Maker Pro
Maker Pro

AM FM Antenna

I recently bought a powered antenna , the terk tower thing. Didnt do
crap. I have my amfm receiver in my basement and want to get decent
radio reception. I was thingking of building my own T antenna out of
300ohm wire for the FM and a loop for the am. Would it be better to
attach the T to the outside of the house (vinyl siding) and run to the
receiver? And then put the loop by the basement window. This would
be on the south side of the house. Thanks and any suggestions are
welcome. I also have a high pitch anywhere in the house for am
stations. Rather annoying!
 
P

PhattyMo

Jan 1, 1970
0
I recently bought a powered antenna , the terk tower thing. Didnt do
crap. I have my amfm receiver in my basement and want to get decent
radio reception. I was thingking of building my own T antenna out of
300ohm wire for the FM and a loop for the am. Would it be better to
attach the T to the outside of the house (vinyl siding) and run to the
receiver? And then put the loop by the basement window. This would
be on the south side of the house. Thanks and any suggestions are
welcome. I also have a high pitch anywhere in the house for am
stations. Rather annoying!


Yes,run a cable up the wall,or whatever,to an antenna outdoors.
Much better than trying to amplify what isn't there in the basement.

The noise on AM could be anything.. PC,light dimmer,DVD player,etc,etc,etc..
 
W

William Sommerwerck

Jan 1, 1970
0
If you're really serious about good reception, you should get an antenna
designed for FM, and put it in the attic.

I don't see putting a T antenna outside. If you stick it to the siding, you
won't be able to move or rotate it. It will gradually deteriorate, and
performance will go down a bit when it rains.

Radio waves pass through most non-conductors, so as long as the antenna is
above ground (that is, not in the basement -- dirt is a conductor) and near
the walls of the house, you should (?) get passable reception in a
strong-signal are.

I like the AudioPrism antennas. Not cheap, but unlike the Terks, they
actually work. * The 6500 is excellent in strong-signal and even suburban
areas, but is no longer made.

http://www.audioprism.com

* About 15 years ago, I brought a Terk antenna back from the SCES. It
actually gave poorer performance than 3' of wire.
 
G

GregS

Jan 1, 1970
0
I recently bought a powered antenna , the terk tower thing. Didnt do
crap. I have my amfm receiver in my basement and want to get decent
radio reception. I was thingking of building my own T antenna out of
300ohm wire for the FM and a loop for the am. Would it be better to
attach the T to the outside of the house (vinyl siding) and run to the
receiver? And then put the loop by the basement window. This would
be on the south side of the house. Thanks and any suggestions are
welcome. I also have a high pitch anywhere in the house for am
stations. Rather annoying!

Get one of the many new rooftop antennas designed for dish owners.
Make sure it does not have an FM trap. Listening to AM in a house these days
is pathetic. You have to get away from the house. Go in your car. Even thats
really bad sometimes. New divices including CFL's, put tons of junk on the AM
band.

greg
 
A

Allodoxaphobia

Jan 1, 1970
0
Get one of the many new rooftop antennas designed for dish owners.
Make sure it does not have an FM trap. Listening to AM in a house these days
is pathetic.

And, then, add to that trying to listen to AM (or FM) in a stucco
covered house! It had never dawned on me before. But, after nearly 40
years of home(s) ownership, our last move plunked us in a stucco covered
house. Bed-side clock radios -- not worth the space they take up on the
night stand. Even cellphone coverage (which is weak here, anyway) can
only be had by standing next to a (west side) window.

It ain't a perfect Faraday Shield -- but that "chiken wire" comes close.

Jonesy
 
Top