Recommendation for a FM antennae for vintage receiver.

playittwice

playittwice

Super Member
Does anyone have a preference for a good/decent FM antennae. Would like to find one for my Sherwood tube receiver and Sansui SS receiver. At the moment I’m using a piece of copper wire, not ideal but it works. There has to be something better, I’m thinking. Ideas welcome.

I should add, this is in a living room, so I would really rather not have something on the wall. Like the dipole “t” type. But if that’s the best option then so be it.
 
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My best FM antenna was a 20 foot long copper wire running around the eves of the house I grew up in.

If you really want something more pro like, look up dipole or powered FM antenna.
 
You might look at a Magnum Dynalab SR100 indoor antenna. Replaced a dipole with the SR100 today, night and day difference. I am able to receive stations now that previously did not receive. Sound quality improved also, less distortion.
 
The thing with an outdoor/attic configuration is you will need to drill holes in the wall or ceiling to get it to the receiver, correct? I have an attic antenna, but don’t think holes will be an approved method.
 
playittwice said:
Does anyone have a preference for a good/decent FM antennae. Would like to find one for my Sherwood tube receiver and Sansui SS receiver. At the moment I’m using a piece of copper wire, not ideal but it works. There has to be something better, I’m thinking. Ideas welcome.

I should add, this is in a living room, so I would really rather not have something on the wall. Like the dipole “t” type. But if that’s the best option then so be it.
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The dipole does not need to be a "T". I have one that uses lamp cord with asymmetrically folded 'arms' and push pinned to a wall- for some reason that gave the best reception in that location (scratches head). Doing this allows you to better hide it behind stuff.
 
A T shaped dipole is going to give you the best reception, with the arms spread out in a T shape. Sorry, but that's physics. Second to that would be a Terk amplified antenna.
 
I've used T shaped dipoles, even made my own easy peasy, they work better than any of the "amplified" models, rabbit ears, etc etc I've ever tried.

Another member recommended this, I now have two :D, one in a closet the other in the garage. Supposedly omnidirectional but I've found turning it while watching the signal strength meter on the tuner it's definitely somewhat directional. Also definitely better than a simple wire dipole.

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You need to know what area the OP is in. He could be in deep fringe and none of your suggestions will work.
 
playittwice said:
^ Does this just hook up to the 300 ohm terminal? One wire hook up?
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I connected it to the 75 ohm terminal, you can also use the 300 ohm terminals. The antenna leads have spade ends that allow a 75 ohm adaptor to be used. The 75 ohm adaptor is included with the antenna. The antenna is rather large, it makes it's presence known. For living room use you may want to conceal when not in use.
 
playittwice said:
Mind sharing your DIY skills? I like this option also. Easy peasy and cheap. Sign me up!
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You just need some flat antenna wire, the wire inside must be a continuous loop so the ends need to be twisted, with one interrupted in the middle, this will yield two ends to connect the Y, then connect the other end to the receiver/tuner.

There are calculators on the net for length of the T if aiming for a certain frequency, but this should get you in the ball park for most frequencies.

The overall length for the antenna should be about 150 cms, i.e. each leg should be 75 cms. This length should make the resonant frequency fall slightly in the lower half of the FM broadcast band, but often the more popular stations may be found in this region.
 
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