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Fm Antenna For Mr 85

C220MC275

C220MC275

Duke,Louis,Ella,Oscar...
Hello dear members,

I will receive these days a MR85 tuner.
I would like to know if someone uses it with an internal fm antenna, and which one.
Magnum Dynalab makes an horrible one ( MDSR100 ). Did someone try it ?
They also state that the ST 2 Vertical Omnidirectionnal antenna, could be used indoor. Did someone try it ?
A technician told ma that amplified antennas could generate a hum in the tuner and would not be a good solution.
Any thoughts ?

In advance thank you !

Jerome
 
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C220MC275 said:
Hello dear members,

I will receive these days a MR85 tuner.
I would like to know if someone uses it with an internal fm antenna, and which one.
Magnum Dynalab makes an horrible one ( MDSR100 ). Did someone try it ?
They also state that the ST 2 Vertical Omnidirectionnal antenna, could be used indoor. Did someone try it ?
A technician told ma that amplified antennas could generate a hum in the tuner and would not be a good solution.
Any thoughts ?

Jerome
Click to expand...

Frankly I don't think much is to be gained with indoor `set top´ FM antennas, especially for Mc systems. You could staple an inexpensive folded dipole in the corner [of room] or hang it vertically behind the window curtain. An active set-top antenna could hum or overload with RF power causing IM products to splatter all over the FM band. Avoid amplified antennas in urban areas with strong stations in the vicinity.

The object is to get an antenna as high up as possible and to reduce multipath if possible, i.e. reflected signals that arrive with a delay. Could you put a turnstile (basically two folded dipoles rotated 90°) in the attic? You can make a turnstile with two folded dipoles, or even fabricate one out of twinlead. http://kalx.berkeley.edu/recept/rooftop.htm

Here are three outdoor choices: http://www.winegard.com/offair/fm.htm

Unfortunately the Channel Master 4408 Stereo Probe has been discontinued: http://www.starkelectronic.com/quantum2.htm

Here are more FM antennas: http://www.starkelectronic.com/fm.htm

A McIntosh tuner is great for background classical music, or even the progressive college radio station. Some of you might even like that classic satanic rock stuff. :)

-Gregory
 
Jerome - I see this is your first post. Welcome. I too have a MR85 and use an old pair of rabbit ears from a long gone TV. They work pretty well. I do wonder though how much improvement could be had with a real antenna.
 
These guys make what are supposed to be the best FM antennas (antennae?) around

http://www.antennaperformance.com/

I recently had an TV antenna and rotor installed on my roof. It makes a huge improvement in FM for me as well. The real FM pros say that a cheap tuner on a good antenna is much more effective than a great tuner on a bad antenna.

For lots more info on tuners, try this site

http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/
 
Putzing around with any kind of "exotic" indoor antenna is a big waste of time. Get an outdoor antenna and put it up - you'll wonder why you waited so long to do it.

Murray
 
FM antenna

I use the FM antenna from from one of the advertisers here. FM Antennas
I works real well, I have it about 20 feet off the ground - outdoors and get all kinds of stations.

I tried a few indoor antennas and they were all terrible.
 
Antenna For Mr85

Thanks To Al Of You For Your Advices !!

Jerome

C220
Mc275
Mcd201
Lp12/ Lvx/ Goldring 1042
Final 1.4 Mk2 Esl Full Range Speakers
Final S220 Subwoofer
 
skippy_ps said:
Well, some people are never satisfied. No matter what it is, they always gotta have more.

Murray
Click to expand...

And I thought I was a cheap so and so. Unless you have experienced dialing in a station and fine tuning from the listening chair...well, kind of like putting a rooftop antenna up for the first time. :zoom:


Carl
 
Hepcat said:
That ST-2 is no better than a piece of wire. Most indoor antennas are gimmicks.
Click to expand...

I gotta (respectively) disagree here..
I'm using an ST2 with my MR85 and am very satisfied with the results. I'm sure it's no match for an outdoor remote controlled unidirectional, but if you can place it in a high point inside or outside or of the house, I think it will yield very good results.
Thanks
CS
 
CarlV said:
And I thought I was a cheap so and so. Unless you have experienced dialing in a station and fine tuning from the listening chair...well, kind of like putting a rooftop antenna up for the first time. :zoom:


Carl
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was looking at a few rotaters and I guess the remote controlled ones make the most sense. Which one are you using?

Murray
 
I've said it before and I'll say it again: feeding a great tuner with a crummy antenna is like putting cheap gas into a Ferrari. A good tuner deserves as good an antenna as one can afford.
Tom
 
CarlV said:
The Channel Master 9521A one.

http://www.starkelectronic.com/rotor.htm


Carl
Click to expand...

Yeah.. now that is slick. It's a Channel Master rotor with a digital controller and remote unit. I have the same motor only with an older mechanical control box. Think of how you'd use it. Are you operating the tuner by remote? or tuning it while standing in front of the equipment?

Also scroll down the page to the Mast Bearing with guy wires. This is highly recommended so your antenna doesn't go down in the wind. You'll need transmission line, rotor control wire, and guy wire. Don't forget turnbuckles in each of the guys to plumb the mast!!

This hardware is affordable and would be a great project for the Mc fan who likes outdoor projects. :) While at it, and if your Mc tuner has an ANTENNA Switch, why not put up both a Turnstile Omni (clamped to the vent pipe) and a Yagi?

-Gregory
 
sully1801 said:
I gotta (respectively) disagree here..
I'm using an ST2 with my MR85 and am very satisfied with the results. I'm sure it's no match for an outdoor remote controlled unidirectional, but if you can place it in a high point inside or outside or of the house, I think it will yield very good results.
Thanks
CS
Click to expand...

I think the ST-2 has some merit. It's a vertically polarized half-wave monopole and may achieve additional gain over a shorter quarter-wave monopole. One would have to see it's SWR and broadside GAIN chart to make additional comments.

When it says `concentrating focus in the horizontal plane´ I think that simply means it's an OMNI with a slightly reduced elevation pattern as mentioned above. It is true that higher gain and tighter beamwidth will reduce multipath (fade and flutter) but this kind of description is usually seen with bigger antennas. Also, it really can't be considered a `fringe´ antenna, and it's claim of `passing FM signals to your tuner circuitry´ probably means its well matched to the 75 ohm transmission line impedance.

I think the ST-2 is a quality monopole FM antenna made from quality material and would work fine. Could work ok on the porch of an apartment, but best to mount on the top-side of the roof. Mounting in a tree isn't recommended. :)

BTW, since most FM stations radiate circular polarization, it doesn't really matter if you choose horizontal elements or vertical elements. Most monopoles are oriented vertical, and most dipoles horizontal.

-Gregory


The excellent selectivity of the McIntosh MR-- permits tuning of stations that are impossible to receive with other tuners.
 
Gregory said:
Yeah.. now that is slick. It's a Channel Master rotor with a digital controller and remote unit. I have the same motor only with an older mechanical control box. Think of how you'd use it. Are you operating the tuner by remote? or tuning it while standing in front of the equipment?
Click to expand...

Nope, no remote for the MR67. Most of the time I use the tuning lights or fringe stuff it is nice to use my MI3 to center then tweak the antenna from the sweet spot. I have the super heavy duty tripod base that is lag bolted to the 2x12's supporting the roof.



Carl
 

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