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Best fm antenna to buy? Roof type.

KevinCorr

KevinCorr

Super Member
Again!
Yes, I have been reading past threads and am left more confused the more I read.
Too much good info, most of which I don't understand. I just want to order one quickly. I am too busy to study the subject or build one. I have an antenna for internet on the end, at roof level, but not above the roof. Easy access without risking a big medical, hospital expense.

Sure I can get a few stations that I don't want. Strangely, they are much further away than the public station at the U that I want, 89.9. Hills and a weak transmitter are at fault I think.

Can I split off to several tuners, hopefully 3? Is distance a problem? My TV dish must be 80' from the house.

Some suggestions found on the old threads:

FM DX Antenna Co: http://www.fmdxantenna.com/products.php?cat=Outdoor+FM+Reception+Antennas#.UB4uLI7A7R4

Wineguard HD6065 http://www.winegard.com/offair/radio.php
http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-HD-6010-HD-Radio-Antenna/dp/B001HKM1HM/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

http://www.radioshack.com/family/in...K&utm_medium=RSCOM&utm_content=CT2032189&pg=1

Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna

I want to listen to these and more:
http://www.jazzwithbobparlocha.com/
http://www.npr.org/programs/piano-jazz/
http://www.npr.org/programs/world-cafe/
http://www.npr.org/2012/06/27/155853319/thistle-and-shamrock-solas?device=iphone
http://www.cartalk.com/
 
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Good luck. This a gray area for some reason, almost intangible to me. I'm lucky I can pull in all the locals I want, and go to the net for the other-market stations. I'd like to get WSM Nashville on a good night without turning on my computer or causing a power shortage firing up some motor-operated apparatus. I'm probably exaggerating but it could be easier...
 
If you are in a weak signal area-the best route is to get the biggest antenna you can afford (or have room for) and a rotor. The bigger antenna, the bigger gain-plus with a rotor, you can concentrate your gain to a specific area.
If you run more then one tuner, you need a distribution amp, other wise you are splitting you gain up.
I would recommend checking out the FM Tuner Info site, and perhaps becoming a member-lot's of great info there.
I have a Sansui TU-717 I have recapped, and set up with more narrow filters of DXing.
Be aware, the narrow filters effect the sound-it's a compromise, but you have the option of going to wide and getting the best sound.
Also consider a tuner that reject HD radio interference-this could be part of your problem-the Sansui TU-717 is one of them-Kenwood's with DLDD, (or the equivalent).
Good luck!:thmbsp::thmbsp:
 
Don't do much FM anymore, but used to. Had a 10' rooftop rotor Yagi antenna set up, that really got it done. About the only thing that would be better, is mounting it up higher, on a tower. Not not much on FM around here anymore, but still have an RCA Mini State w/jumped out FM trap in the attic, to a Marantz PMD800 tuner, that works pretty good. No matter what you do, if feeding an antenna to several tuners, you'll want an amplified distribution unit.
 
Thanks for the input. I will look into the distribution unit. Not really a poor area. My Tivoli 1 radio works in the basement with an amplified desk antenna. My Sansui works great in the garage but cannot get my station at all in the same room and same antenna as the Tivoli. That is my weakest tuner. My HK gets the station as the Tivoli in the basement but sounds thin, esp compared to the other 3 tuners.
My Rotels work at ground level and upstairs but I always have to fuss with the antennas. All 3 car fm radios work great in the driveway. My Cambridge Soundworks boom box pulls in the station better than any except the Tivoli.
 
I've tried several yagi style antennas and I would recommend the Antennacraft FM6. It's currently about $27 online which is a steal. It's cut for FM only which is key. It's also not that long or heavy to deal with. I've tried some longer yagi's from home improvement stores and they weren't very good, especially for the money. They need to receive too many TV frequencies. I have a pole on the roof with a rotator and the FM6 does great.
 
Seems like you've discovered the difference between highly sensitive/selective tuner front end sections. Years ago, was using a Dynaco AF6 tuner with rooftop rotor antenna. This set up is still highly regarded to this day. Biggest advantage of a rooftop rotor set up, is highly directional. You'll sometimes get two or three stations on the same frequency, by just moving it around. I used to keep a log book of this, that had a couple hundred stations in it. Atmospheric conditions have lot's to do with this, as sometimes couldn't get a distant station at all the next day, that was strong night before.
 
Thanks to all for the input. I will order one or two asap.
Renzor, interesting. This challenge will be easy I think because I am only trying to get one station. That is all we have that interests me. I will work on directional when I get an antenna. I now have a Metz whip antenna in the living room, about 4' long. I am constantly moving it around for the same station.


Right now it is Beal St Caravan: http://bealestreetcaravan.com/
 
You never know, as once you start recieving other stations you never even knew existed, you might get hooked. Most of the stations I fell in love with as a kid, were from out of town, and all I ever ever ended up listened to. Also, while not into FM anymore, my antenna set up lives on. Gave it to another AK member in a rural area couple years ago, and he likes it too.
 
Nice idea but this is the Arctic. Maybe I will be able to pull in Chicken, Alaska or Newnutzak Creek.
I know what you mean though. When I was a kid, my grampa had a late '40s Buick and we would sit in his car and picked up a stations several states away.
 
Yup, I understand, as never actually been to Alaska myself. Can read a map though, and looks like there's adjacent body's of land around there. Also, forgot to mention, while wavelengths off, recall the rooftop FM Yagi could really pull in UHF TV too. Believe that's where most of todays HD TV now resides, so probably in for a treat there too.
 
KevinCorr said:
Thanks for the input. I will look into the distribution unit. Not really a poor area. My Tivoli 1 radio works in the basement with an amplified desk antenna. My Sansui works great in the garage but cannot get my station at all in the same room and same antenna as the Tivoli. That is my weakest tuner. My HK gets the station as the Tivoli in the basement but sounds thin, esp compared to the other 3 tuners.
My Rotels work at ground level and upstairs but I always have to fuss with the antennas. All 3 car fm radios work great in the driveway. My Cambridge Soundworks boom box pulls in the station better than any except the Tivoli.
Click to expand...

Find the stations

http://www.radio-locator.com/

http://www.fmfool.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Coax Switch
Coax switch is the answer, zero or near zero loss. I listen to tuners one at a time. The splitters will cost you -7 db. You could try a splitter, they are very cheap for a 4 way. If it fails get the switch, I have several radios I will be racking so the switch is best for me.

http://www.amateurradiosupplies.com/coax-switches-ham-radio-s/61.htm

Type of antenna
If all of the stations are in the same direction from your place and distant a Yagi may be the way to go with a rotator. I have them 360, and lots of strong ones so I am going with an omni directional. I just purchased the Winegard which reviewers say their are getting 60 miles, well see.

I am also looking at a second antenna, via a HAM radio store listed above. The omni's from the industrial antenna guys offer superior performance but the $300 gives me pause.

Again from the HAM guys this VHF antenna looks interesting especially at the price, waiting to speak with their tech guy.

http://www.amateurradiosupplies.com/product-p/11529.htm

Type of Balun
The factory supplied ones with the Winegard lose -3db, the ones that the HAM operators use are 95% efficient and have lightning traps. Again I have a call into their tech guru but if it will work for my FM needs, I'll pay the extra bucks.
http://www.amateurradiosupplies.com/product-p/18003.htm

Height
Height matters, 30 feet looks like a magic number, mine will be mounted at 38 feet.

Channel Master has Masts that can extend up to 50 feet, definitely needs guy wires.

http://www.channelmaster.com/Antenna_Mast_Channel_Master_TV_antenna_Masts_s/26.htm

Cable
Suggest that you look at the quad shielded RG6 to minimize loss, and the cable acting as an antenna and adding noise. Copper core is better, aluminum is second, steel core is third.

http://www.amazon.com/C2G-Cables-Go...1344370833&sr=8-1&keywords=rg6+250+feet,+quad

Add a Mast?
Solid signal has masts at very reasonable prices, raising the mast is another story. Lots of videos on You tube. Look at the terrain, are there obstacles you need to clear for line of site to the transmitter towers?

If you cars work great in the driveway, I would go for an omni directional antenna on a 10 foot mast on the roof or chimney. The car antennas are omni directional. Quad cable is a must, the better HAM balun if they work in this application, which I am near certain they will.
 
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Thanks so much for all the good suggestions. I am going to order a selection of gear and experiment with different tuners.
I appreciate the input so much. Cheers.
 
I just got off the phone with Jeff, the owner of Amateur Radio Supplies.

http://www.amateurradiosupplies.com

He is making a tuned FM antenna for me at approx 1/10 of the cost of a Catherine Scala FM omni directional, just as solid and same performance. This may become a standard product in his catalog. Maybe we can get him to make an industrial quality FM Yagi?

In addition, I will be using a 95%+ efficient balun with the antenna. The baluns that come with the consumer antennas have a -3db loss aka 50% signal loss if I read them correctly. In addition, the HAM quality balun has a built in choke and lightning trap. If hit, the balun gets fried and not my equipment.

The industrial quality antenna and balun are about 3x the cost of the cheapo consumer antennas with 2x to 3x the performance and much greater survivability from high wind etc....

I also just purchased an industrial quality coax switch, zero DB loss vs the -7db loss for splitters. The switch will be fronting 4 tuners that are racked, and connecting them to the FM antenna. I may get Jeff to make the cables from the switch to various tuners, mostly RG6F

We will be making our own cables on site, but Jeff also makes the cables to order, soldered connectors aka the best connection.

Jeff said that he had received 4 calls for FM antennas in the last 24 hours before I called, if you were one of them and he said no, you might want to call him back. I think he just got into the FM business:thmbsp:
 
Not me yet. We are tied up trying to build an open stairway in the living room. I will contact him in a few days. Thanks for the input.
 
Not suprised antenna suppliers are busy lately, as HD broadcast TV's really kicking in. Can't blame the people, as when you're seeing monthly $80 monthly cable bill's coming in the mail, good reason to cut the cord. I'm half there myself, with Dish TV basic, and an attic antenna for local channels. Gotta say, The Olympics look great this way. Wasn't aware some of the baluns were so bad, as been using the Radio Shack job's for years. Fine time to find out now, as the big Yagi's been gone for years. Let us know how your new set up works out.
 
I will do that. I do have dish tv music but also have music areas of no TV so the fm is nice to have. Even if I set up internet streaming on the main room it would not be to the other areas.
 
Renzor213 said:
Not suprised antenna suppliers are busy lately, as HD broadcast TV's really kicking in. Can't blame the people, as when you're seeing monthly $80 monthly cable bill's coming in the mail, good reason to cut the cord. I'm half there myself, with Dish TV basic, and an attic antenna for local channels. Gotta say, The Olympics look great this way. Wasn't aware some of the baluns were so bad, as been using the Radio Shack job's for years. Fine time to find out now, as the big Yagi's been gone for years. Let us know how your new set up works out.
Click to expand...


Once everything is here, the mounting will begin.

Mast 1 on roof: Clearstream4 UHF antenna for HD TV 60 mi range aimed at Chicago 30 miles away, inline on the coax will be a fused lightening arrestor so my tv doesn't get fried . Also mounting a Winegard Omni directional FM on same 10 foot mast with an industrial replacement balun. Goodbye Direct TV $1000 per year

Mast 2 will have the Omni directional FM with ground plane that Jeff is building for me with an industrial balun. This will be run to my MR-78, and CT 1010 etc

Both masts will be tied together on a common ground wire and run to ground outside the house.

About half of the parts are here now.
 
Here is an example of the method to provide the correct ground system as required by code.

If one does have an issue due to a lighting strike or a nearby strike, one's insurance company might take issue with the installation, if it is not up to code.

Tying the antenna ground to the service entrance ground provides a safety factor, in case there is an electrical potential difference between the grounds.

All of the antenna feed lines need to pass through a grounding block prior to entering the residence.
 

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