FM preamp?

[allen_in_texas]

I am a big fan of independent radio. In my town we have a college station and a volunteer station, both on the FM dial. Unfortunately reception quality of both stations can be affected by weather, and even on good days the college station signal is low. Any tips for improving this? Would a fancy antenna with a built-in preamp help, and if so, do I need to take into account the impedance of the antenna and the impedance of my receiver?

 

[Speedskater]

Here is a site with a ton of information on the FM band.

88–108 MHz

and for commercial products.

'EV's Best Top Rated FM and HD Radio Antenna Guide & Reviews'

EV's Best Top Rated FM and HD Radio Antenna Guide & Reviews

 

[markw]

You're best off first starting with the best antenna you can get away with. Outside is best, and the higher you can mount it, the better, and a directional (yagi) antenns aimed at the station is te best. There are omnidirectional antennas but they are only good for very local stations.

Also, FM is line of sight. Any major obstacles between the transmitter and your antenna will degrade the signal. Again, aim your antenna at the transmitter.

Sometimes, you receive signals that are reflected off a earby structure but these tend to be unpredictable and distorted and should be avoided.

As for "FM preamps", signal boosters do exist but they first need a clean signal to begin with. Ths amplify everythng including any unwanted background noise along with the desired signal.

As for impedance matching, this is pretty much a no brainer. Antennas nowadays come in 300 (flat wire) and 75 ohm (screw terminals, like cable TV) and nowadays virtally all receivers are 75 ohm. Should you wind up with a 300 ohm antenna, adapters are a dime a dozen.

 

[fmw]

Mark is correct. Just as speakers are the key to a great audio system, so antennas are to a great radio reception system. Any amplification between the antenna and the radio receiver will only make the signal louder, not cleaner.

 

[Adam]

You can also check if those stations are available online. Several radio stations stream their feeds now.

 

[Rickster71]

This is an interesting site that finds stations in your area, then it give signal strength, distance, location and other info.:
FM Fool - FM Signal Locater

 

[allen_in_texas]

Rickster, I'm totally geeking out on the FM Fool site. Very cool information there! As for amplifying noise, that makes sense. I'll redirect my attention toward getting a good directional antenna, and with the FM Fool site and a compass I'll know exactly where to aim it. Any favorite small antenna models (I live in a rented apartment and can't do anything too ambitious) out there? Any favorite DIY designs?

 

[Rickster71]

Hi Allen, if you have access to the attic.
I use a Winegard Model HD-6000, that I hang from the rafters.
Maybe something here: http://www.solidsignal.com/cview.asp?mc=03&d=over-the-air-tv-antennas-supplies&c=AM-FM Radio Antennas

 

[markw]

You say both stations are local. Just out of curiosity, what are you currently using for antenna?

FWIW, Antennacraft puts out two very good small FM antennas, one omnidirectional (FMSS), and the other a small directional yagi (FM-6). They have sold these for years with no chages simply they can't be beat for the price. I used the FMSS on the house I had prior to this one and it worked great for local stations.

 

[allen_in_texas]

You say both stations are local. Just out of curiosity, what are you currently using for antenna?

My current antenna is the little black wire that came with the receiver. I think it's time I upgrade.

 

[afterlife2]

I used this for my 1st floor apt FM reception and put it by the window pane inside in my apt with good results. I think you can use about any as long as it's by the window high up: Amazon.com : Audiovox Terk FM Only Stereo Antenna : Electronics
I moved up to a higher floor and now use a bigger antenna outside and attached it to my firescape with fantasic results for TV and FM: Amazon.com : Eagle Aspen Dtv2Buhf Directv 2-Bay Uhf Antenna : Video Antennas : Electronics
Hope this helps.

 

[allen_in_texas]

I used this for my 1st floor apt FM reception and put it by the window pane inside in my apt with good results. I think you can use about any as long as it's by the window high up: Amazon.com : Audiovox Terk FM Only Stereo Antenna : Electronics
I moved up to a higher floor and now use a bigger antenna outside and attached it to my firescape with fantasic results for TV and FM: Amazon.com : Eagle Aspen Dtv2Buhf Directv 2-Bay Uhf Antenna : Video Antennas : Electronics
Hope this helps.

The Audiovox Terk FM seems like a good solution for now--seems unobtrusive enough that my roommate won't complain about it being in the kitchen. Makes me look forward to owning a house and attaching all manner of ugly wires and antennas all over it.

I appreciate that Amazon has a clear warning about the choking hazard presented by the Eagle Aspen--that it has small parts and is not suitable for children under 3. I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever have a house and kids. Wouldn't want the little tots climbing up on the roof and choking on my antenna.

 

[afterlife2]

On the Terk If you're not near the window you might need to get an extension plug for it. By itself it's about 5-6 feet long