way around. It is picking up plenty of stations in the position....
Click to expand...

Absolutely, you can run it in that orientation and it will work fine. I wasn't suggesting that you were wrong.

The only drawback to your vertical orientation could be image rejection, which will be negeligible, and forward gain, which will be much less than in a horizontal orientation.

The front-to-back ratio of an antenna like this yagi is the reason the yagi is the antenna of choice in a 'busy' FM market. If, for example, your favorite FM station is a 5000 watt classical FM station about 50 miles away in a NE direction at 103.1, and there is also a classic rock station ( :guitar: ) at 103.1 in a SW direction and also about 50 miles away, using your vertical antenna alignment you will receive both stations equally well and your G-33000 will have no chance of separating them. That is likely the most damaging issue with your vertical alignment - if it happens at all.

With the antenna set horizontial and pointing at that classical station, the classic rock station will be antennuated by at least 10dB and is unlkely to show up in your classical music!

Of course, there is always the option of classical-rock :banana:

Paul
 
Having grown up on the Florida Gulf Coast, I am not in the least bit surprised that someone who calls himself "Rajun Canjun Gumbo Man" would mount an FM antenna pointing at the wrong planet.

Its success does make me wonder about polarization.
 
fabvsix said:
Where would I find a 75 ohm connector ?
Click to expand...
All you have to do is cut off the connector on the end of the coax, strip the insulation back about 1", fold the shield back over the insulation. Strip the insulation on the center conductor back about 3/4". Now connect the cable to the 75 ohm input on the receiver. See that little clamp looking thing near the 300 ohm antenna terminals? That clamps over the shield that you folded back over the insulation. There is a screw just above the clamp for connecting the center conductor. Be careful not to lose the tiny screws that hold that clamp! Loosen them, but not enough for them to fall out, and shove the cable under the clamp. Then tighten the screws. If the clamp isn't tight on the cable, wrap some wire or solder wick around the cable.
 
Whitehall:
What does cooking have to do with electronics ? I'm NO engineer nor do I plan to be. That is what these marvelous web sites are for, besides ever deal with Radioshack Sales morons ? Try getting advise from those folks.........Give me a break !
 
Btw I just went to Lunardi's to pick up my "petite" fresh turkey to smoke then make a smoked turkey gumbo. I promise you Whitehall, you'll not find anything better out here!
Happy bird day ! :smoke: :smoke: :smoke: :smoke:
 
Sorry Fab, but I just couldn't resist that "wrong planet" snark. I'll try to be better.

But I guess antennas are like cooking - the proof is in the eating.

BTW, the best food at any nuclear power plant I've visited or worked at was at LP&L's Waterford, just upriver from New Orleans.
 
Wish I could get ahold of some authentic Andouille Saushit........ : :yes: :yes:

I know Diemitters (spelling??) in Palo Alto has it but too far for me from Antioch ! :no: :no:
 
Yes indeed! Andouille and red beans and rice and a couple or 6 Dixie Longnecks (swamp water never tasted so good).

But we digress.....
 
Whitehall:
I have the BEST beer for cajun food:
Original Schlenkerla SmokeBeer from Bamburg Germany. Manufactured since 1673! The Urbock is their winter reserve. Get it now.....www.smokebeer.com
I order it from an Albertson store director. You have to order 3 cases min. (20 bottles each) @1 p. 09 fl. oz. Total is @275.00 ! It is some of the BEST beer I've drank. It is red/bronze in color but is NOT a dark beer. Becareful as it WILL kick your a$$ as I believe it is 15.5% alcohol ! :beerchug: :beerchug:

Original Schlenkerla Rauchbier ! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah !

For the gumbo, I add a jar of fresh small oysters at the end to give it a slight seafood kick. Make sure to puree those okra's in the ROUX ! Oh yeah babe.....I just prepared my BRINE for the petite Turkey.......Here is last years 15 lb. bird.........
 

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As my email signature says......................................

Nothing beats a "Shclenkerla Smoke Bier"......The Original amongst the beers ! If it ain't Pitts and Spitts from www.pittsandspitts.com , you ain't smoken...... :banana: :banana: :banana:
 
When I saw this post, I though it was an Aprils Fools joke come early. Now I know its just a fools joke. How does one have a G33k & G9k and not know how to mount an Antenna properly..? Oh I forgot.. Northern California! that explains it all.

I guess there are no TV antennas on the Bayou? Duh!
 
LOL ! Actually the cable alone was picking up a clear reception, so I just did it that way. I think I gonna go with this companies product at seengineer.com. Oh well we live and we learn........back to all in the family and din din....
 
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